New data on the endemic Patagonian long-clawed mouse Notiomys edwardsii (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

PARDIÑAS, U.F.J.; UDRIZAR SAUTHIER, D.; TETA, P.; D'ELÍA, G.

MAMMALIA

Año: 2008 vol. 72 p. 273 - 285

0025-1461

The monotypic Notiomys is the most poorly known genus of Abrotrichini, a recently erected tribe of South American sigmodontine rodents. Based on a large sample, mostly recovered from owl pellets but that also includes trapped individuals, we refine the known geographic distribution of this mouse (providing 23 new recording localities), relate it with the main Patagonian environmental units, add new data on its type locality, and assess its conservation status. In addition, we present a detailed external and craniodental description, as well as data showing geographic variation of some skull features. Finally, we provide preliminary data on genetic variation (cytochrome b gene sequences) that shows the existence of an important degree of observed differentiation (ca. 5 %) between the Somuncura plateu population in northwestern Patagonia and the remaining populations analyzed.