Distribution of sigmodontine rodents (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in the cloud highland grasslands of Northwestern Argentina. The sigmodontine rodents community of cloud highland grasslands of Northwestern Argentina is reported based on records obtained by trapping, analyses of owl pellets, study of museum specimens and literature. We recorded 34 species for this environment in Argentina, which is dominated by the Tribes Akodontini and Phyllotini. The Tribes Abrothrichini, Oryzomyini and Reithrodontini are poorly represented and two incertae sedis species complete this assemblage. Only Necromys lactens and Phyllotis osilae are characteristic elements of this environment and their ecotonal areas. Akodon boliviensis, A. lutescens, A. simulator, A. spegazzinii, A. sylvanus , Reithrodon auritus and Phyllotis anitae distributed only in the south of the study area. Recent additions to the sigmodontine fauna of this region indicate that more work is needed to reach an adequate picture of the diversity and distribution for this group in this environment. Key words. Distribution. High altitudinal grasslands. Northwestern Argentina. Sigmodontinae. RESUMENSobre la base de registros obtenidos mediante trampeos, análisis de regurgitados de lechuzas, estudio de especímenes de colecciones y revisión bibliográfica, reportamos las especies que componen la comunidad de roedores sigmodontinos de pastizales de neblina del noroeste argentino. Se registraron 34 especies para este ambiente en Argentina, dominadas por representantes de las tribus Akodontini y

Seven new species of Myotis have been recently described from South

Morphological and molecular studies allowed us to recognize a new species of Oxymycterus from the southern end of the Yungas of Argentina. External morphologic traits allow the new species, Oxymycterus wayku, to be differentiated from O. paramensis and O. akodontius, the two currently recognized species for northwestern Argentina, as well as from the remaining species of the genus. Those traits include very dark general coloration, ears covered with nearly black hairs, a white spot on the chin, and claws on fore and hind feet long and robust. Cranial characteristics of the new species include wide and relatively shallow zygomatic notches, proportionally short incisive foramina and molar series, and a relatively robust braincase compared to O. paramensis. Phylogenetic analysis based on cytochrome b DNA sequences corroborates the distinctiveness of Oxymycterus wayku n. sp. Observed divergence values support this distinction. This new species is particularly important from a conservation viewpoint due to its rarity and the advanced level of alteration of its habitat.

:  During a long-term study on biodiversity of bats in the Yungas and Entre Ríos provinces, 1,304 specimens of bats included in the families Noctilionidae, Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae, and Molossidae were collected and checked for filarioids. Litomosoides molossi Esslinger, 1973 was recovered from the thoracic and abdominal cavities of Molossus molossus (prevalence [P] = 6.4%); Litomosoides chandleri Esslinger, 1973 from Artibeus planirostris (P = 6.9%), Sturnira oporaphilum (P = 66.6%), Sturnira erythromos (P = 23.8%), Sturnira lilium (P = 7.2%), and Eumops perotis (P = 50%); and Litomosoides saltensis n. sp. was collected from Eptesicus furinalis (P = 1.7%). In this paper, we emend the description of L. molossi; describe a new species, Litomosoides saltensis n. sp., on the basis of 1 female specimen; and report for the first time L. molossi and L. chandleri parasitizing Argentinean bats, expanding the host and locality records. Litomosoides molossi exhibits a slender buccal capsule, with an anterior segment transparent, and the posterior chitinous portion displays 2 thickenings in the first third; possesses 1 dorsal prominent cephalic papilla and 4 labial papillae distributed around the mouth; cuticle with lateral punctuations all along the hypodermic chords in both sexes; and male with area rugosa and tail without cloacal papillae. In L. chandleri, the lateral punctuations are distributed on the posterior extremity of the body in both sexes. Litomosoides saltensis n. sp. displays a thick buccal capsule with a posterior segment well cuticularized, possessing 2 thickenings in the anterior half; 4 labial and 2 ventral cephalic papillae; a globular vulva located anterior to the esophagus-intestine junction; cuticle with lateral punctuations in the posterior extremity of the body; and tail with salient phasmids. We also provide a taxonomic key for the identification of the Litomosoides sp. of bat dwelling. Long-term studies and large sample sizes are needed to detect the presence of Litomosoides sp. in bats, in contrast to the findings in cricetid rodents, which seem to be more frequently collected.