Morphological redescription, phylogenetic position, and distribution of the near threatened cavy Microcavia shiptoni (Thomas, 1925), with a key for the living species of Microcavia

Abstract

The genus Microcavia includes six species of terrestrial, medium-sized, living cavies that occupy arid to semiarid environments at both high and low elevations in western and southern South America. Among these, Microcavia shiptoni is one of the least known species, being recorded only at two isolated localities from northwestern Argentina. Genetic information and a detailed morphological characterization are lacking for this elusive species. In this work, we start filling these gaps by including M. shiptoni in a phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial DNA sequences that includes five of the six currently recognized species and place M. shiptoni as sister to M. niata in a clade of highland species. In addition, using both qualitative and quantitative morphological traits, we provided an emended diagnosis for this taxon and a key for the living species of the genus. Finally, we present, the first notes on the natural history of this species.

Late-Holocene environmental conditions revealed by a small mammal assemblage in mountain areas of Northwestern Argentina

“…Our conclusions would not have been possible without the noteworthy increase in knowledge on taxonomy, distribution, ecological requirements and fossil record of small mammals of the region in recent years, which begins to show general trends on the evolution of these communities in the Quaternary and their close connection with the environmental changes (e.g. d 'Hiriart et al, 2015'Hiriart et al, , 2017'Hiriart et al, , 2021a'Hiriart et al, , 2021bGomez et al, 2012;Guilardi et al, 2020;Jayat et al, 2007Jayat et al, , 2008aJayat et al, , 2008bJayat et al, , 2010Jayat et al, , 2011Jayat et al, , 2016Jayat et al, , 2017Jayat et al, , 2018Jayat et al, , 2020Jayat et al, , 2021Nanni et al, 2012;Ortiz et al, 2000Ortiz et al, , 2011aOrtiz et al, , 2011bOrtiz et al, , 2019Ortiz andJayat, 2007a, 2012;Ortiz and Pardiñas, 2001;Ortiz-Tempel et al, 2022;Teta et al, 2011Teta et al, , 2013Teta et al, , 2022Teta et al, , 2023. Nevertheless, although several Quaternary small mammal assemblages were described for NWA from different periods, our knowledge about short-, medium-, and long-term changes in these communities is still incipient.…”