Abstract

TARABORELLI, Paula; SASSI, Paola  and  GIANNONI, Stella M.. Morphologic-ecological records of Microcavia australis (Caviidae, Rodentia) in the Puna of San Juan Province, Argentina. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2007, vol.14, n.1, pp.107-112. ISSN 0327-9383.

All available information about history of life of Microcavia australis corresponds to zones of Espinal-Monte transition and the temperate Monte in Mendoza; there are no references for other places in the Monte or for the Puna. In this work, evidences of the presence of M. australis appear at altitudes higher than 2500 m, the highest altitude previously cited for this species. Its morphology, habitat and diet are also described. The study was carried out at El Leoncito National Park, San Juan (2953 m, 31º 47' S, 69º 11' W). Our results show a decrease in body size as altitude and climatic rigor increase. This could be related to physiological and behavioral strategies in response to lower availability of energy and to environmental restrictions. Nevertheless, new captures should be carried out in order to analyze in more detail this peculiar record of M. australis in the Puna.

Keywords : Environmental restrictions; Puna.

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