Abstract

TETA, Pablo et al. Notes on the taxonomy of Calomys laucha (Rodentia, Cricetidae), with the designation of a neotype. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2017, vol.24, n.2, pp.419-429. ISSN 0327-9383.

Calomys laucha (Fischer, 1814) is a small phyllotine rodent (<20 g), broadly distributed from northern Paraguay and southeastern Bolivia to southern Brazil, Uruguay and central Argentina. We provide an update on the genetic composition of this species. Our results support previous findings and indicate that C. laucha is composed of two main clades, one encompassing populations of southern Brazil, Uruguay and the Argentinean Mesopotamia, and another including those from the remainder of the distribution in Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. The boundary between these groups appears to converge along the Paraná-Paraguay rivers, which we presume act as a geographic barrier. As in other species of mammals described by Félix de Azara, the type locality of C. laucha is uncertain. Previous authors restricted it to eastern Paraguay based partially on historical misinterpretations. This restriction is inappropriate because currently only Calomys tener is recorded there. To stabilize the taxonomy of C. laucha we designate a neotype for the species, fixing with this act its terra typica to a locality in northern Buenos Aires province, in central-eastern Argentina.

Keywords : Calomys tener; Félix de Azara; Phyllotini; Sigmodontinae.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )