Nonvolant mammals (Mammalia: Didelphimorphia and Rodentia) of the lower Xingu river

Author(s)

Leandro Perez Godoy

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2015-05-22

Examining board members

Alexandre Reis Percequillo; Ana Paula Carmignotto; Leonora Pires Costa

• Advisor: Alexandre Reis Percequillo

Abstract

The Amazon region stands out as the most extensive and diverse area of tropical rainforest in the world. This high diversity is especially true for the small rodents and didelphid marsupials, which compose the most diversified group of neotropical mammals, with estimates of nearly 107 species, 91 of those are endemic to this biome. However, our knowledge about the species limits and geographic distribution, as well as their origins are still in its infancy. Several hypotheses arouse to explain the Amazon diversity, and the riverine barrier seems appropriate as an interpretation of diversification for this region, especially for rivers like Xingu, which has a straight course and its tributaries flowing through a steep slope from the northern Brazilian Shield. In this context, this study aimed to present a detailed and commented list of the non-volant small mammals of the lower Xingu river region and discuss some biogeographic aspects of these groups across the Amazon Basin. I analyzed about 320 specimens obtained from zoological collections and from the \"Faunal Assessment, Rescue and Scientifical Using Program of UHE Belo Monte\" (Programa de Monitoramento, Resgate e Aproveitamento Científico da Fauna da Usina Hidrelétrica de Belo Monte). There were performed quali- and quantitative analyses of morphological traits from skin and skull, and molecular analyses, through sequencing of mitochondrial genes cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. The commented list is composed by 35 species, being 16 didelphid marsupials, 12 sigmodontine rodents and seven echimyid rodents. For every species, is presented information about type locality, geographic distribution, identification and taxonomic remarks. The species list obtained here to the low Xingu river region stands out for its expressive richness with records of rare species, such as Glironia venusta, Gracilinanus emiliae, Marmosa lepida, Lonchothrix emiliae, Dactylomys dactylinus, Makalata didelphoides, Echimys chrysurus, besides the presence of four possibly undescribed species from the genera Neacomys, Oligoryzomys and Monodelphis. A similarity analysis based on the non-volant small mammal species composition shows the eastern Amazon as a distinct biogeographical region inside this basin. Regarding the molecular analysis, it was verified that the Xingu river does not act as a primary agent of diversification for most of the species under its biogeographic influence, but as a diversity support at many levels in the eastern Amazon. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/15793-0 - Small non-flying mammals (Mammalia: Didelphimorphia and Rodentia) of the lower Rio Xingu
• Grantee: Leandro Perez Godoy
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master