Erika Cuellar Soto

Sultan Qaboos University | SQU · Department of Biology

Abstract: Abrothrix andina is traditionally regarded as a widespread Andean sigmodontine rodent, with several nominal forms described from Argentinean, Chilean, and Peruvian populations considered junior synonyms. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated that topotypes of the Argentinean Akodon gossei, are deeply divergent from the Peruvian Akodo...

The caviomorph rodent Abrocoma uspallata Braun, J.K. and Mares, M.A. (2002). Systematics of the Abrocoma cinerea species complex (Rodentia: Abrocomidae), with a description of a new species of Abrocoma . J. Mammal . 83: 1–19, doi: 10.1093/jmammal/83.1.1, stands as the most recently described species within its genus and remains one of the least stu...

The cricetid rodent Abrothrix andina purportedly comprises five taxa, described from specimens collected across three countries, spanning approximately 20 degrees of latitude. This classification, largely based on morphological studies conducted in the early 20th century, has not been reassessed using modern techniques. The preliminary results pre...

Rodents have received substantial attention in the study of olfaction. However, the rhinarium, the naked part of the nose, which plays an important role in chemical, tactile, and thermal perception, has been relatively overlooked. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the rhinarium morphology and spatially associated structures (i.e., upp...

Limited vouchered records exist for Cuniculus paca , the second-largest living caviomorph rodent, documenting its southernmost occurrence. Here, we introduce four new recording sites based on skulls probably discarded by local hunters, with three located in Misiones Province and the fourth marking the first supported evidence in the neighboring Cor...

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the rhinarium morphology and associated features in sigmodontine rodents, a highly diverse group within the Cricetidae family. The research encompassed 483 specimens representing 145 species, accounting for 75% of genera in the clade, including all 13 recognized tribes, three incertae sedis genera, an...

Ctenomys paramilloensis Roig et al. (1975. Ctenomys paramilloensis, una nueva especie de tucu-tuco de la Sierra de Uspallata, provincia de Mendoza (Rodentia, Octo-dontidae). In: Resúmenes IV Jornada Argentina de Zoología. Corrientes, Argentina), was coined to represent populations for this caviomorph (Hystricomorpha) subterranean rodent inhabiting...

Sigmodontines (Rodentia: Cricetidae), the largest living radiation of Neotropical rodents (90 genera, 489 species), show about 10% having specializations related to a semiaquatic habitat. In addition, this mode of life is unequally distributed among the several clades which compose the subfamily, concentrated in the Ichthyomyini and in a few large-...

A preliminary approach to the comparative anatomy of the rhinarium in sigmodontine rodents, the most speciose living subfamily of the Cricetidae was conducted. Studied material covered about 65% of the generic content of the clade representing the 13 tribal groups today recognized plus some incertae sedis genera as well as two murids (Mus and Rattu...

Aim: Comprehensive, global information on species' occurrences is an essential biodiversity variable and central to a range of applications in ecology, evolution, biogeography and conservation. Expert range maps often represent a species' only available distributional information and play an increasing role in conservation assessments and macroeco...

We present an update on the taxonomy, distribution, ecology, threats, and conservation status of Bolivian Xenarthra (orders Cingulata and Pilosa) based on articles published between 2010 and 2021. The Andean hairy armadillo Chaetophractus nationi has been synonymized with the less threatened C. vellero­ sus. Cabassous squamicaudis has been revalida...

The monotypic genus Salinomys (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) includes tiny mice with specialist adaptations to desert habitats characteristic of Argentinian shrubland. We report on a population of Salinomys delicatus from Central La Pampa Province, Argentina, representing a 450 km southerly extension to its known distribution. Importantly, this stress...

In the Andean portion of northern Patagonia, populations of Ctenomys are found from low-elevation plains to high-elevation meadows and valleys. Despite their prevalence, the taxonomy of these subterranean rodents remains poorly resolved. Using genetic and morphological data obtained from museum specimens and animals collected in the field, we exami...

Throughout their range, jaguars (Panthera onca) are persecuted for killing livestock, posing a widespread and serious threat to their survival. Human-jaguar conflict occurs across a very large variety of geographic, agronomic and socio-economic contexts and across heterogeneous communities. We conducted seventeen case studies across seven countries...

Context The Dry Chaco spans more than 87 million hectares across Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. This unique forest system has experienced extensive loss and fragmentation due to land-use change, with different land-use histories in the three countries. This forest loss has altered landscape connectivity for the Dry Chaco’s associated biota. Obj...

Although guanacos (Lama guanicoe) are widely distributed throughout much of their historic range, they are often restricted to small, isolated populations that are at risk of inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity. Here we document and interpret baseline patterns of genetic variation in a guanaco population inhabiting in the Bolivian Chaco that i...

Although guanacos (Lama guanicoe) are widely distributed throughout much of their historic range, they are often restricted to small, isolated populations that are at risk of inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity. Here we document and interpret baseline patterns of genetic variation in a guanaco population inhabiting in the Bolivian Chaco that i...

Although guanacos (Lama guanicoe) are widely distributed throughout much of their historic range, they are often restricted to small, isolated populations that are at risk of inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity. Here we document and interpret baseline patterns of genetic variation in a guanaco population inhabiting in the Bolivian Chaco that i...

The monotypic genus Salinomys (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) includes tiny mice with specialist adaptations to desert habitats characteristic of Argentinian shrubland. We report on a population of Salinomys delicatus from Central La Pampa Province, Argentina, representing a 450 km southerly extension to its known distribution. Importantly, this stress...

Woody plant encroachment (WPE) is reshaping the physiognomy of grasslands and savannahs worldwide. At the same time, this habitat conversion is accelerating the loss of associated biodiversity. In general, studies on WPE have focused on abiotic factors, singly or in combination, that trigger this phenomenon. Despite its ecological relevance, very f...

Palm squirrels of the genus Funambulus are reported as invasive in the Sultanate of Oman for the first time. These squirrels have been recorded in seven locations in northern Oman contributing to a total of 11 records. Seven records were of the Five-striped northern palm squirrel, Funambulus pennantii (Wroughton, 1905) and species identification wa...

Se evaluaron 179 especies, teniendo al tapiti Sylvilagus brasiliensis y al Dasypus septemcinctus como especies no evaluadas NE (ver capítulo Xenarthra). Entre las especies evaluadas, se resalta que 29 especies fueron catalogadas como Datos Insuficientes o DD, esto significa que la información disponible sobre estas especies en nuestro país es tan e...

Habitat loss through the transformation of open ecosystems (savannahs, grasslands) into scrubby habitats dominated by woody species may be playing an important role in the decline and extinction of species. The increase in the density of woody species is changing the physiognomy of the Chacoan pampas system and this effectively results in the loss...

According to previous studies the original vegetation of Southeast corner of the Kaa-Iya National Park was the Chacoan forest on well drained soils. However, the current landscape is formed by a mosaic of serial stages in different degrees of maturity. In order to visualize and quantify situations of retraction or invasion of vegetation communities...

The subtropical dry forests are experiencing rapid clearing in the southamerican Great Chaco region, mainly for soybean production in Argentina. This is causing biodiversity loss and soil salinization. This forests are unique for the floristic richness and the dense forest cover in a region characterized by semiarid climatic conditions. The authors...

In order to improve the knowledge of terrestrial fauna in the Jabal Samhan Reserve – in southern Oman – several systematic surveys have been carried out in this region. Four specimens of the bushy-tailed jird, the gerbilline Sekeetamys calurus (Thos.) were collected from three localities. This is the first record for the species in Oman and also th...

In the Bolivian Chaco, the tortoise Geochelone carbonaria is an important reptile to indigenous people for subsistence purposes and in traditional medicine. In Bolivia the species is considered near threatened, while observations suggest it is less abundant near communities and cattle ranches. However, understanding of its biology and ecology is li...

Patrones de desplazamiento de la peta negra-Geochelone carbonaria (Testudines: Testudinidae)-en el Chaco boliviano Abstract In the Bolivian Chaco, the tortoise Geochelone carbonaria is an important reptile to indigenous people for subsistence purposes and in traditional medicine. In Bolivia the species is considered near threatened, while observati...

Sampling animal populations with camera traps has become increasingly popular over the past two decades, particularly for species that are cryptic, elusive, exist at low densities or range over large areas. The results have been widely used to estimate population size and density. We analyzed data from 13 camera trap surveys conducted at five sites...

Despite the potential importance of temporal separation for the coexistence of competing species, no study has found significant segregation at the circadian level between jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor) in sympatry. Using data from camera trap surveys (wet and dry seasons), we have evaluated the activity patterns of both species an...

We used camera traps to survey Geoffroy's cats, Oncifelis geoffroyi, at six dry forest sites in Bolivia. Cumulative activity patterns across all sites are principally nocturnal though the species is active by day in both summer and winter. At two sites the number of captures and recaptures was sufficient to estimate abundance using the software Cap...

In comparison with the Neotropical big cats, jaguar ( Panthera onca L.) and puma ( Felis concolor L.), medium and small felids are poorly studied. Furthermore, studying wild felids in forest habitats is extremely difficult using direct methods given that most species are principally nocturnal and secretive (Gittleman 1996). Indirect methods are the...

Community wildlife management is being tested across the tropics as a means of promoting the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife resources. Key to successful programs is the effective participation of local hunters and communities in monitoring, planning, decision-making and implementation. We evaluate one method to achieve this participat...

This paper reports on efforts to trap jaguars Panthera onca on camera in the dry forests of the Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park in Bolivia. Ad hoc camera trapping provided certain information on jaguar presence and habits, but was limited in application. Activity patterns showed that jaguars are active all day, particularly at one of three sit...

Abstract This article is the first reported use of camera trapping to estimate population densities of lowland tapirs Tapirus terrestris according to capture-recapture statistics, applying a systematic survey methodology developed for tigers in Asia and recently applied to jaguars in Latin America. We surveyed three sites in the Kaa-Iya del Gran Ch...

Izoceño hunters from 22 communities in the Bolivian Chaco voluntarily recorded data on over 5000 captured animals between 1997 and 2000. This paper presents and assesses the quality of biological information derived from hunter self-monitoring records. The nine most commonly hunted mammals were four ungulates ( Mazama gouazoubira, Tayassu tajacu, T...

Revista Boliviana de Ecología y Conservación Ambiental