Satellite telemetry is an increasingly utilized technology in wildlife research, and current devices can track individual animal movements at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. However, as we enter the golden age of satellite telemetry, we need an in-depth understanding of the main technological, species-specific and environmental factors that determine the success and failure of satellite tracking devices across species and habitats. Here, we assess the relative influence of such factors on the ability of satellite telemetry units to provide the expected amount and quality of data by analyzing data from over 3,000 devices deployed on 62 terrestrial species in 167 projects worldwide. We evaluate the success rate in obtaining GPS fixes as well as in transferring these fixes to the user and we evaluate failure rates. Average fix success and data transfer rates were high and were generally better predicted by species and unit characteristics, while environmental characteristics influenced the variability of performance. However, 48% of the unit deployments ended prematurely, half of them due to technical failure. Nonetheless, this study shows that the performance of satellite telemetry applications has shown improvements over time, and based on our findings, we provide further recommendations for both users and manufacturers.

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data.

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal‐central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation‐related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data.

Andean and Pampas cats are 2 Neotropical small felids of the genus Leopardus. Until now, most of the scarce morphometric data published for these felids, especially the rare Andean cat (L. jacobita), were obtained from museum skins and skulls of undetermined sex. Here, we present morphological data from Pampas cats (L. colocolo) and the largest sample of live Andean cats (5 Andean cats and 6 Pampas cats) captured in the Argentine High Andes. We provide a craniometric analysis of all available adult skulls of Andean cats, including the first known female specimens of Andean and Pampas cats (n = 42). We nearly double the number of published external measurements for live Andean cats, and provide measurements and photos of all available skulls of adult Andean cats, including 2 new skulls with known sex. The data show that Andean cats are larger than Pampas cats and morphometric differences may be related to sexual dimorphism in both species. Principal component analysis of skull measurements showed almost complete separation of Andean and Pampas cats.El Gato Andino y el Gato del Pajonal son 2 félidos Neotropicales de pequeño tamaño pertenecientes al género Leopardus. Hasta el momento la mayoría de la escasa información morfométrica publicada acerca de estos 2 félidos, especialmente del Gato Andino, fue obtenida de pieles de museo y cráneos, en su mayoría sin sexo conocido. En este trabajo presentamos datos morfométricos de la muestra más grande de animales vivos nunca antes estudiada de Gato Andino y Gato del Pajonal (5 Gatos Andinos y 6 Gatos del Pajonal) capturados en los altos Andes de Argentina y un análisis craneométrico de los 6 cráneos de especímenes adultos disponibles a nivel mundial de Gato Andino (presentando el primer ejemplar hembra) y 42 cráneos de Gato del Pajonal. En el presente estudio casi duplicamos la cantidad de información disponible acerca de las medidas externas de especímenes frescos para Gato Andino y proveemos medidas y fotos de los 6 cráneos disponibles de adultos de Gato Andino a nivel mundial incluyendo 2 nuevos de sexo conocido. Los datos muestran que el Gato Andino es de mayor tamaño y las diferencias morfométricas podrían estar relacionadas al dimorfismo sexual en ambas especies. El Análisis de Componentes Principales, separa casi por completo al Gato Andino del Gato del Pajonal.

New data on the distribution and natural history of the lesser grison (Galictis cuja), hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus chinga), and culpeo (Lycalopex culpaeus) in northwestern Argentina Abstract: We present a total of 190 new distribution records of three little-known mammalian carnivores (Conepatus chinga, Galictis cuja, and Lycalopex culpaeus) obtained using camera trap techniques and direct observation in the highlands of Jujuy province, northwestern Argentina. These new records extend the present known distributions of these three species to the west of the province and to higher altitudes, and provide additional information on habitat association and activity patterns.

Three protocols (Ketamine–Medetomidine, Ketamine–Xylazine and Ketamine–Medetomidine–Midazolam) were used to immobilize 2 sympatric wild cat species, the critically endangered Andean cat (Leopardus jacobita), and the relatively more common Pampas cat (L. colocolo), in the high Andes Mountains of Argentina between September 2011 and May 2016. Based on 8 Andean cat capture events and 9 Pampas cat capture events, we determined that the ketamine–medetomidine combination safely induced 45 minutes of anesthesia at a dosage range of ketamine: 6–9 mg/kg, medetomidine: 0.05–0.08 mg/kg for field immobilization. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation remained within acceptable limits during all captures, but we had cases of hyperthermia in animals captured during the day. There was no evidence of a decline in the health condition of any animals recaptured 148–1,290 days post–initial capture. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.

A pelt of an Andean Cat specimen was discovered in La Rioja Province, Argentina, a region with no previous data recorded, located in a large distribution gap between the two currently identified evolutionarily significant units (ESU).  This new record not only improves our knowledge about the species distribution but can also provide relevant genetic information for a better understanding of the relationship between the two ESU.

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