We evaluated the potential for interspecific competition for forage between huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) and livestock in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina. We studied winter diets based on microhistological analysis of fecal samples. Huemul selected herbs and shrubs, sheep showed preference for herbs and grasses, and cattle selected grasses. As predicted for small‐bodied species, huemul had a narrower dietary niche than did larger bodied cattle. Competition for forage would be more likely between huemul and sheep than between huemul and cattle. Our results might be helpful to managers in areas where domestic and wild ungulates live in sympatry in order to reduce competition, especially in wintering areas where food is scarce.
We describe a new species of the Liolaemus bibronii complex. The new species differs from other members of the bibronii-alticolor group in color pattern, coloration and squamation. Liolaemus cyaneinotatus is endemic to the Auca Mahuida volcano in northwestern Patagonia.
We update the list of lizards of Argentina, reporting a total of 261 species from the country, arranged in 27 genera and 10 families. Introduced species and dubious or erroneous records are discussed. Taxonomic, nomenclatural and distributional comments are provided when required. Considering species of probable occurrence in the country (known to occur in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay at localities very close to the Argentinean border) and still undescribed taxa, we estimate that the total number of species in Argentina could exceed 300 in the next few years.Key words: Reptiles, Liolaemus, Phymaturus, South America, list
ResumenActualizamos la lista de lagartijas de la Argentina, presentamos un total de 261 especies para el país, organizados en 27 géneros y 10 familias. Especies introducidas, registros dudosos o erróneos son discutidos. Comentarios taxonómicos, nomenclaturales o de distribución son incorporados si son requeridos. Considerando especies de probable existencia en nuestro país (que se encuentran en Bolivia, Brasil, Chile y Paraguay en localidades muy cercanas al límite con Argentina) y taxas aún no descriptos, estimamos que el número total de especies en Argentina puede exceder las 300 en los próximos años.
Evolutionary correlations between phenotypic and environmental traits characterize adaptive radiations. However, the lizard genus
Liolaemus
, one of the most ecologically diverse terrestrial vertebrate radiations on earth, has so far shown limited or mixed evidence of adaptive diversification in phenotype. Restricted use of comprehensive environmental data, incomplete taxonomic representation and not considering phylogenetic uncertainty may have led to contradictory evidence. We compiled a 26‐taxon dataset for the
Liolaemus gracilis
species group, representing much of the ecological diversity represented within
Liolaemus
and used environmental data to characterize how environments occupied by species' relate to phenotypic evolution. Our analyses, explicitly accounting for phylogenetic uncertainty, suggest diversification in phenotypic traits toward the present, with body shape evolution rapidly evolving in this group. Body shape evolution correlates with the occupation of different structural habitats indicated by vegetation axes suggesting species have adapted for maximal locomotory performance in these habitats. Our results also imply that the effects of phylogenetic uncertainty and model misspecification may be more extensive on univariate, relative to multivariate analyses of evolutionary correlations, which is an important consideration in analyzing data from rapidly radiating adaptive radiations.
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