Diversity, systematic and conservation of rodents from the southwestern end of the Interior Atlantic Forest.

Abstract

Diversity, systematic and conservation of rodents from the southwestern end of the Interior Atlantic Forest. We present a synthesis of the current knowledge of the rodents from the province of Misiones, Argentina, with emphasis on taxonomic, chromosomal, biogeographic and conservation issues. In this province, the order is represented by 7 families: Sciuridae (1 genus, 1 species), Cricetidae (17, 24), Caviidae (2, 2), Cuniculidae (1, 1), Dasyproctidae (1, 1), Echymyidae (3, 3) and Erethizontidae (1, 1). From 1 to 5 species-depending on taxonomic authorities-are endemic to Misiones. We briefly discuss some taxonomic problems, highlighting those questions that still persist (e.g., the complex situation of the genus Brucepattersonius). For several species, we provide novel chromosome data and compare it with the information available for Brazil. An analysis of the species richness at the provincial level indicates that the highest values for this parameter occur towards the south-central portion of the territory, in an area of interdigitation between the Interior Atlantic Forest and the ecoregion of Campos y Malezales. We discuss the role of large rivers in the region as barriers to the dispersal of this fauna (e.g., the Paraná between Argentina and eastern Paraguay). At least 9 species of rodents with distribution in the province of Misiones have been classified under some category of threat or near to the threat. In all cases, the survival of these taxa depends on maintaining the integrity and connectivity between forest remnants.