Molecular systematics, taxonomy and biogeography of the genus Cavia (Rodentia: Caviidae)

Abstract

Phylogenetic analyses were conducted on cytochrome b sequence data of the most geographically and taxonomically broad sampling of Cavia taxa to date. Primary objectives included providing the first extensive molecular phylogenetic framework for the genus, testing the taxonomic and systematic hypotheses of previous authors and providing insight into the evolutionary and biogeographic history of the genus. Support was found for the morphologically defined species C. aperea, C. tschudii, C. magna and C. fulgida and the taxonomic placement of taxa previously subject to conflicting taxonomic opinions (e.g. C. nana, C. anolaimae and C. guianae) was further resolved. Additionally, we elevate the Ecuadorian C. a. patzelti to species status, restrict the distributional limits and suggest taxonomic affiliations of some C. tschudii subspecies, and provide strong evidence for the geographic origin of guinea pig domestication. Finally, we provide an estimated evolutionary timeline for the genus Cavia, which appears to extend well into the late Miocene.

A new karyotype for Cavia magna (Rodentia: Caviidae) from an estuarine island and C. aperea from adjacent mainland

“…The systematic relationships of C. magna to the other species occurring in this region have been partially resolved (Dunnum and Salazar-Bravo 2010); however, the placement of C. intermedia remains uncertain. C. magna and C. intermedia occupy the same general biogeographical province, both occurring in the mesic coastal areas of southeastern Brazil.…”

Four Events of Host Switching in Aspidoderidae (Nematoda) Involve Convergent Lineages of Mammals

“…This phenomenon, known as the Great American Interchange, resulted in the evolutionary diversification of several groups with different origins and evolutionary trajectories (D'El´ıa, 2003;Opazo, 2005;Poux et al, 2006;Weksler, 2006;Dunnum and Salazar-Bravo, 2010). As a result of this diversification, some of these groups converged to exhibit similar habits, as well as morphological and even physiological features.…”

Comportamento e organização social do preá Cavia magna (Rodentia: Caviidae)

“…2), que é dividida nas subfamílias Dolichotinae (Dolichotis), Hydrocherinae (Kerodon e Hydrochoerus) e Caviinae (Cavia, Galea e Microcavia) (Rowe e Honeycutt, 2002, Trillmich et al, 2004Woods, 2005; Dunnum e Salazar-Bravo, 2010). As relações filogenéticas da família foram abordadas em estudos de dados moleculares (Bonatto et al, 1995, Schmitt et al, 2001Rowe e Honeycutt, 2002;Schmitt et al, 2002;Trillmich et al, 2004;Spotorno et al, 2006;Dunnum e Salazar-Bravo, 2010) e comportamentais (Furnari e Ades, 2002 Ximenez, 1980, Cavia aperea Erxleben, 1777 e C. intermedia Cherem et al, 1999. As relações filogenéticas do gênero (Fig. 2) A partir de comparações morfológicas e genéticas, a espécie C. intermedia parece estar mais próxima evolutivamente de C. magna do que de C. aperea (Cherem et al, 1999;Schmitt et al, 2001;Schmitt et al, 2002;Kanitz, 2009).…”

“…Além de C. magna ser apontada como a espécie mais antiga do gênero, também é a mais divergente geneticamente e morfologicamente, como evidenciam seu tamanho corpóreo e sua membrana interdigital (Ximenez, 1980;Dunnum e Salazar-Bravo, 2010). Registros fósseis sugerem que a espécie divergiu no Mioceno, logo após a última grande mudança tectônica, climática e vegetativa da América do Sul (Flynn e Wyss, 1998) e evoluiu ocupando um nicho de regiões pantanosas, mantendo sua distribuição restrita (Dunnum e Salazar-Bravo, 2010).…”

“…Registros fósseis sugerem que a espécie divergiu no Mioceno, logo após a última grande mudança tectônica, climática e vegetativa da América do Sul (Flynn e Wyss, 1998) e evoluiu ocupando um nicho de regiões pantanosas, mantendo sua distribuição restrita (Dunnum e Salazar-Bravo, 2010).…”