Wiedomys cerradensis (Gonçalves, Almeida, Bonvicino, 2003) (Rodentia, Cricetidae): first record from the state of Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract

Wiedomys cerradensis (Gon ç alves, Almeida, Bonvicino, 2003) (Rodentia, Cricetidae): first record from the state of Maranh ã o, Brazil Abstract : Wiedomys Hershkovitz, 1959, was considered to be a monotypic genus for > 40 years until P.R. Gon ç alves et al. described Wiedomys cerradensis from the Cerrado savannas of central Brazil. The geographic distribution of this arboreal species is not yet fully understood. The present study confirms the occurrence of the species in the Brazilian state of Maranh ã o. A male Wiedomys specimen was collected in the Inhamum Municipal Environmental Protection Area, which is dominated by Cerrado vegetation, although the species could not be identified from morphological characteristics alone. Molecular analyses were based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The cytochrome b sequences indicated low divergence between the Maranh ã o specimen and W. cerradensis , and much higher divergence from the specimens of Wiedomys pyrrhorhinus , with the two species being well defined according to the high bootstrap values obtained in the analysis. The molecular data nevertheless permitted the confirmation of the occurrence of W. cerradensis in Maranh ã o, the first record of the species in this state, at a location > 900 km from its previously known distribution.

New records of Niceforo’s big-eared bat, Trinycteris nicefori (Sanborn, 1949) (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae), from the state of Maranhão, Brazil

“…Maranhão has a diversity of landscapes, and is considered to be an ecotone between three major biomes, the Amazon, Cerrado, and Caatinga (Batistella et al 2014, Spinelli-Araujo et al 2016). The taxonomy and geographic distribution of the state’s small mammals, in particular its bats, are still relatively poorly known (Oliveira et al 2011, Olímpio et al 2015). An increase in the sampling of these areas will provide a better understanding of the current distribution of bat species, including T.nicefori (Rocha et al 2013).…”