Abstract
Abrawayaomys chebezi is a spiny sigmodontine believed endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Misiones Province, Argentina. The available knowledge is largely restricted to the holotype, the only fully vouchered specimen. Here, we detail a second specimen, a subadult male obtained in the Parque Provincial Urugua-í (Misiones). The morphology of this animal confirms several diagnostic traits of A. chebezi, such as its smaller size relative to Abrawayaomys ruschii, the type species of the genus, and the simplified occlusal structure of its molars. New data on soft anatomy indicate that chebezi has a unilocular-hemiglandular stomach, no gall bladder, and a complex tridigitate penis with an external surface covered by rounded spines. A rich parasite assemblage including fleas and mites was recorded from this animal. A preliminary review of the alpha taxonomy of Abrawayaomys suggests the possible existence of three different species in the genus, one still unnamed.
Acknowledgments
Several persons helped or favored field activities in the PP Urugua-í, including G. Navone, R. Robles, J. Sánchez, G. Panisse, J. Barneche, C. Ezquiaga, N. Guerreiro Martins, and J. Torres. Permits to collect in this protected area were provided by Ministerio de Ecología y Recursos Naturales Renovables de la provincia de Misiones; we are indebted to M. Schroder and to F. Tejeda Cajas. Particular thanks are extended to M. Chudi, for his hospitality and logistic support, working at the Secciónal Uruzú del PP Urugua-í. G. D’Elía freely obtained and shared with us the cytb sequence of the new specimen of Abrawayaomys reported here. A. Percequillo kindly allowed the inspection – during a short trip made by the senior author – of several specimens of Abrawayaomys under their care in Piracicaba (SP). The critical reading of F. Catzeflis improved the accuracy of the original manuscript. J. Patton improved this contribution not only for the English usage but also by providing important advice on how to present our ideas. Partial funds for this research were obtained from Agencia PICT 2008-547 to UFJP; field activities were economically supported through Agencia PICT 0924-2010 “Diversidad de parásitos en ensambles de roedores sigmodontinos en el NE argentino” (to G. Navone). This is Grupo de Estudios de Mamíferos Australes (GEMA) contribution no. 15.
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