Morphological evidence for the taxonomic status of the Bridges Guan, Penelope bridgesi, with comments on the validity of P. obscura bronzina (Aves: Cracidae)

Penelope obscura Temminck, 1815 is a forest guan found in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Bolivia. Three subspecies are currently recognized: Penelope o. obscura Temminck, 1815, P. o. bridgesi Gray, 1860, and P. o. bronzina Hellmayr, 1914. The limits between Penelope taxa are poorly understood since few studies have evaluated their differences in plumage, distribution and taxonomy. Based on 104 specimens deposited in ornithological collections we studied the variations in the plumage of P. obscura, including all characters that have been used to describe the included subspecies. Our results show that the plumage of these birds is extremely variable in southern and southeastern Brazil. Without any morphological and morphometric characters to support P. o. bronzina as a valid taxon, we synonymized it with P. obscura. Conversely, P. o. bridgesi, which occurs in the Yungas and the Chaco, is a distinct taxon and should be treated as a separate species from P. obscura.

Morphological evidence for the taxonomic status of the Bridges Guan, Penelope bridgesi, with comments on the validity of P. obscura bronzina (Aves: Cracidae)

Penelope obscura Temminck, 1815 is a forest guan found in Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Bolivia. Three subspecies are currently recognized: Penelope o. obscura Temminck, 1815, P. o. bridgesi Gray, 1860, and P. o. bronzina Hellmayr, 1914. The limits between Penelope taxa are poorly understood since few studies have evaluated their differences in plumage, distribution and taxonomy. Based on 104 specimens deposited in ornithological collections we studied the variations in the plumage of P. obscura, including all characters that have been used to describe the included subspecies. Our results show that the plumage of these birds is extremely variable in southern and southeastern Brazil. Without any morphological and morphometric characters to support P. o. bronzina as a valid taxon, we synonymized it with P. obscura. Conversely, P. o. bridgesi, which occurs in the Yungas and the Chaco, is a distinct taxon and should be treated as a separate species from P. obscura.(AU)

Two new species of myotis (chiroptera: vespertilionidae) for argentina

RESUMEN Siete nuevas especies de Myotis han sido recientemente descriptas en Sud América elevando a 20 el número de especies del género conocidas para la región. Myotis izecksohni y Myotis lavali han sido descriptas recientemente mediante ejemplares procedentes de los Estados de Río de Janeiro, Paraná y Pernambuco, Brasil. Estas especies son claramente diferentes de todas las otras conocidas del género, tanto en sus características externas como craneales, dichos caracteres coinciden exactamente con los de ejemplares encontrados en Argentina. Estos hallazgos permiten extender significativamente la extensión distribucional de las dos especies, e incluir a Myotis lavali en la eco-región de las Yungas en la provincia de Salta, y a Myotis izecksohni en la eco-región de los Campos y Malezales de la provincia de Misiones. Dichas eco-regiones no eran conocidas para la distribución de las nuevas especies.

ABSTRACT Seven new species of Myotis have been recently described from South America, elevating to 20 the total number of species of the genus recognized for the region. Myotis izecksohni and Myotis lavali were recently described from the States of Río de Janeiro, Paraná and Pernambuco, Brazil. These are clearly different from all other known species of the genus in their external and cranial characters, which are exactly comparable with our specimens collected in Argentina. This allows to greatly expand the known geographic distributions for these two species. The addition to Argentina of Myotis lavali with specimens collected in the Yungas ecoregion of Salta Province, and Myotis izecksohni with specimens collected in the Fields and Weedlands ecoregion of Misiones Province, increases the known ecoregions to date for the distribution of the two species.

TWO NEW SPECIES OF MYOTIS (CHIROPTERA: VESPERTILIONIDAE) FOR ARGENTINA

RESUMEN Siete nuevas especies de Myotis han sido recientemente descriptas en Sud América elevando a 20 el número de especies del género conocidas para la región. Myotis izecksohni y Myotis lavali han sido descriptas recientemente mediante ejemplares procedentes de los Estados de Río de Janeiro, Paraná y Pernambuco, Brasil. Estas especies son claramente diferentes de todas las otras conocidas del género, tanto en sus características externas como craneales, dichos caracteres coinciden exactamente con los de ejemplares encontrados en Argentina. Estos hallazgos permiten extender significativamente la extensión distribucional de las dos especies, e incluir a Myotis lavali en la eco-región de las Yungas en la provincia de Salta, y a Myotis izecksohni en la eco-región de los Campos y Malezales de la provincia de Misiones. Dichas eco-regiones no eran conocidas para la distribución de las nuevas especies.

ABSTRACT Seven new species of Myotis have been recently described from South America, elevating to 20 the total number of species of the genus recognized for the region. Myotis izecksohni and Myotis lavali were recently described from the States of Río de Janeiro, Paraná and Pernambuco, Brazil. These are clearly different from all other known species of the genus in their external and cranial characters, which are exactly comparable with our specimens collected in Argentina. This allows to greatly expand the known geographic distributions for these two species. The addition to Argentina of Myotis lavali with specimens collected in the Yungas ecoregion of Salta Province, and Myotis izecksohni with specimens collected in the Fields and Weedlands ecoregion of Misiones Province, increases the known ecoregions to date for the distribution of the two species.

Two new species of Myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) for Argentina

Seven new species of Myotis have been recently described from South America, elevating to 20 the total number of species of the genus recognized for the region. Myotis izecksohni and Myotis lavali were recently described from the States of Rio de Janeiro, Paraná and Pernambuco, Brazil. These are clearly different from all other known species of the genus in their external and cranial characters, which are exactly comparable with our specimens collected in Argentina. This allows to greatly expand the known geographic distributions for these two species. The addition to Argentina of Myotis lavali with specimens collected in the Yungas ecoregion of Salta Province, and Myotis izecksohni with specimens collected in the Fields and Weedlands ecoregion of Misiones Province, increases the known ecoregions to date for the distribution of the two species.

Siete nuevas especies de Myotis han sido recientemente descriptas en Sud América elevando a 20 el número de especies del género conocidas para la región. Myotis izecksohni y Myotis lavali han sido descriptas recientemente mediante ejemplares procedentes de los Estados de Río de Janeiro, Paraná y Pernambuco, Brasil. Estas especies son claramente diferentes de todas las otras conocidas del género, tanto en sus características externas como craneales, dichos caracteres coinciden exactamente con los de ejemplares encontrados en Argentina. Estos hallazgos permiten extender significativamente la extensión distribucional de las dos especies, e incluir a Myotis lavali en la eco-región de las Yungas en la provincia de Salta, y a Myotis izecksohni en la eco-región de los Campos y Malezales de la provincia de Misiones. Dichas eco-regiones no eran conocidas para la distribución de las nuevas especies.

Two new species of Myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) for Argentina

Seven new species of Myotis have been recently described from South America, elevating to 20 the total number of species of the genus recognized for the region. Myotis izecksohni and Myotis lavali were recently described from the States of Rio de Janeiro, Paraná and Pernambuco, Brazil. These are clearly different from all other known species of the genus in their external and cranial characters, which are exactly comparable with our specimens collected in Argentina. This allows to greatly expand the known geographic distributions for these two species. The addition to Argentina of Myotis lavali with specimens collected in the Yungas ecoregion of Salta Province, and Myotis izecksohni with specimens collected in the Fields and Weedlands ecoregion of Misiones Province, increases the known ecoregions to date for the distribution of the two species.(AU)

Siete nuevas especies de Myotis han sido recientemente descriptas en Sud América elevando a 20 el número de especies del género conocidas para la región. Myotis izecksohni y Myotis lavali han sido descriptas recientemente mediante ejemplares procedentes de los Estados de Río de Janeiro, Paraná y Pernambuco, Brasil. Estas especies son claramente diferentes de todas las otras conocidas del género, tanto en sus características externas como craneales, dichos caracteres coinciden exactamente con los de ejemplares encontrados en Argentina. Estos hallazgos permiten extender significativamente la extensión distribucional de las dos especies, e incluir a Myotis lavali en la eco-región de las Yungas en la provincia de Salta, y a Myotis izecksohni en la eco-región de los Campos y Malezales de la provincia de Misiones. Dichas eco-regiones no eran conocidas para la distribución de las nuevas especies.(AU)

Plectoplebeia, a new Neotropical genus of stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

A new stingless bee genus, Plectoplebeia gen. nov., is proposed to accommodate a peculiar Neotropical species currently placed in Plebeia Schwarz, 1938. The brief, but convoluted taxonomic history of its type species, Trigona nigrifacies Friese, 1900, is documented, with Trigona (Plebeia ) intermedia Wille, 1960 being placed as its junior synonym. Plectoplebeia gen. nov. resembles an enlarged species of Plebeia , differing by its larger body size, wider distance between the clypeus and the eye, presence of a shallow depression on the frons above the antennal sockets, coarser punctures on the head and mesosoma, a shorter, convex scutellum, an elongate propodeum and metapostnotum, long wings, with a higher number of hamuli, and by an elongate metasoma, with an unusually long first tergum. The single included species, Plectoplebeia nigrifacies comb. nov., is known only from the Bolivian Yungas, an ecoregion extending from west-central Bolivia to southeastern Peru.

Plectoplebeia, a new Neotropical genus of stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

A new stingless bee genus, Plectoplebeia gen. nov., is proposed to accommodate a peculiar Neotropical species currently placed in Plebeia Schwarz, 1938. The brief, but convoluted taxonomic history of its type species, Trigona nigrifacies Friese, 1900, is documented, with Trigona (Plebeia ) intermedia Wille, 1960 being placed as its junior synonym. Plectoplebeia gen. nov. resembles an enlarged species of Plebeia , differing by its larger body size, wider distance between the clypeus and the eye, presence of a shallow depression on the frons above the antennal sockets, coarser punctures on the head and mesosoma, a shorter, convex scutellum, an elongate propodeum and metapostnotum, long wings, with a higher number of hamuli, and by an elongate metasoma, with an unusually long first tergum. The single included species, Plectoplebeia nigrifacies comb. nov., is known only from the Bolivian Yungas, an ecoregion extending from west-central Bolivia to southeastern Peru.(AU)

CARACTERIZAÇÃO MORFOLÓGICA, CITOGENÉTICA E MOLECULAR DE Mazama sarae E Mazama chunyi (CETARTIODACTYLA; CERVIDAE) A PARTIR DE TOPÓTIPOS ATUAIS

O gênero Mazama está cercado de incertezas taxônomicas devido à alta diversidade cariotípica inter e intra-específica, origem polifilética e convergência morfológica, sendo que o número de espécies descritas em diferentes revisões varia entre quatro e dezoito. Dentro da espécie Mazama americana é sugerida a existência de novas espécies, já que além das diferenças moleculares e citogenéticas, existem evidências de isolamento reprodutivo pós-zigótico entre populações de veado-mateiro. Na Bolívia, até o momento foram descritas duas formas do gênero Mazama. A primeira delas é M. sarae Thomas, 1925; uma forma de veado vermelho descrito na região sul da Bolívia. Atualmente é considerado sinônimo de M. americana, com base nas características morfológicas daquele único exemplar descrito por Thomas (1925), sem nenhum tipo de abordagem genética. A segunda é M. chunyi Hershkovitz, 1959; uma forma de veado marrom de tamanho pequeno, que habita gradientes altitudinais de Puna-Yungas, no noroeste da Bolívia. Apesar de ser aceita como espécie única, as análises moleculares tem sido escassas e ainda não foi descrita cromossomicamente. Portanto, o presente estudo objetivou a caracterização de um topótipo de Mazama sarae e um topotipo de Mazama chunyi, sob aspectos morfológicos (biometria corporal, padrões de coloração da pele, craniometria), citogenéticos (coloração convencional Giemsa, biometria cromossômica, bandamento C, bandamento G, coloração Ag-NOR), e moleculares (análises filogenéticas do genoma mitocondrial, no caso de M. sarae, e de 3 genes mitocondriais para M. chunyi). Os resultados morfológicos posicionam ambas as espécies no clado dos pequenos Mazama (M. temama, M. nana, M. nemorivaga e M. gouazoubira). Segundo os padrões citogenéticos, os topótipos de ambas as espécies não se enquadram em nenhuma variante das espécies de Mazama atualmente conhecidas. As árvores filogenéticas geradas para o topótipo de M. sarae, permite evidenciar a espécie dentro da subtribo Odocoileina, mostrando uma distância considerável em relação ao M. americana e ao resto das espécies incluídas na subtribo. Por sua vez, o topótipo de M. chunyi, posiciona-se dentro da subtribo Blastocerina, próximo ao haplogrupo monofilético formado pelos espécimes de M. gouazoubira. Assim, propõe-se a caracterização de um topótipo para cada espécie estudada, o qual é o ponto de partida para a descrição de novas espécies e possível mudança completa na nomenclatura do gênero Mazama.

Mazama genus' taxonomic uncertainties are due to high inter and intraspecific karyotypic diversity, polyphyletic origin, and morphological convergence. The number of species described in different reviews ranges from four to eighteen. Within the Mazama americana species, new species' existence is suggested since, in addition to molecular and cytogenetic differences, there is evidence of post-zygotic reproductive isolation between red brocket deer populations. In Bolivia, two forms of the genus Mazama have been described to date. The first of these is M. sarae Thomas, 1925; a form of red deer described in the southern region of Bolivia. It is currently considered a synonym of M. americana, based on the morphological characteristics of that single specimen described by Thomas (1925), without having any genetic approach. The second is M. chunyi Hershkovitz, 1959, a small-sized brown deer that inhabits altitudinal gradients of Puna-Yungas in northwestern Bolivia. Although accepted as a unique species, molecular analyses have been scarce and have not yet been described chromosomally.Therefore, the present study aimed at the characterization of a topotype of Mazama sarae and of a topotype of Mazama chunyi, under morphological aspects (body biometrics, skin color patterns, craniometry), cytogenetic (Giemsa conventional coloration, chromosomal biometry, C banding, G banding, Ag-NOR coloration) and molecular (phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial genome, in the case of M. sarae, and of 3 mitochondrial genes for M. chunyi). The morphological results position both species in the clade of the small Mazama (M. temama, M. nana, M. nemorivaga e M. gouazoubira). According to cytogenetic patterns, both species' topotypes do not fit any variant of the Mazama species known until now. The phylogenetic trees generated for the topotype of M. sarae, allow us to evidence the species within the subtribe Odocoileina, showing a considerable distance from M. americana and the rest of the species subtribe. In this way, M. chunyi topotype is positioned within subtribe Blastocerina, close to the monophyletic haplogroup formed by specimens of M. gouazoubira. Thus, we propose the characterization of a topotype for each species studied, which is the starting point for the description of new species and possible complete change in the nomenclature of the genus Mazama.

More on the Mesopotamian-Yungas disjunction in subtropical and temperate Argentina: bioclimatic distribution models of the harvestman Discocyrtus dilatatus (Opiliones: Gonyleptidae)

In this paper, the potential distribution of the Mesopotamian harvestman Discocyrtus dilatatus Sørensen, 1884 is modeled, and the species' bioclimatic profile is described. Models were built with the presence-only methods Maxent and Bioclim, using 85 unique records (of which 49 are new) and 11 non-correlated bioclimatic variables as predictors. Both Maxent and Bioclim supported the Mesopotamian-Yungas disjunct pattern observed in D. dilatatus, and confirmed the hypothesis that the sub-xeric Dry Chaco is an effective barrier for the two portions of the range. Similarly to results of previous studies on other Mesopotamian harvestmen, temperature variables proved more relevant than precipitation variables in the final models. In the combined overall score obtained with Maxent, bc4-temperature seasonality ranked as the most relevant, and only one precipitation variable (bc18-precipitation of warmest quarter, in second place) ranked among the top five. In the Most Limiting Factor analysis, which identifies the relevant variables in a local scale, temperature variables were again more determining than precipitation variables in most of the range. One single variable, bc5-maximal temperature of warmest month, proved critical near the boundaries of the modeled range and the Dry Chaco, suggesting that extremely high temperatures (and not the supposed aridity) are responsible for the 450 km distribution gap.

More on the Mesopotamian-Yungas disjunction in subtropical and temperate Argentina: bioclimatic distribution models of the harvestman Discocyrtus dilatatus (Opiliones: Gonyleptidae)

In this paper, the potential distribution of the Mesopotamian harvestman Discocyrtus dilatatus Sørensen, 1884 is modeled, and the species' bioclimatic profile is described. Models were built with the presence-only methods Maxent and Bioclim, using 85 unique records (of which 49 are new) and 11 non-correlated bioclimatic variables as predictors. Both Maxent and Bioclim supported the Mesopotamian-Yungas disjunct pattern observed in D. dilatatus, and confirmed the hypothesis that the sub-xeric Dry Chaco is an effective barrier for the two portions of the range. Similarly to results of previous studies on other Mesopotamian harvestmen, temperature variables proved more relevant than precipitation variables in the final models. In the combined overall score obtained with Maxent, bc4-temperature seasonality ranked as the most relevant, and only one precipitation variable (bc18-precipitation of warmest quarter, in second place) ranked among the top five. In the Most Limiting Factor analysis, which identifies the relevant variables in a local scale, temperature variables were again more determining than precipitation variables in most of the range. One single variable, bc5-maximal temperature of warmest month, proved critical near the boundaries of the modeled range and the Dry Chaco, suggesting that extremely high temperatures (and not the supposed aridity) are responsible for the 450 km distribution gap.(AU)

New genus of Psychodinae (Diptera, Psychodidae) from Argentina / Nuevo género de Psychodinae (Diptera, Psychodidae) de Argentina

Adultos (macho y hembra) y pupa de Chuspilepia saltenia gen. nov., sp. nov. fueron colectados en huecos de árboles en las Yungas cerca de la ciudad de San Ramón de la Nueva Orán, provincia de Salta. No fue posible ubicar esta nueva especie en alguno de los géneros conocidos usando las claves y descripciones disponibles, por ello un nuevo género es propuesto para la región Neotropical de Argentina.(AU)

Adults (male and female) and pupae of Chuspilepia saltenia gen. nov., sp. nov. were collected in tree holes in the Yungas rainforest, near San Ramón de la Nueva Orán city, Salta province, Argentina. It was not possible to place this new species in any known genera using the available keys and published descriptions, thus a new genus is proposed for the Neotropical region of Argentina.(AU)

New genus of Psychodinae (Diptera, Psychodidae) from Argentina / Nuevo género de Psychodinae (Diptera, Psychodidae) de Argentina

Adultos (macho y hembra) y pupa de Chuspilepia saltenia gen. nov., sp. nov. fueron colectados en huecos de árboles en las Yungas cerca de la ciudad de San Ramón de la Nueva Orán, provincia de Salta. No fue posible ubicar esta nueva especie en alguno de los géneros conocidos usando las claves y descripciones disponibles, por ello un nuevo género es propuesto para la región Neotropical de Argentina.

Adults (male and female) and pupae of Chuspilepia saltenia gen. nov., sp. nov. were collected in tree holes in the Yungas rainforest, near San Ramón de la Nueva Orán city, Salta province, Argentina. It was not possible to place this new species in any known genera using the available keys and published descriptions, thus a new genus is proposed for the Neotropical region of Argentina.

Redescription of Mimon koepckeae (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

Mimon koepckeae Gardner & Patton, 1972 is a poorly-known bat species, with only three known specimens, including the holotype. Its distribution is restricted to the type locality in Ayacucho Department, Peru, and surroundings. This species has been synonymized with M. crenulatum by some authors. Based on a new specimen of M. koepckeae collected from Santuario Nacional Pampa Hermosa, Junin Department, Peru, we provide an extensive morphological comparison with M. crenulatum (Geoffroy St.-Hilaire, 1803), Mimom bennettii (Gray, 1838), and Mimon cozumelae Goldman, 1914, concluding that M. koepckeae is a valid species. As a result the distribution range of the species is extended 160 km north of the type locality. In addition, we characterize the habitat of the species, provide current data on feeding behavior, and suggest that M. koepckeae should be categorized as endangered species.

Redescription of Mimon koepckeae (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

Mimon koepckeae Gardner & Patton, 1972 is a poorly-known bat species, with only three known specimens, including the holotype. Its distribution is restricted to the type locality in Ayacucho Department, Peru, and surroundings. This species has been synonymized with M. crenulatum by some authors. Based on a new specimen of M. koepckeae collected from Santuario Nacional Pampa Hermosa, Junin Department, Peru, we provide an extensive morphological comparison with M. crenulatum (Geoffroy St.-Hilaire, 1803), Mimom bennettii (Gray, 1838), and Mimon cozumelae Goldman, 1914, concluding that M. koepckeae is a valid species. As a result the distribution range of the species is extended 160 km north of the type locality. In addition, we characterize the habitat of the species, provide current data on feeding behavior, and suggest that M. koepckeae should be categorized as endangered species.(AU)

Description of two new species of Plesiopelma (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Theraphosinae) from Argentina / Descripción de dos nuevas especies de Plesiopelma (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Theraphosinae) de Argentina

Dos nuevas especies de Plesiopelma Pocock, 1901 del norte de Argentina son diferenciadas y se describen en base a ejemplares machos y se presentan descripciones de los ambientes. Machos de Plesiopelma paganoi sp. nov. difieren de la mayoría de las especies por la ausencia de setas espiniformes en la cara retrolateral del cymbium, por la forma del órgano palpar. Plesiopelma aspidosperma sp. nov. difiere del resto de las especies por la presencia de setas espiniformes en la cara retrolateral del cymbium y se distingue de P. myodes Pocock, 1901, P. longisternale (Schiapelli & Gerschman, 1942) y P. rectimanum (Mello-Leitão, 1923) por las quillas del bulbo separadas y el nódulo basal del metatarso I muy desarrollado. Se diferencia de P. minense (Mello-Leitão, 1943) por la forma del órgano palpar y el nódulo basal del metatarso I desarrollado. Los especímenes se capturaron en la provincia de Salta, Argentina, habitando nuboselvas de altura en la eco-región de Yungas.(AU)

Two new species of Plesiopelma Pocock, 1901 from northern Argentina are described and diagnosed based on males and habitat descriptions are presented. Males of Plesiopelma paganoi sp. nov. differ from most of species by the absence of spiniform setae on the retrolateral face of cymbium, aspect of the palpal bulb. Plesiopelma aspidosperma sp. nov. differs from most species of the genus by the presence of spiniform setae on the retrolateral face of cymbium and it can be distinguished from P. myodes Pocock, 1901, P. longisternale (Schiapelli & Gerschman, 1942) and P. rectimanum (Mello-Leitão, 1923) by the separated palpal bulb keels and basal nodule of metatarsus I very developed. It differs from P. minense (Mello-Leitão, 1943) by the shape of the palpal bulb and basal nodule on metatarsus I well developed. Specimens were captured in Salta province, Argentina, inhabiting high cloud forests of Yungas eco-region.(AU)

Description of two new species of Plesiopelma (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Theraphosinae) from Argentina / Descripción de dos nuevas especies de Plesiopelma (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Theraphosinae) de Argentina

Dos nuevas especies de Plesiopelma Pocock, 1901 del norte de Argentina son diferenciadas y se describen en base a ejemplares machos y se presentan descripciones de los ambientes. Machos de Plesiopelma paganoi sp. nov. difieren de la mayoría de las especies por la ausencia de setas espiniformes en la cara retrolateral del cymbium, por la forma del órgano palpar. Plesiopelma aspidosperma sp. nov. difiere del resto de las especies por la presencia de setas espiniformes en la cara retrolateral del cymbium y se distingue de P. myodes Pocock, 1901, P. longisternale (Schiapelli & Gerschman, 1942) y P. rectimanum (Mello-Leitão, 1923) por las quillas del bulbo separadas y el nódulo basal del metatarso I muy desarrollado. Se diferencia de P. minense (Mello-Leitão, 1943) por la forma del órgano palpar y el nódulo basal del metatarso I desarrollado. Los especímenes se capturaron en la provincia de Salta, Argentina, habitando nuboselvas de altura en la eco-región de Yungas.

Two new species of Plesiopelma Pocock, 1901 from northern Argentina are described and diagnosed based on males and habitat descriptions are presented. Males of Plesiopelma paganoi sp. nov. differ from most of species by the absence of spiniform setae on the retrolateral face of cymbium, aspect of the palpal bulb. Plesiopelma aspidosperma sp. nov. differs from most species of the genus by the presence of spiniform setae on the retrolateral face of cymbium and it can be distinguished from P. myodes Pocock, 1901, P. longisternale (Schiapelli & Gerschman, 1942) and P. rectimanum (Mello-Leitão, 1923) by the separated palpal bulb keels and basal nodule of metatarsus I very developed. It differs from P. minense (Mello-Leitão, 1943) by the shape of the palpal bulb and basal nodule on metatarsus I well developed. Specimens were captured in Salta province, Argentina, inhabiting high cloud forests of Yungas eco-region.

Habitos alimeticios de un ensamble de murciélagos insectívoros aéreos de un bosque montano en las Yungas Argentinas

In spite of their fundamental ecological role in the Neotropics, little is known about the diet of many bat species. Although insectivorous species have long been considered effectives insect populations controllers, there has been no systematic study of the diet of insectivorous bats in Argentina. In this study, the diet of seven species of Vespertilionidae and Molossidae families of aerial insectivorous bats was analyzed seasonally at ensemble and species level in a montane forest. Lepidoptera and Coleoptera showed high contribution in terms of percent occurrence and percent volume of the diet at both the assemblage and species levels. Coleoptera dominated fecal sample of Eptesicus chiriquinus. No seasonaldifferences were observed at the assemblage level or for species analyzed in greater detail, Histiotus macrotus and Myotis nigricans. In spite of the limited sample size, data suggest a partitioning of food resources between species of different sizes. This partitioning is likely related to size of prey that a bat can actually catch and manipulate. The consumption of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera in proportions of more than 40% shows a tendency towards specialization of the entire ensemble in these orders.

Habitos alimeticios de un ensamble de murciélagos insectívoros aéreos de un bosque montano en las Yungas Argentinas

In spite of their fundamental ecological role in the Neotropics, little is known about the diet of many bat species. Although insectivorous species have long been considered effectives insect populations controllers, there has been no systematic study of the diet of insectivorous bats in Argentina. In this study, the diet of seven species of Vespertilionidae and Molossidae families of aerial insectivorous bats was analyzed seasonally at ensemble and species level in a montane forest. Lepidoptera and Coleoptera showed high contribution in terms of percent occurrence and percent volume of the diet at both the assemblage and species levels. Coleoptera dominated fecal sample of Eptesicus chiriquinus. No seasonaldifferences were observed at the assemblage level or for species analyzed in greater detail, Histiotus macrotus and Myotis nigricans. In spite of the limited sample size, data suggest a partitioning of food resources between species of different sizes. This partitioning is likely related to size of prey that a bat can actually catch and manipulate. The consumption of Lepidoptera and Coleoptera in proportions of more than 40% shows a tendency towards specialization of the entire ensemble in these orders.(AU)

Dieta de Mazama gouazoubira (Mammalia, Cervidae) en un ambiente secundario de Yungas, Argentina

The trophic spectrum of the Brown brocket deer, Mazama gouazoubira Fischer, 1814, was analyzed between September 1993 to February 1994, in a secondary environment of Yungas, Argentina and in semicaptivity conditions. Seventy three vegetable species and two fungi species were recorded. It was registered also the consumption of ticks, salt, land, bricks and scats of another animals. The main vegetable parts consumed in order of importance were young leaves and outbreaks (green parts), fruit and flowers.