Plant trait and vegetation data along a 1314 m elevation gradient with fire history in Puna grasslands, Perú.

Alpine grassland vegetation supports globally important biodiversity and ecosystems that are increasingly threatened by climate warming and other environmental changes. Trait-based approaches can support understanding of vegetation responses to global change drivers and consequences for ecosystem functioning. In six sites along a 1314 m elevational gradient in Puna grasslands in the Peruvian Andes, we collected datasets on vascular plant composition, plant functional traits, biomass, ecosystem fluxes, and climate data over three years. The data were collected in the wet and dry season and from plots with different fire histories. We selected traits associated with plant resource use, growth, and life history strategies (leaf area, leaf dry/wet mass, leaf thickness, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf C, N, P content, C and N isotopes). The trait dataset contains 3,665 plant records from 145 taxa, 54,036 trait measurements (increasing the trait data coverage of the regional flora by 420%) covering 14 traits and 121 plant taxa (ca. 40% of which have no previous publicly available trait data) across 33 families.

Range extension of the rare Peruvian fish-eating rat Neusticomys peruviensis (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in Peru / Rango de extensión de la rata acuática peruana Neusticomys peruviensis (Rodentia: Cricetidae) en Perú

Neusticomys peruviensis (Musser & Gardner 1974) is a semi aquatic rodent which belongs to the Ichthyomyini Tribe. It is an endemic species of Peru, previously known for three specimens: type specimen from Balta, another specimen from Rio Shesha, both from Ucayali department; and the third specimen from Pakitza (Madre de Dios department). We captured an additional specimen in Cusco Department. Its geographic distribution extends 84.15 km south of the previously known distribution range. This suggest that this species would have a broader distribution. More detailed studies are needed to know the ecology and distribution of these rodents.

Neusticomys peruviensis (Musser & Gardner 1974) es una especie de roedor acuático perteneciente a la tribu Icthyomyini, es una especie endémica de Perú. Fue previamente conocida por tres especímenes, el espécimen tipo proviene de Balta, otro espécimen del Rio Shesha, ambos ubicados en el departamento de Ucayali y un tercer espécimen de Pakitza (departamento de Madre de Dios). Nosotros capturamos un espécimen adicional en el departamento de Cusco, con esto se extiende su distribución geográfica a 82.15 km al sur de su rango de distribución. Se necesitan más estudios detallados para conocer la ecología y la distribución de este roedor

Small vertebrates in the spectacled bear's diet (Tremarctos ornatus Cuvier, 1825) in the north of Peru / Pequeños vertebrados en la dieta del oso andino (Tremarctos ornatus Cuvier, 1825) en el norte del Perú

There have been numerous studies about Spectacled bear´s diet, however little is known about the small vertebrates it consumes. This study present nine vertebrate species (seven rodent and two birds) as preys of the Spectacled bear, based on the analysis of six feces collected from two locations Upa (Amazonas) and Lagunas Arreviatadas (Cajamarca) in northern Peru. Six of these records were new food items and a new family Caviidae. Vertebrates were found only in the Upa location. Additionally a sampling of small non flying mammals was conducted in there. Our results suggest that the Spectacled bear would be a generalist species. It prefers plants, however if it finds vertebrates in the environment, it could feed on them.

Se han realizado numerosos estudios acerca de la dieta del oso andino, sin embargo poco se conoce sobre los pequeños vertebrados que consume. El presente trabajo da a conocer nueve especies de vertebrados (siete roedores y dos aves) como presas del oso andino, por medio del análisis de seis fecas provenientes de dos localidades Upa (Amazonas) y Lagunas Arreviatadas (Cajamarca) en el norte de Perú. Seis de estos registros son nuevos ítems alimenticios y una nueva familia Caviidae. Tan solo en la localidad de Upa se encontraron restos de vertebrados. Adicionalmente los pequeños mamíferos no voladores fueron muestreados en esa localidad. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el oso andino sería una especie generalista, si bien puede tener preferencias en la ingesta de plantas, en el caso de los vertebrados pareciera consumirlos según los encuentra en el ambiente.