Testicular histomorphometric patterns and spermatogenesis dynamics of Oecomys bicolor tomes, 1860 (Rodentia: Cricetidae).

Although the order Rodentia does not present a high risk of extinction compared to mammals as a whole, several families demonstrate high levels of threat and/or data deficiency, therefore highlighting the need for targeted research and the application of ecological and reproductive data to the development of conservation actions. The order Rodentia, the largest among mammals, includes 9 families, and the family Cricetidae is the most diverse of the Brazilian rodents. In Brazil, 12 of the 16 genera of Oecomys are found. Oecomys bicolor is known in Brazil as the 'arboreal rat' and is, found in dry, deciduous and tropical forests. The mean body weight of Oecomys bicolor was 35.8 g and the gonadal, tubular and epithelial somatic indexes were, 0.53%, 0.47% and 0.37%, respectively. Seminiferous tubules volume density was 89.72% and the mitotic and meiotic indexes corresponded to 8.59 and 2.45 cells, respectively, and the yield of spermatogenesis was 23.83 cells. The intertubular compartment represented 10.28% of the testis parenchyma and around 5% of the interstitial space was occupied by Leydig cells, whose number per gram of testis was 11.10 × 107 cells. By evaluating the biometric and histomorphometric characteristics of the testis, there is evidence that this species has a high investment in reproduction. Due to the high contribution of the seminiferous epithelium and the intertubular compartment in this species, compared to the others of the same family, it is possible to infer that the species Oecomys bicolor has a promiscuous reproductive behaviour.

Craniometric geographical variation in Hylaeamys megacephalus populations / Variação geográfica craniométrica em populações de Hylaeamys megacephalus

Hylaeamys megacephalus (G. Fisher, 1814) presents great genetic diversity and wide geographical distribution, and occurs in both the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. Because of its generalist aspect, this species tolerates different eating habits and habitats. It occurs in flooded and dry areas and is predominantly terrestrial, which allows greater gene flow between populations even over long distances. Studies that seek a better understanding of morphological variations resulting from differences imposed by the environment throughout this species' distribution are still lacking. This study aimed to analyze the differences between H. megacephalus populations based on craniometry, investigating whether the environment has an influence on morphology. We analyzed a total of 142 specimens from three scientific mammal collections: National Museum, "Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro" (MN-UFRJ); "Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Reservatórios Silvestres", "Instituto Oswaldo Cruz", "Fundação Oswaldo Cruz"(LBCE-Fiocruz); and "Laboratório de Biodiversidade", "Universidade Federal de Goiás", "Regional Jataí" (LZE-UFG), and took 20 craniometric measurements. Craniometry was explored using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), canonical variate analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA). The results led us to conclude that there are three craniometric groups of H. megacephalus with a tendency to differentiate as a result of geographical influences.(AU)

Com grande diversidade genética e distribuição geográfica, Hylaeamys megacephalus (G. Fisher, 1814) ocorre tanto na Amazônia quanto no Cerrado. Visto seu aspecto generalista, esta espécie tolera diversos hábitos alimentares e habitats, ocorrendo em áreas inundadas ou não, sendo predominantemente terrestre, permitindo maior fluxo de genes entre as populações, mesmo em longas distâncias. Apresenta ampla distribuição, e carece de estudos que busquem um melhor entendimento sobre as variações morfológicas resultantes das diferenças impostas pelo meio ao longo de sua distribuição. O estudo teve como objetivo, analisar as diferenças entre as populações de H. megacephalus, com base na craniometria investigando se o ambiente interfere na morfologia. Analisamos um total de 142 espécimes oriundos de coleções científicas de mamíferos, do Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (MN-UFRJ), Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Reservatórios Silvestres, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (LBCE-Fiocruz) e Laboratório de Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Regional Jataí, nos quais foram tomadas 20 medidas craniométricas. A craniometria foi explorada nas análises estatísticas de agrupamento de pares não ponderados com médias aritméticas (UPGMA), variação canônica e análise dos Componentes Principais (PCA). Os resultados encontrados nos levaram a concluir a existência de três grupos craniométricos da espécie de H. megacephalus com tendência a se diferenciarem, por influências geográficas.(AU)

Craniometric geographical variation in Hylaeamys megacephalus populations / Variação geográfica craniométrica em populações de Hylaeamys megacephalus

Hylaeamys megacephalus (G. Fisher, 1814) presents great genetic diversity and wide geographical distribution, and occurs in both the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. Because of its generalist aspect, this species tolerates different eating habits and habitats. It occurs in flooded and dry areas and is predominantly terrestrial, which allows greater gene flow between populations even over long distances. Studies that seek a better understanding of morphological variations resulting from differences imposed by the environment throughout this species' distribution are still lacking. This study aimed to analyze the differences between H. megacephalus populations based on craniometry, investigating whether the environment has an influence on morphology. We analyzed a total of 142 specimens from three scientific mammal collections: National Museum, "Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro" (MN-UFRJ); "Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Reservatórios Silvestres", "Instituto Oswaldo Cruz", "Fundação Oswaldo Cruz"(LBCE-Fiocruz); and "Laboratório de Biodiversidade", "Universidade Federal de Goiás", "Regional Jataí" (LZE-UFG), and took 20 craniometric measurements. Craniometry was explored using unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), canonical variate analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA). The results led us to conclude that there are three craniometric groups of H. megacephalus with a tendency to differentiate as a result of geographical influences.(AU)

Com grande diversidade genética e distribuição geográfica, Hylaeamys megacephalus (G. Fisher, 1814) ocorre tanto na Amazônia quanto no Cerrado. Visto seu aspecto generalista, esta espécie tolera diversos hábitos alimentares e habitats, ocorrendo em áreas inundadas ou não, sendo predominantemente terrestre, permitindo maior fluxo de genes entre as populações, mesmo em longas distâncias. Apresenta ampla distribuição, e carece de estudos que busquem um melhor entendimento sobre as variações morfológicas resultantes das diferenças impostas pelo meio ao longo de sua distribuição. O estudo teve como objetivo, analisar as diferenças entre as populações de H. megacephalus, com base na craniometria investigando se o ambiente interfere na morfologia. Analisamos um total de 142 espécimes oriundos de coleções científicas de mamíferos, do Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (MN-UFRJ), Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Reservatórios Silvestres, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (LBCE-Fiocruz) e Laboratório de Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Regional Jataí, nos quais foram tomadas 20 medidas craniométricas. A craniometria foi explorada nas análises estatísticas de agrupamento de pares não ponderados com médias aritméticas (UPGMA), variação canônica e análise dos Componentes Principais (PCA). Os resultados encontrados nos levaram a concluir a existência de três grupos craniométricos da espécie de H. megacephalus com tendência a se diferenciarem, por influências geográficas.(AU)

Oecomys catherinae (Sigmodontinae, Cricetidae): Evidence for chromosomal speciation?

Among the Oryzomyini (Sigmodontinae), Oecomys is the most speciose, with 17 species. This genus presents high karyotypic diversity (2n = 54 to 2n = 86) and many taxonomic issues at the species level because of the presence of cryptic species and the overlap of morphological characters. For these reasons the real number of species of Oecomys may be underestimated. With the aim of verifying if the taxon Oecomys catherinae is composed of more than one species, we made comparative studies on two populations from two regions of Brazil, one from the Amazon and another from the Atlantic Forest using both classical cytogenetics (G- and C-banding) and comparative genomic mapping with whole chromosome probes of Hylaeamys megacephalus (HME), molecular data (cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA) and morphology. Our results confirm that Oecomys catherinae occurs in the southeast Amazon, and reveal a new karyotype for the species (2n = 62, FNa = 62). The comparative genomic analysis with HME probes identified chromosomal homeologies between both populations and rearrangements that are responsible for the different karyotypes. We compared our results in Sigmodontinae genera with other studies that also used HME probes. These chromosomal differences together with the absence of consistent differentiation between the two populations on morphological and molecular analyses suggest that these populations may represent cryptic species.

The cuticular profile of the aristiform hair as a characteristic feature of Abrawayaomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

The cuticle is the outermost of the three cellular layers of the mammalian hair. It comprises numerous keratinized scales, whose morphology, combined with other microscopic characteristics of the hair, confers characteristic signature traits to various different species. This study aimed to analyze whether the cuticular patterns of the aristiform hair had any signature implications for the two species of the genus Abrawayaomys Cunha & Cruz, 1979. We identified the cuticular profiles of A. ruschi and A. chebezi. Both species have similar hair pattern. The base of the hair shows "irregular waved" scales with smooth and continuous edges, and the apex showed "transversal waved" small-sized scales with continuous and ornamented edges. The middle portion of the hair exhibits different cuticular patterns on different sides of a single hair follicle: "transversal waved" on the dorsal side and "narrow losangled" on the ventral side. This distribution pattern of the cuticular scales is an unprecedented record for any mammal, and it is an important generic feature that allows the identification of single samples, such as those found in predators' gastrointestinal contents. The species in question are considered rare due to the restricted number of specimens deposited in scientific collections. Our findings may contribute to expanding the species' geographic range by making it possible to identify it in various situations. These results highlight the relevance of studies pertaining the identification of the micromorphology of the aristiform hair, which can be used as a tool to accurately identify rodents.

The cuticular profile of the aristiform hair as a characteristic feature of Abrawayaomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

The cuticle is the outermost of the three cellular layers of the mammalian hair. It comprises numerous keratinized scales, whose morphology, combined with other microscopic characteristics of the hair, confers characteristic signature traits to various different species. This study aimed to analyze whether the cuticular patterns of the aristiform hair had any signature implications for the two species of the genus Abrawayaomys Cunha & Cruz, 1979. We identified the cuticular profiles of A. ruschi and A. chebezi. Both species have similar hair pattern. The base of the hair shows "irregular waved" scales with smooth and continuous edges, and the apex showed "transversal waved" small-sized scales with continuous and ornamented edges. The middle portion of the hair exhibits different cuticular patterns on different sides of a single hair follicle: "transversal waved" on the dorsal side and "narrow losangled" on the ventral side. This distribution pattern of the cuticular scales is an unprecedented record for any mammal, and it is an important generic feature that allows the identification of single samples, such as those found in predators' gastrointestinal contents. The species in question are considered rare due to the restricted number of specimens deposited in scientific collections. Our findings may contribute to expanding the species' geographic range by making it possible to identify it in various situations. These results highlight the relevance of studies pertaining the identification of the micromorphology of the aristiform hair, which can be used as a tool to accurately identify rodents.(AU)

A new species of Cerradomys (Mammalia: Rodentia: Cricetidae) from Central Brazil, with remarks on the taxonomy of the genus

Cerradomys is a Neotropical genus of cricetid rodents with seven recognized species, Cerradomys subflavus, C. maracajuensis, C. marinhus, C. scotti, C. langguthi, C. vivoi, and C. goytaca. Species of the genus are distributed throughout the open vegetation belt across South America, from northeastern and southeastern Atlantic coast of Brazil to eastern Paraguay and Western Bolivia. Here we describe a new species of Cerradomys from the state of Tocantins in Central Brazil, based on morphological, karyological and mitochondrial DNA analyses. This species is characterized by a medium body size and long tail, dense dorsal pelage, overall dorsal color gray olive lined with yellow, color of head and dorsum continuous, ventral body color slightly yellowish, skull with deep rostral depression, mesopterygoid fossa with long and wide sphenopalatine vacuities, presence of alisphenoid strut and of complex posterolateral palatal pits, and a unique chromosomal formula (2n = 60 and FNa = 74). Phylogenetic analyses based on cytochrome b sequences, including for the first time all known Cerradomys species, indicate that the new species is more closely related to C. scotti. The new species is found in sympatry with C. marinhus, while C. marinhus, C. scotti, and C. subflavus are found in sympatry (but not in syntopy) in one locality in the state of Minas Gerais. Finally, analysis of cytochrome b sequences indicates that C. subflavus and C. goytaca are very closely related genetically and might be conspecific. Alternatively, these results can also be explained by incomplete lineage sorting due to a recent speciation event.

A new species of Cerradomys (Mammalia: Rodentia: Cricetidae) from Central Brazil, with remarks on the taxonomy of the genus

Cerradomys is a Neotropical genus of cricetid rodents with seven recognized species, Cerradomys subflavus, C. maracajuensis, C. marinhus, C. scotti, C. langguthi, C. vivoi, and C. goytaca. Species of the genus are distributed throughout the open vegetation belt across South America, from northeastern and southeastern Atlantic coast of Brazil to eastern Paraguay and Western Bolivia. Here we describe a new species of Cerradomys from the state of Tocantins in Central Brazil, based on morphological, karyological and mitochondrial DNA analyses. This species is characterized by a medium body size and long tail, dense dorsal pelage, overall dorsal color gray olive lined with yellow, color of head and dorsum continuous, ventral body color slightly yellowish, skull with deep rostral depression, mesopterygoid fossa with long and wide sphenopalatine vacuities, presence of alisphenoid strut and of complex posterolateral palatal pits, and a unique chromosomal formula (2n = 60 and FNa = 74). Phylogenetic analyses based on cytochrome b sequences, including for the first time all known Cerradomys species, indicate that the new species is more closely related to C. scotti. The new species is found in sympatry with C. marinhus, while C. marinhus, C. scotti, and C. subflavus are found in sympatry (but not in syntopy) in one locality in the state of Minas Gerais. Finally, analysis of cytochrome b sequences indicates that C. subflavus and C. goytaca are very closely related genetically and might be conspecific. Alternatively, these results can also be explained by incomplete lineage sorting due to a recent speciation event.(AU)

Localized versus generalist phenotypes in a broadly distributed tropical mammal: how is intraspecific variation distributed across disparate environments?

BACKGROUND: The extent of phenotypic differentiation in response to local environmental conditions is a key component of species adaptation and persistence. Understanding the structuring of phenotypic diversity in response to local environmental pressures can provide important insights into species evolutionary dynamics and responses to environmental change. This work examines the influence of steep environmental gradients on intraspecific phenotypic variation and tests two hypotheses about how the tropical soft grass mouse, Akodon mollis (Cricetidae, Rodentia), contends with the disparate environmental conditions encompassed by its broad distribution. Specifically, we test if the species expresses a geographically unstructured, or generalist, phenotype throughout its range or if it shows geographically localized morphological differentiation across disparate environments. RESULTS: Using geometric morphometric and ecomorphological analyses of skull shape variation we found that despite distinct environmental conditions, geographically structured morphological variation is limited, with the notable exception of a distinct morphological disjunction at the high-elevation forest-grassland transition in the southern portion of A. mollis distribution. Based on genetic analyses, geographic isolation alone does not explain this localized phenotype, given that similar levels of genetic differentiation were also observed among individuals inhabiting other ecosystems that are nonetheless not distinct morphologically. CONCLUSIONS: Instead of phenotypic specialization across environments in these tropical mountains, there was limited differentiation of skull shape and size across the broad range of A. mollis, with the exception of individuals from the puna, the highest-elevation ecosystem. The high morphological variance among individuals, together with a weak association with local environmental conditions, not only highlights the flexibility of A. mollis' skull, but also highlights the need for further study to understand what maintains the observed morphological patterns. The work also indicates that mechanisms other than processes linked to local ecological specialization as a driver of diversification may contribute to the high diversity of this tropical region.

Descriptive morphometry and stereology of the tubular compartment in the wild rodent Hylaeamys megacephalus (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from Central Brazil.

Information on reproductive characteristics of wild rodents is scarce in the literature. This study aimed to assess the testis morphometry and stereology of Hylaeamys megacephalus. We used five animals in the study, captured in forest fragments in southwestern Goias State, between April and August 2009. The testes were fixed in Karnovsky solution, dehydrated, and embedded in methacrylate. Two-micrometer-thick sections from each sample were stained with toluidine blue/sodium borate 1%. Images of the testicular parenchyma were obtained from photomicroscope and morphometric and stereological analyses were carried out using the Image Pro-Plus software. The average body weight observed in the specimens of H. megacephalus in the study was 47.84 g, of which, 0.40% is allocated to the gonads (GSI) and 0.36% to the seminiferous tubules (TSI). These parameters suggest promiscuous reproductive behavior, of the polyandrous type, favoring males with higher sperm production and consequently, larger testes. The volume density of the seminiferous tubules was 94.46%, which represented a volume of 0.18 mL. The volume density and volume of the interstitium were 5.54% and 0.011 mL, respectively. The diameter of the seminiferous tubules was 206.5 µm and the height of seminiferous epithelium was 71.27 µm. H. megacephalus presents 5.06 m of seminiferous tubules and an average of 27.96 m of seminiferous tubules per gram of testis. The mitotic and meiotic indexes showed losses of 85 and 42%, respectively and an overall loss of 90% over the full spermatogenic process. The number of Sertoli cells per testis and per gram of testis was 7.8×10(6) and 95.28×10(6), respectively. Most of the morphometric parameters evaluated in H. megacephalus in this study are within the range of values described for most mammals.

A small, new gerbil-mouse Eligmodontia (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from dunes at the coasts and deserts of north-central Chile: molecular, chromosomic, and morphological analyses.

A small, new species of gerbil rodents of the genus Eligmodontia from the southwestern dunes of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile is described; the genus had not been reported for this western lowland region. Our description is based on cytogenetic and molecular data, as well as cranial and external morphology. In order to support this hypothesis, we studied 27 specimens captured in Playa Los Choros (Coquimbo) and Copiapó (Atacama), comparing them with samples of all the extant species of the genus. Nineteen individuals consistently showed 2N=50, FN=48, with telocentric chromosomes and G-bands identical to those of the geographically northeastern E. hirtipes; these two groups were geographically separated by E. puerulus (2N = 34, FN = 48). The phylogenetic analysis of 56 Eligmodontia cytochrome-b gene sequences yielded a maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree where the new species formed a divergent and well-supported clade within the genus, which was also confirmed by unweighted parsimony, minimum evolution, and Bayesian analyses. The new species has K2P genetic distances of 12.8% from the geographically distant E. hirtipes, and 10.3% from E. puerulus. Axes 1 and 2 of Principal Component Analysis based on 12 body and skull measurements clearly separated the new species, the latter having a smaller head+body length (70.6 +/- 3.4 mm, n = 17) and lower weight (11.9 +/- 1.9 g, n = 20). We provide strong evidence to recognize a distinct new western lineage within Eligmodontia genus, Eligmodontia dunaris sp. nov., for which we give a complete taxonomic description and a hypothetical biogeographic scenario. The new species should be considered endangered, due to its level of endemism, its low population numbers (which can be occasionally increased after a blooming desert) and its fragile dry habitat patchily distributed near the Atacama Desert.

An introduction to the systematics of Akodon orophilus Osgood, 1913 (Rodentia: Cricetidae) with the description of a new species.

The genus Akodon is one of the most species-rich rodent lineages in South America. In Peru, this genus contains 14 species subdivided in two groups: aerosus and boliviensis. Akodon orophilus Osgood, 1913 (Rodentia: Cricetidae) is a member of the Akodon aerosus group that inhabits the northern Peruvian montane forest, but is poorly characterized and its distribution is vaguely known. We review the status of the species based on morphology, morphometric and karyology, and compared with all members of the Akodon aerosus clade from Peruvian montane forests. As a result, we provide a complete redescription of A. orophilus, present new information on its natural history, restrict its distribution to the east of Río Marai6n, and describe a new species of Akodon from Huánuco Department, central Peru, a population previously assigned to A. orophilus.

Detection of two morphologically cryptic species from the cursor complex (Akodon spp; Rodentia, Cricetidae) through the use of RAPD markers.

The cursor complex is a group within the Akodon genus of South American rodents, formed by Akodon cursor and A. montensis. Correct distinction between these two species is of great importance since they can harbor different Hantavirus strains. These species are only distinguishable by means of karyotypic or internal anatomic features, requiring dissection; recently, some other genetic methods have become available. We developed RAPD markers capable of distinguishing between A. cursor and A. montensis. Samples included 42 individuals of A. cursor from four localities and 16 individuals of A. montensis from two localities. Fifty-five bands, 41 of which were polymorphic, were analyzed. A principal component analysis showed that this set of markers could successfully distinguish between the two species, mainly based on three RAPD bands. The number of bands in each population was compared within a 95% confidence interval as a measure of intraspecific variability. The A. cursor populations were found to have marked genetic structure across the study area (AMOVA; F(ST )= 0.21), which in part might be because of the relatively limited dispersal capabilities of this species. Species-specific bands, with potential for species identification, were identified.

Comparative study of visual inter and intrahemispheric cortico-cortical connections in five native Chilean rodents.

Previous studies of the visual cortical organization in the rat and other rodent species have raised the possibility that the visual cortical plan in the rat is common to a large number of species within the order. We have tested this idea by comparing the visual plan in the rat to cortical subdivision schemes obtained from five native Chilean rodent species, including members of the Cricetidae family within the Miomorph group, as well as from the Octodontidae family within the Caviomorph group. Cortical subdivision schemes were inferred from the analysis of the patterns of callosal connections revealed following multiple injections of HRP contralaterally, as well as from ipsilateral cortico-cortical connections observed after small injections of horseradish peroxidase conjugated with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA-HRP) into striate cortex. As in the rat, callosal connections in the native rodents concentrate at the border between cytoarchitectonic areas 17 and 18a, and along the borders of discrete, sparsely callosal islands of cortex in lateral peristriate cortex. Furthermore, single injections of WGA-HRP into striate cortex produce multiple, separate fields of labeled cells and terminations in the cortex surrounding area 17. Together, our data supports the idea of a common plan of visual cortical organization among rodents by providing evidence that the visual cortex in the native species is subdivided into multiple visual areas in a manner that resembles the rat cortical plan.