Congruence between morphology and phylogeography in the Patagonian long-clawed mouse Chelemys macronyx (Rodentia, Cricetidae)
-
Pablo Teta
,
Ulyses F.J. Pardiñas
Abstract
Chelemys macronyx is a medium-sized, long-clawed sigmodontine of fossorial habits, distributed between 33°20′ and 51°30′S in the central and southern Andes of Argentina and Chile. Phylogeographic studies based on the analysis of mitochondrial DNA showed that this rodent has a shallow genealogy geographically structured into two main clades: one in the northern part of its range, at high-Andean localities in the Argentinean provinces of Mendoza and northern Neuquén, and the other covering medium- to low-elevation areas from northwestern Neuquén to southern Chile and Argentina. Qualitative and quantitative morphological characters show the existence of two main morphotypes of C. macronyx. Northern populations are characterized by a mesopterygoid fossa rounded at its anterior border and by a large and nearly circular foramen ovale, whereas in central and southern populations the mesopterygoid fossa is quadrate with an ovate to piriform foramen ovale. The described morphological variation is in congruence with the phylogeographic patterns identified by molecular markers. In light of these results, we suggest a simplified taxonomic arrangement on which two subspecies are recognized within C. macronyx, a northern one and a southern one for which the names C. m. macronyx and C. m. vestitus correspond, respectively.
Acknowledgments
We thank E. Lessa, I. Tomasco, M. Mora, G. Díaz, J. Pardiñas, A. Formoso, S. Cirignoli, D. Podestá, A. Bernardis, M. Tammone, E. Cuéllar, D. Udrizar, and A. Cuéllar for their assistance during fieldwork in Patagonia or the free access to studied samples. C. Borghi, D. Flores, J. Patton, and A. Spotorno granted access to the mammal collections of IADIZA, MACN, MVZ, and LCM, respectively. P. Cordeiro Estrella freely provided us the photographs of the holotype of Chelemys macronyx. Partial funds for this research were obtained from PIP 6179 and PICT 2008-547 to UP and FONDECYT 1110737 to GD. This is Grupo de Estudios de Mamíferos Australes contribution no. 3.
Appendix 1
Specimens examined
Acronyms for institutions and collections are as follows: Argentina: Buenos Aires, Colección Nacional de Mastozoología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” (MACN); Chubut, Puerto Madryn, Colección de Mamíferos del Centro Nacional Patagónico (CNP), Colección de Material de Egagrópilas y Afines “Elio Massoia” del Centro Nacional Patagónico (CNP-E); Mendoza, Mendoza, Colección de Mamíferos del Instituto Argentino de Zonas Áridas (CM); Chile: Santiago, Facultad de Medicina, Laboratorio de Citogenética (LCM), Universidad de Chile, Los Ríos, Valdivia, Colección de Mamíferos de la Universidad Austral de Chile (UACH); USA: California, Berkeley, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (MVZ). GBD correspond to field numbers of Gabriela B. Díaz and GD to Guillermo D’Elía. In the case of owl-pellet remains, the number of individuals precedes the catalog number.
Chelemys macronyx (n=148): Argentina: Chubut, 6 km E Aldea Beleiro (1, CNP-E 5005), 8.5 km NE of the conjunction between RN 40 and RP 17 (9, CNP-E 514), 41 km W Alto Río Senguer (22, CNP-E 473), Cabaña Arroyo Pescado (3, CNP-E 237), Cholila, matadero (1, CNP-E 135), Cueva Loncón, Estancia Leleque (8, CNP-E 235), El Blanco (4, CNP-E 139, 176), El Coihue (3, CNP-E 91), El Maitén (2, CNP-E 133), Estancia Santa María, Puesto El Chango (2, CNP-E 290), Estancia Talagapa (CNP 822, 1249), 4 km WSW Piedra Parada (2, CNP-E 33), Pinar de Calderón [El Blanco] (2, CNP-E 327), Sierra de Tepuel, Cañadón de la Madera (CNP 2373, 2374, 2375); Mendoza, 45 km ENE Volcán Peteroa (MVZ 165838, 165841, 165842, 165843, 165844, 165845), 6 km NW Las Leñas (MVZ 183283, 183284, 183285, 183286), Las Leñas (CM 06240, 06246, 06247), La Valenciana, Cerro Colorado (CNP 1896, 3624, GBD 1136), Laguna de la Niña Encantada (3, CNP-E 55, 409); Neuquén, 2.6 km NW Puente Carreri (4, CNP-E 186), 4 km SW Laguna Tromen (1, CNP-E 563), 12 km NE Parque Provincial Tromen (1, CNP-E 529), Cajón Grande, Arroyo Curi Leuvú (7, CNP-E 632, 641), Cueva Coliguay (1, CNP-E 640), Cueva Corral II (1 individual), Cueva de las Mil Chivas (3, CNP-E 638), Cueva del Indio (2 individuals), Cueva Traful I (1, CNP-E 595), El Malal de Tricao (1, CNP-E 633), Estancia Chapelco (1, CNP-E 576), Estancia Las Breñas (2, CNP-E 17), Estancia Las Breñas, Veranada (CNP 443, 444, 1784, 3628), Lago Lácar (MACN 13151), Lagunas de Epu-lauquen (CNP 441, 753), Laguna Varvarco Tapia (CNP 442), Parque Provincial Volcán Tromen (2, CNP-E 453), Mirador del Arroyo Pil Pil (CNP 440), Volcán Domuyo (CNP 439, 1480), Volcán Tromen (CNP 823); Río Negro, Río Castaño Overo, cerro Tronador (MACN 23595), Cerro “Microondas” (UACH 1458, 1459); Santa Cruz, 8 km E El Chaltén (3, CNP-E 418), 12.5 km W El Calafate (1, CNP-E 413), 18 km E Lago Posadas (2, CNP-E 499), El Calafate (MVZ 151014), Estancia La Ensenada (CNP 445, 446, 3629), Lago Viedma (MACN 15.1), Parque Nacional Perito Moreno, Cerro Casa de Piedra (3, CNP-E 388). Chile: Aisen, Coyhaique (UACH 1049, 1050, 1051, 3628, 3629, 3630, 3631, 3632, 3633, 3634, 3636, 3639, 3640, 3641), Sector El Manzano (GD 931, 935, 950); Araucanía, Petronquines (UACH 2411), Pino Hachado (UACH 3782, 3784, 3785, 3787, 3788, 3793), Villarica, Quetropillan (UACH 2410); Biobío, Termas de Chillán (UACH 1460); Magallanes, Última Esperanza, Puerto Natales, Estancia La Cumbra (UACH 303); Santiago, El Morado y Las Melosas (LCM 1761).
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