Abstract

PARDINAS, Ulyses F. J; TETA, Pablo  and  SALAZAR-BRAVO, Jorge. A new tribe of sigmodontinae rodents (cricetidae). Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2015, vol.22, n.1, pp.171-186. ISSN 0327-9383.

Phylogenetic hypotheses based on molecular markers indicate that the so-called Reithrodon group, including the extant genera Euneomys, Neotomys, and Reithrodon, formerly within the tribe Phyllotini, is not monophyletic. In turn, a new clade of tribal rank is recovered constituted by Euneomys, Irenomys, and Neotomys, comprising a small, mostly Andean sigmodontine radiation. Within the new clade, here named and diagnosed, Irenomys appears as a taxon with many specialized traits, which suggests an early divergence associated with the exploitation of Nothofagus forests. The living members of the new tribe are characterized by several morphological features including grooved upper incisors, narrow and parallel-sided interorbital regions, enlarged interparietals, and simplified and hypsodont molars. This new phylogenetic scenario implies a high degree of craniodental convergence among several lineages of sigmodontine rodents. The tribal position of several high-crowned extinct forms of sigmodontine rodents (e.g., Panchomys, Tafimys), formerly allocated to the Reithrodon group, is in need of revision.

Keywords : Andean Region; Euneomys; Irenomys; Neotomys; Reithrodon.

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