Paraguaian Hairy Dwarf Porcupine

description

Taxonomy: Sphiggurus is a taxon in need of revision. Problems range from its distinction from Coendou Lacépède to the limits of its species, including S. spinosus. Although morphologically Sphiggurus is similar to Coendou (e. g., Handley & Pine 1992; but see Massoia & Vaccaro 1991), recent phylogenetic analysis of molecular data indicates that both constitute independent lineages (Bonvicino et al. 2002).

New and noteworthy records of Rodentia (Erethizontidae, Sciuridae, and Cricetidae) from Paraguay

discussion

Comments: To our knowledge, these specimens constitute the first records corroborated by voucher specimens for these departments of the Paraguayan Oriental Region. The specimen from Caazapá was collected in riparian forest of the Tebicuary River; the specimen from Itapúa was caught by hand in an artificial prairie about 300 m from the closest forest island.

New and noteworthy records of Rodentia (Erethizontidae, Sciuridae, and Cricetidae) from Paraguay

distribution

Distribution: Northeast Argentina, southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, northeastern Uruguay. New records: CAAZAPA: 17) Estancia Dos Marías, 12.2 Km SSO de las casas, Costa del Río Tebicuary, 26 º 47.719 ’ S 56 º 32.979´W (UMMZ 174975). ITAPUA: 18) Estancia San Isidro, 6.6 km NE of houses, 26 º 31.372 ’ S, 55 º 51.767´W (GD 252). Figure 1.

New and noteworthy records of Rodentia (Erethizontidae, Sciuridae, and Cricetidae) from Paraguay

conservation

Conservation: CITES – Appendix III (Uruguay); IUCN – Lower Risk (lc).

Order Rodentia - Family Erethizontidae