Daniel Edgardo Udrizar Sauthier

New record of anoplocephalid eggs (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) collected from rodent coprolites from archaeological and paleontological sites of Patagonia, Argentina.

Results of paleoparasitological examination of rodent coprolites collected from archaeological and paleontological sites from Patagonia, Argentina, are present. Each coprolite was processed, rehydrated, homogenized, spontaneously sedimented and examined using light microscope. Coprolites and eggs were described, measured and photographed, and were compared with current faeces of Lagidium viscacia. Eggs with morphological features, attributed to an anoplocephalid cestode were found in samples collected from Cueva Huenul 1 (36°5645″S, 69°4732″W, Neuquén Province, Holocene) and Los Altares Profile (43º5335″S, 68º2321″W, Chubut Province, Late Holocene). These are the first findings of this anoplocephalid from faecal material from patagonic rodents.

A new species of the tetraploid vizcacha rat Tympanoctomys (Caviomorpha, Octodontidae) from central Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract A new living species of the desert-adapted tetraploid rodent Tympanoctomys (Caviomorpha, Octodontidae) is described. The new form is restricted to the type locality in Chubut Province, central Patagonia, Argentina, although is known from at least 4 additional Holocene-aged localities along the middle and lower valley of the Chubut River. Tympanoctomys sp. nov. is smaller than the living T. barrerae, its general coloration is yellowish (reddish in T. barrerae) and its tail is equal to ∼43–50% of head and body length (∼49–53% in T. barrerae). Its skull and dentition are characterized by a unique combination of morphological traits, including narrow and posteriorly acuminate nasals (broad and barrel-shaped in T. barrerae), supraoccipital not laterally expanded (expanded in T. barrerae), and 8-shaped lower 3rd molar (comma-shaped in T. barrerae and †T. cordubensis). Morphometric and genetic evidence supports the specific distinction of this Patagonian endemic Tympanoctomys, also characterized by smaller sperm than T. barrerae. The reduced range of the new species, coupled with its recent extinction from the Chubut River valley and the potential impact of large uranium mining projects in central Patagonia, suggest that this species faces a severe extinction risk in the short term. Resumen Se describe una nueva especie viviente del roedor tetraploide desertícola Tympanoctomys (Caviomorpha, Octodontidae). La nueva forma está restringida a su localidad tipo en la provincia del Chubut, Patagonia central, Argentina, si bien es conocida al menos de 4 localidades de edad Holoceno a lo largo del valle medio e inferior del río Chubut. Tympanoctomys sp. nov. es más pequeña que la viviente T. barrerae; su coloración general es amarillenta (rojiza en T. barrerae) y su cola es relativamente más corta (∼43–50% de la longitud cabeza–cuerpo versus ∼49–53% en T. barrerae); su cráneo y dentición están caracterizados por una combinación única de rasgos morfológicos, incluyendo nasales estrechos y posteriormente acuminados (anchos y con forma de barril en T. barrerae), supraoccipital no expandido lateralmente (expandido en T. barrerae) y tercer molar inferior en forma de 8 (en forma de coma en T. barrerae y †T. cordubensis). Diferencias morfométricas y genéticas robustecen la distinción específica de este Tympanoctomys patagónico endémico, también caracterizado por espermatozoides más pequeños que los de T. barrerae. Su reducido rango de distribución, en conjunción con su extinción reciente en el curso medio e inferior del río Chubut y el potencial impacto de extensivos proyectos mineros en Patagonia central sugieren que esta especie enfrenta un riesgo severo de extinción en el corto plazo.

Animal Diversity, Distribution and Conservation

In this chapter, we summarize the ecological information available on the species of arthropods, reptiles, terrestrial birds and mammals known to occur at Peninsula Valdes, within the context of the Monte and Patagonia eco-regions. Two hundred species of insects and spiders, 12 species of reptiles, 139 species of birds and 23 species of native mammals inhabit today the island-like peninsula. We describe the community structure, distribution and abundance of the different taxa according to current knowledge. As the Peninsula Valdes region is a World Natural Heritage Site and a provincial protected area of high importance for the conservation of biodiversity and the regional economy, we found relevant to summarize knowledge on the effects of human activities on different components of biodiversity. Habitat degradation, grazing by domestic sheep and poaching are major threats to wildlife, although Peninsula Valdes still harbours some of the most abundant populations of wild species in Patagonia. It is a priority to implement the management plan available for Peninsula Valdes, taking into account the interactions between biodiversity, the different human activities and the physical environment. At the same time, it is necessary to identify and implement actions to conserve wild species and habitats, and also to develop programmes for the coexistence of responsible human activities and healthy wildlife populations.

Epigean Tenebrionids (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Leones and Tova-Tovita Islands (Chubut, Argentina) and Its Comparison with the Mainland Assemblage

Abstract. n The Parque Interjurisdiccional Marino Costero Patagonia Austral (PIMCPA) protects over 180 km of Patagonian Atlantic coastline of northern San Jorge gulf, including an archipelago that comprises more than 39 islands. In this work, we studied the darkling beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) of the two largest islands in the PIMCPA archipelago: Leones and Tova-Tovita. Tenebrionids are reported for first time in these islands, in addition, we described their species assemblage. Likewise, a comparison between the islands and the mainland was also performed. The GLM, MDS, ANOSIM and PCA methods were employed. Islands share the same tenebrionid species assemblage but they differ from that displayed on the mainland. Considering both islands as a whole, the insular assemblage shows lower species richness and diversity than those seen in the mainland. We identified eight species in the islands which belong to eight genera and four tribes. We also found that six of these species were shared among islands. Psectrascelis punctipennis Kulzer was exclusively recorded from the Tova-Tovita, while Platesthes kuscheli Kulzer from the Leones island. The island assemblage is mainly composed of nocturnal or crepuscular species [including Praocis (Hemipraocis) sellata bergi Burmeister, Patagonogenius quadricollis (Fairmaire), Emmallodera crenaticostata crenaticostata Blanchard and Scotobius akidioides akidioides Waterhouse], while several diurnal species of Nyctelia Berthold are the most common and diverse darkling beetles among mainland fauna. Additionally, we discuss the effects of the mainland distance, paleoclimate, and the origin of insular assemblages. Finally, other insular implications of tenebrionid beetles are discussed.