Nicté Ordóñez-Garza

Microbiome analysis among bats describes influences of host phylogeny, life history, physiology and geography

Metagenomic methods provide an experimental approach to inform the relationships between hosts and their microbial inhabitants. Previous studies have provided the conceptual realization that microbiomes are dynamic among hosts and the intimacy of relation between micro‐ and macroorganisms. Here, we present an intestinal microflora community analysis for members of the order Chiroptera and investigate the relative influence of variables in shaping observed microbiome relationships. The variables ranged from those considered to have ancient and long‐term influences (host phylogeny and life history) to the relatively transient variable of host reproductive condition. In addition, collection locality data, representing the geographic variable, were included in analyses. Results indicate a complex influence of variables in shaping sample relationships in which signal for host phylogeny is recovered at broad taxonomic levels (family), whereas intrafamilial analyses disclosed various degrees of resolution for the remaining variables. Although cumulative probabilities of assignment indicated both reproductive condition and geography influenced relationships, comparison of ecological measures among groups revealed statistical differences between most variable classifications. For example, ranked ecological diversity was associated with host phylogeny (deeper coalescences among families were associated with more microfloral diversity), dietary strategy (herbivory generally retained higher diversity than carnivory) and reproductive condition (reproductively active females displayed more diverse microflora than nonreproductive conditions). Overall, the results of this study describe a complex process shaping microflora communities of wildlife species as well as provide avenues for future research that will further inform the nature of symbiosis between microflora communities and hosts.

Patterns of phenotypic and genetic variation in three species of endemic Mesoamerican Peromyscus (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Abstract Three species of Mexican deer mice of the Peromyscus mexicanus species group (P. grandis, P. guatemalensis, and P. zarhynchus) were characterized morphologically and genetically to test hypothesized concepts of species limits. We investigated if previously proposed phenetic relationships among these 3 taxa were supported by morphometric and genetic data. Analyses of nongeographic and geographic variation for individuals from 36 localities in Guatemala and southeastern Mexico were conducted to assay morphologic and geographic boundaries. In addition, 35 mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene sequences were analyzed using maximum-parsimony and Bayesian inference methods to determine relationships among the 3 taxa. This study based on comparisons to type specimens provided support for the presence of 3 morphologically and genetically distinct units. Our analyses suggest that P. grandis and P. guatemalensis are more closely related to each other than either is to P. zarhynchus, rejecting existing hypotheses that suggest that P. zarhynchus and P. grandis are phenetically more similar. The results of this study depict relationships among other members of the P. mexicanus group and patterns of speciation and biogeography and allow identification of regionally important phylogeographic units in Mesoamerica.

Morphometric, karyotypic, and molecular evidence for a new species of Peromyscus (Cricetidae: Neotominae) from Nayarit, Mexico

Abstract Historically, specimens representing the Peromyscus boylii species group (from montane regions of western and southwestern Mexico) have been referred to as P. boylii or P. levipes. However, previous studies indicated that specimens from eastern Nayarit possessed a karyotype and mitochondrial DNA haplotype distinct from other members of the P. boylii species group. Together, these data precluded an assignment of these specimens to any currently recognized taxon in the P. boylii species group. Availability of additional specimens from this region provided an opportunity to reevaluate the taxonomic status of this complex. Analyses of 18 morphological characters demonstrated that specimens from eastern Nayarit possessed a significantly longer length of the nasals relative to the other species. Further, phylogenetic analyses (parsimony and likelihood) of DNA sequences obtained from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene indicate these specimens form a monophyletic clade embedded within a strongly supported clade containing representatives of P. beatae, P. levipes, and P. schmidlyi. Together, these results indicated that specimens from the Sierra Madre Occidental region of Nayarit represent an undescribed species of Peromyscus. Resumen Históricamente, los especímenes que representan al grupo de especies de Peromyscus boylii (de regiones montanas del oeste y suroeste de México) han sido identificadas como P. boylii o P. levipes. Sin embargo, estudios previos han indicado que los especímenes del este de Nayarit poseen un cariotipo y un haplotipo del ADN mitocondrial distinto al de otros miembros del grupo de especies de P. boylii. Juntos, estos datos excluyen la asignación de dichos especímenes a cualquier taxón actualmente reconocido en el grupo de especies de P. boylii. La disponibilidad de muestras adicionales de esta región permitió reevaluar la taxonomía de este complejo. El análisis de 18 caracteres morfológicos demostró que los especímenes procedentes del este de Nayarit poseen una longitud significativamente mayor del hueso nasal en relación a otras especies de este complejo. Además, análisis filogenéticos (parsimonia y verosimilitud) de secuencias de ADN obtenidas del gen mitocondrial citocromo-b indican que estos especímenes forman un clado monofilético embebido dentro de otro clado que, con fuerte apoyo estadístico, contiene a representantes de P. beatae, P. levipes, y P. schmidlyi. En conjunto, todos estos resultados indican que los especímenes de la región de Sierra Madre Occidental de Nayarit representan una especie no descrita de Peromyscus.

Systematics of the Neotoma mexicana species group (Mammalia: Rodentia: Cricetidae) in Mesoamerica: new molecular evidence on the status and relationships of N. ferruginea Tomes, 1862

Abstract Analyses of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene were used to determine levels of genetic differentiation and patterns of relationship among members of the Neotoma mexicana (Mexican woodrat) species group in Mesoamerica. Three well-supported clades were obtained that conform to the species N. ferruginea Tomes, 1862, N. mexicana Baird, 1855, and N. picta Goldman, 1904. Neotoma ferruginea is the senior name for the clade that contains samples from southern Mexico and Nuclear Central America previously identified as N. isthmica Goldman, 1904, or as subspecies of N. mexicana (chamula Goldman, 1909; vulcani Sanborn, 1935). The phylogeographic pattern observed within the N. mexicana species group resembles that reported for other vertebrates co-distributed in mountains to the west (Trans-Mexican Neovolcanic Belt, Oaxacan sierras) and east (highlands of Chiapas, Mexico, and Nuclear Central America) of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Resumen Análisis filogenéticos del gen mitocondrial Citocromo b se utilizaron para determinar los niveles de diferenciación genética y los patrones de relaciones entre miembros del grupo de especies de Neotoma mexicana en Mesoamerica. Se obtuvieron tres clados bien soportandos que están conformados por las especies Neotoma ferruginea Tomes, 1862; N. mexicana Baird, 1855; y N. picta Goldman, 1904. Neotoma ferruginea es el nombre más antiguo para el clado que contiene muestras del sur de México y Centro América Nuclear que previamente fueron identificadas como N. isthmica Goldman, 1904, y una subespecie de N. mexicana (chamula Goldman, 1909; vulcani Sanborn, 1935). El patrón filogeográfico observado entre el grupo de especies de N. mexicana se asemeja al reportado para otros vertebrados co-distribuidos en las montañas del Oeste (Eje neovolcánico transversal, Sierras de Oaxaca) y el Este (tierras altas de Chiapas, México y Centro América Nuclear) del Itsmo de Tehuantepec.

Peromyscus schmidlyi (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Abstract Peromycus schmidlyi Bradley et al., 2004, is a Reithrodontomyine (formally Peromyscini) rodent commonly called Schmidlys deermouse. It is endemic to Mexico, known only from Durango, Sinaloa, and Sonora at elevations greater than 2,000 m. It inhabits rocky hillsides in the pine-oak forest regions of the northern and central portions of the Sierra Madre Occidental. P. schmidlyi is a member of the P. boylii species group and is closely related to P. beatae and P. levipes. At this time, it is not considered to be a species deserving special conservation concern.

Molecular and morphologic data reveal multiple species in Peromyscus pectoralis

DNA sequence and morphometric data were used to re-evaluate the taxonomy and systematics of Peromyscus pectoralis. Phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) of DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene in 44 samples of P. pectoralis indicated 2 well-supported monophyletic clades. The 1st clade contained specimens from Texas historically assigned to P. p. laceianus; the 2nd was comprised of specimens previously referable to P. p. collinus, P. p. laceianus, and P. p. pectoralis obtained from northern and eastern Mexico. Levels of genetic variation (~7%) between these 2 clades indicated that the genetic divergence typically exceeded that reported for other species of Peromyscus. Samples of P. p. laceianus north and south of the Río Grande were not monophyletic. In addition, samples representing P. p. collinus and P. p. pectoralis formed 2 clades that differed genetically by 7.14%. Multivariate analyses of external and cranial measurements from 63 populations of P. pectoralis revealed 4 morpho-groups consistent with clades in the DNA sequence analysis: 1 from Texas and New Mexico assignable to P. p. laceianus; a 2nd from western and southern Mexico assignable to P. p. pectoralis; a 3rd from northern and central Mexico previously assigned to P. p. pectoralis but herein shown to represent an undescribed taxon; and a 4th from southeastern Mexico assignable to P. p. collinus. Based on the concordance of these results, populations from the United States are referred to as P. laceianus, whereas populations from Mexico are referred to as P. pectoralis (including some samples historically assigned to P. p. collinus, P. p. laceianus, and P. p. pectoralis). A new subspecies is described to represent populations south of the Río Grande in northern and central Mexico. Additional research is needed to discern if P. p. collinus warrants species recognition.

COYOTES (CANIS LATRANS) IN GUATEMALA

Abstract Records of coyotes (Canis latrans) from Guatemala are based mostly on observational records. We review existing literature for coyotes in Guatemala and report the first specimen from this country.

The taxonomic status of Long-tailed shrews (Mammalia: genus Sorex ) from Nuclear Central America

We examined 256 specimens of long-tailed shrews (Sorex) from 53 localities throughout the highlands of Nuclear Central America. We evaluate the efficacy of using three qualitative characteristics to identify populations of Sorex from Nuclear Central America: 1) the presence or the absence of a postmandibular foramen and canal; 2) relative size of U3 compared to U4; and, 3) the presence or absence of a pigmented ridge on the lingual side of each unicuspid tooth. In our data, the first character is invariable for the specimens we examined. Two species groups can be recognized based on the presence (S. salvini species group) or the absence of a postmandibular foramen and canal (S. veraepacis species group). The other two characteristics were useful, but not diagnostic. Based upon Principal Component Analysis we recognize nine species of Sorex in Nuclear Central America. Five species belong to the S. salvini species group: S. cristobalensis, S. salvini, S. sclateri, S. stizodon, and a new species from Honduras. Four species belong to the S. veraepacis species group: S. chiapensis, S. ibarrai, S. veraepacis, and a new species from western Guatemala. We also present evidence that the type locality (Cobán, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala) for S. veraepacis is not correct.

Small mammals from the Chelemhá Cloud Forest Reserve, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala

Abstract We surveyed the small mammals of remnant mixed hardwood-coniferous cloud forest at elevations ranging from 2,100–2,300 m in the Chelemhá Cloud Forest Reserve, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Removal-trapping using a combination of live traps, snap traps, and pitfall traps for 6 days in January 2007 resulted in 175 captures of 15 species of marsupials, shrews, and rodents. This diversity of small mammals is the highest that we have recorded from a single locality of the 10 visited during eight field seasons in the highlands of Guatemala. Based on captures, the most abundant species in the community of small mammals is Peromyscus grandis (n = 50), followed by Handleyomys rhabdops (n = 27), Heteromys desmarestianus (n = 18), Reithrodontomys mexicanus (n = 17), Handleyomys saturatior (n = 16), Sorex veraepacis (n = 15), and Scotinomys teguina (n = 13). The remaining eight species were represented by one to five individuals.

Small Mammals from Three Mountain Ranges in Nuclear Central America

ABSTRACT Small mammal ecology and natural history are poorly known in Nuclear Central America. In an effort to gain information on small mammals (insectivorans, marsupials, and rodents), we sampled three cloud forest habitats in mountain ranges in Honduras (Cerro Celaque and Sierra de Agalta) and Guatemala (Sierra de las Minas). Small mammals were collected using removal trapping. A total of 789 specimens representing 23 species of small mammal was recorded from seven trapping sites. Trapping effort varied among sites, with a total of 18,117 total trap nights recorded. We describe the habitat at each trapping site, and report on species diversity, relative abundance, sex ratios, reproductive activity, and other natural history information on the mammals collected. In general, cloud forests in the three mountain ranges contained different communities of small mammals. We recorded only three species, Heteromys desmarestianus Gray, 1862, Peromyscus oaxacensis Merriam, 1898, and Scotinomys teguina (Alston, 1877), on all three mountain ranges.