O extenso trabalho desenvolvido por Peter Lund e outros naturalistas no século XIX no Carste de Lagoa Santa gerou um enorme volume de dados sobre a fauna local extinta e existente. Apesar destes trabalhos pioneiros clássicos, pouco se sabe sobre a fauna atual na região. Portanto, este estudo analisa a riqueza e diversidade da fauna moderna de pequenos roedores da região de Lagoa Santa e compara os resultados com os dados históricos obtidos por Lund e Winge (1836). Para isso, foram coletadas pelotas de coruja em cavernas calcáreas em Lagoa Santa, Cordisburgo e Sete Lagoas. As amostras foram divididas em duas categorias: ‘superficial’ (coletadas na superfície do chão das cavernas) e ‘estratificada’ (coletadas em pequenas escavações do chão das cavernas). Um total de 18 espécies de roedores foram identificados: 13 Cricetidae, 3 Echimyidae e 2 Muridae. A riqueza foi maior nas amostras ‘estratificadas’ quando comparadas no mesmo MNI com amostras ‘superficiais’, mas não diferiram na análise de rarefação.De acordo com os índices Shannon-Wiener e Pielou, a ‘estratificada’ foi considerada mais diversificada e com menor predominância de espécies. Nove espécies mencionadas ou descritas por Lund e Winge no século XIX como habitando a região foram ausentes em nossas amostras. A proporção de pequenos mamíferos nas amostras modernas foi diferente dos dados históricos, com predominância de Calomys spp. em vez de Necromys lasiurus, conforme registrado por Lund por métodos similares. É provável que as atividades humanas na região ao longo desses 180 anos tenham influenciado a fauna de Lagoa Santa, provocando extinções locais ou regionais.

The extensive work developed by Peter Lund and other naturalists in the nineteenth century in Lagoa Santa Karst has generated a large volume of data on the extinct and extant local fauna. Despite these classic pioneer works, little work has been done about the fauna currently present in the region. Therefore, this study analyzes the richness and diversity of the modern fauna of small rodents of the Lagoa Santa region and compares the results with the historical data of Lund and Winge. We collected owl pellets from calcareous caves in Lagoa Santa, Cordisburgo and Sete Lagoas. These pellets were divided in two categories for comparison: ‘superficial’ (collected on the surface of the cave floor) and ‘stratified’ (collected in small excavations in the cave floor). We identified a total of 18 rodent species: 13 Cricetidae, 3 Echimyidae and 2 Muridae. Richness considering the minimum number of individuals (MNI) was greater in ‘stratified’ samples than in ‘superficial’ samples, but the two sets of samples did not differ when considering rarefaction. According to the Shannon- Wiener and Pielou indices, the ‘stratified’ samples were more diverse and with less species dominance. Nine species mentioned or described by Lund and Winge in the nineteenth century as inhabiting this region were absent in our samples. The proportion of small mammals in owl pellets in the modern samples was different from historical data, with predominance of Calomys spp. instead of Necromys lasiurus, as recorded by Lund using similar methods. It is likely that human activities in the region over these 180 years have influenced the fauna of Lagoa Santa, triggering local or regional extinctions.

ABSTRACT The taxonomic identification of micromammals might be complicated when the study material is fragmented, as it is the case with pellets and fossil material. On the other hand, tooth morphology generally provides accurate information for species identification. Teeth preserve notably well, retaining their original morphology, unlike skulls and mandibles, which can get crushed or have missing parts. Here, we explored a geometric morphometrics approach (GM) to identify fragmented specimens of two sympatric Calomys Waterhouse, 1837 species - Calomys tener (Winge, 1888) and Calomys expulsus (Lund, 1841) - using the morphology of intact molars as the basis for identification. Furthermore, we included some specimens of uncertain taxonomic identification to test their affinities and the utility of the shape of the molar to identify incomplete specimens. We evaluated the variations in the shape of the first upper molar (M1) among 46 owl pellets specimens of Calomys, including C. expulsus (n = 15), C. tener (n = 15), and unidentified specimens treated as Calomys sp. (n = 16) through GM analysis using 17 landmarks. The data was explored using PCA, PERMANOVA, and Discriminant analyses over the Procrustes residuals matrix were applied to evaluate inter- and intraspecific shape differences. Also, we evaluated whether allometric shape differences could impact the data, but found no evidence of a correlation between size and shape. Our results support that shape differences in the M1 are effective for discriminating between C. tener and C. expulsus. Moreover, the unidentified specimens do not represent a third shape but could be identified with confidence either as C. tener or C. expulsus. Our results show that even with fragmentary materials, GM is a feasible and useful tool for exploring inter-specific shape differences and assisting in taxonomic identification as a complement to traditional qualitative description of diagnostic features in poorly preserved specimens.

We describe a new genus of sigmodontine rodent to allocate a fossil species from Lagoa Santa cave deposits, Habrothrix angustidens Winge, and a living species from southeastern Atlantic Forest described at the start of the past century, Akodon serrensis Thos. Tentatively, both forms are considered as synonyms pending a detailed revision of the genus. The new genus belongs to the Akodon Division of the diverse tribe Akodontini where, based on molecular evidence, it is sister to Thaptomys, another forest-dwelling akodontine. The new genus is characterized by a unique combination of morphological traits including tail shorter than head-and-body; manual and pedal digits with short claws; skull robust with pointed rostrum, broad and somewhat flat interorbital region with frontal borders divergent posteriorly, and enlarged braincase without crests; large incisive foramina with expanded palatal process of premaxillary; broad mesopterygoid fossa with anterior margin rounded; alisphenoid strut present; carotid arterial circulation pattern primitive; molars noticeably large in relation to the skull and moderately hypsodont; main molar cusps arranged in opposite pairs; first upper molar without anteromedian flexus; length of third lower molar subequal to those of second lower molar; mandible without distinct capsular process; gall bladder present; stomach unilocular and hemiglandular; 2n = 46 (FN = 46). The new genus is an Atlantic Forest endemic, indicating that the diversity of Akodontini has been overlooked outside of the Andes.

Describimos un nuevo género de roedor sigmodontino para ubicar una especie fósil de los depósitos de Lagoa Santa, Habrothrix angustidens Winge y una especie viviente del sudeste de la Selva Atlántica descripta en los comienzos de la centuria pasada, Akodon serrensis Thos. Tentativamente, ambas formas son consideradas sinónimos a la espera de una revisión detallada de la diversidad del género. El nuevo género pertenece a la División Akodonde la diversa tribu Akodontini donde, sobre la base de evidencia molecular, resulta hermano de Thaptomys, otro akodontino especialista de selva. El nuevo género se caracteriza por una combinación única de rasgos morfológicos incluyendo una cola más corta que el largo cabeza-cuerpo, garras de los dedos de la mano y el pie cortas, cráneo robusto con rostro puntiagudo, región interorbitaria ancha y algo chata con los bordes frontales divergentes hacia atrás y caja craneana agrandada y sin crestas, forámenes incisivos expandidos con proceso palatal del premaxilar bien desarrollado, fosa mesopterigoidea ancha con el borde anterior redondeado, barra alisfenoidea presente, patrón de circulación carotídea primitivo, molares notablemente grandes en relación a las proporciones del cráneo y moderadamente hipsodontes, principales cúspides de los molares dispuestas en pares opuestos, primer molar superior carente de flexo anteromediano, largo del tercer molar inferior subigual al del segundo molar inferior, mandíbula sin proyección capsular evidente, vesícula biliar presente, estómago unilocular-hemiglandular, 2n = 46 (FN = 46). El nuevo género es endémico de la Selva Atlántica indicando una insospechada diversidad de los Akodontini en regiones extraandinas.

ABSTRACT The cuticle is the outermost of the three cellular layers of the mammalian hair. It comprises numerous keratinized scales, whose morphology, combined with other microscopic characteristics of the hair, confers characteristic signature traits to various different species. This study aimed to analyze whether the cuticular patterns of the aristiform hair had any signature implications for the two species of the genus Abrawayaomys Cunha & Cruz, 1979. We identified the cuticular profiles of A. ruschi and A. chebezi. Both species have similar hair pattern. The base of the hair shows "irregular waved" scales with smooth and continuous edges, and the apex showed "transversal waved" small-sized scales with continuous and ornamented edges. The middle portion of the hair exhibits different cuticular patterns on different sides of a single hair follicle: "transversal waved" on the dorsal side and "narrow losangled" on the ventral side. This distribution pattern of the cuticular scales is an unprecedented record for any mammal, and it is an important generic feature that allows the identification of single samples, such as those found in predators' gastrointestinal contents. The species in question are considered rare due to the restricted number of specimens deposited in scientific collections. Our findings may contribute to expanding the species' geographic range by making it possible to identify it in various situations. These results highlight the relevance of studies pertaining the identification of the micromorphology of the aristiform hair, which can be used as a tool to accurately identify rodents.

Based on 2 collected specimens of the rodent Phaenomys ferrugineus (Thomas), an endemic species of the Atlantic Forest, novelty information about its anatomy is provided as well as the results of the first phylogenetic analysis based on DNA sequences including this genus. This sigmodontine is characterized by a skull with marked supraorbitary crests, a well developed basicranial region, a primitive circulatory carotid pattern, the presence of a tegmen tympani, the absence of alisphenoid strut, and a mandible showing an important development of the region where the internal pterigoid muscle inserts. Phaenomys has 12 ribs, an unilocular-hemiglandular stomach, lacks gall bladder and has a large blind gut. A phylogeny based on the combined analysis of 2 molecular markers retrieves Phaenomys as sister to the genus Wiedomys. The plausible existence of a clade including endemic genera of the southeastern portion of the subcontinent, is discussed.

Sobre la base de 2 ejemplares del roedor Phaenomys ferrugineus (Thomas), endémico de la Selva Atlántica, se aporta información novedosa sobre su anatomía y resultados del primer análisis filogenético basado en secuencias de ADN que incluye al género. Este sigmodontino se caracteriza por un cráneo con crestas supraorbitarias marcadas, un importante desarrollo de la región basicraneana, un patrón de circulación carotídea primitiva, tegmen timpánico presente, barra alisfenoidea ausente y mandíbula con gran desarrollo del sector donde inserta el músculo pterigoideo interno. Phaenomys presenta 12 costillas, un estómago unilocular-hemiglandular, carece de vesícula biliar y muestra un ciego de gran tamaño. Una hipótesis filogenética basada en datos moleculares combinados de 2 marcadores sugiere su condición de hermano del género Wiedomys. Se discute la plausible existencia de un clado que podría estar conformado por géneros endémicos de la región sudoriental del subcontinente.

Kerodon rupestris (Wied, 1820) é a espécie mais especialista entre os roedores caviídeos endêmica dos afloramentos rochosos da região semiárida do Brasil, a Caatinga. No presente trabalho foram descritos diferentes cariótipos para K. rupestris, baseado em amostras coletadas em Itapajé, Ceará (CE), Iraquara na Bahia (BA) e Botumirim em Minas Gerais (MG). As amostras incluem populações do norte, centro e sul da distribuição da espécie. Os resultados foram comparados com um cariótipo de Pernambuco, previamente descrito para a espécie. O número diploide (2n = 52) foi constante para as populações analisadas, mas o número fundamental (FN) variou de 92 em Itapajé (CE) e Iraquara (BA), para 94 em Botumirim (MG). Inversões pericêntricas afetando um pequeno par de cromossomos acrocêntricos podem explicar essa variação. Bandas C mostraram que a heterocromatina constitutiva estava distribuída na região pericentromérica de todos os cromossomos, constante para todas as amostras estudadas. Sítios de NOR foram encontrados nos pares de cromossomos 10 e 11, também constantes para todas as populações. O cromossomo X é inteiramente heterocromático, com grande concentração de heterocromatina nas porções intersticial e distal dos braços. Diferenças na composição cromossômica nas amostras de Botumirim são congruentes com os resultados prévios sobre a variabilidade cranial: os indivíduos de Botumirim apresentaram tamanho cranial maior do que os de outras populações no espaço de caractereres multivariados. Uma vez que Botumirim está a apenas 100 Km de distância da localidade-tipo, propõe-se -de acordo com os resultados publicados previamente- que o FN para a espécie seja classificado como politípico (94/92).

Kerodon rupestris (Wied, 1820) is the most specialized species among caviid rodents and is endemic to the extensive rocky outcrops in the semi-arid region in Brazil. Herein we describe different karyotypes for K. rupestris, based on samples collected in Itapajé, Ceará (CE), Iraquara in Bahia (BA), and Botumirim in Minas Gerais (MG). Our samples included northern, center and southern populations in the range of the species distribution. The results were compared with a karyotype from Pernambuco previously described for the species. The diploid number (2n = 52) was constant among the analyzed population samples, but the fundamental number (FN) varied from 92 in Itapajé (CE) and Iraquara (BA), to 94 in Botumirim (MG). Pericentric inversions affecting one small pair of acrocentric chromosomes may explain this variation. C-Bands showed that constitutive heterochromatin was distributed in the pericentromeric region of all chromosomes, constant for all examined populations. NOR sites were found in chromosomes pairs 10 and 11, constant for all populations. X chromosome was entirely heterochromatic, with greater heterochromatin concentration in interstitial and distal parts of the arms. Y chromosome was completely heterochromatic. Differences in chromosomal composition in Botumirim sample are congruent with the results of previous studies about cranial variability: Botumirim had the largest cranial size and was discriminated from other population samples in the multivariate character space. Since Botumirim is only 100 Km away from the type locality, it is proposed-in congruence with previously published results-that the FN for the species is polytypic (94/92).

A diversidade de primatas neotropicais está representada por 128 espécies, e no Brasil 26 estão em categorias de ameaça de extinção e 24 são endêmicas. Desses primatas ameaçados, 15 espécies ocorrem na Floresta Atlântica. A Mata do Paraíso, maior fragmento desse bioma em Viçosa, MG, possui área de 384,5 ha, cuja fauna de primatas está representada por Callicebus nigrifrons (Spix, 1823) e Callithrix sp. Este estudo objetivou estimar a densidade e tamanho populacional, bem como determinar a abundância dos primatas na Mata do Paraíso. Para estimar a densidade e tamanho populacional, foram percorridos cinco transectos lineares de 1 km cada, dispostos paralelamente no interior da mata, seguindo-se as premissas da metodologia Distance para transectos lineares. Os dados foram coletados de agosto de 2004 a fevereiro de 2006, durante 70 levantamentos, totalizando 82,7 km percorridos e 12 avistamentos para cada espécie dos referidos primatas. Adicionalmente, para determinar a abundância das espécies, consideraram-se visualizações obtidas em trilhas acessórias. Obteve-se uma densidade de 4,51 (IC = 2,40 - 8,48) grupos/km² para C. nigrifrons e de 7,45 (IC = 3,82 - 14,54) grupos/km² para Callithrix sp. A abundância de C. nigrifrons correspondeu a 1,43 indivíduo/10 km percorridos e a de Callithrix sp., 1,17 indivíduo/10 km percorridos. O tamanho populacional estimado para C. nigrifrons foi de 28 indivíduos e para Callithrix sp., de 86. Por fim, esses resultados corroboram a necessidade de novas pesquisas, objetivando detectar flutuações populacionais ao longo do tempo, com o intuito de preservar e manejar essas espécies.

The diversity of neo-tropical primates is represented by 128 species, with 26 threatened species, 24 of which are endemic of Brazil. Of these threatened primates, 15 species occur in the Atlantic Forest, indicating an alarming state of conservation due to anthropogenic factors. Mata do Paraíso, the largest fragment of this biome in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, comprises an area of 384.5 ha, whose primate population is represented by Callicebus nigrifrons (Spix, 1823), known by titi monkey, and Callithrix sp., denominated marmosets. The present study aimed at estimating the density and population size of these species, as well as at determining their abundance in the area. Five linear 1 km transects, placed in a parallel fashion in a representative portion of the forest, were covered by following the premises of the methodology Distance for linear transects. The data were collected from August 2004 to February 2006, with 70 samplings, totaling 82.7km being sampled, with 24 primate detections. A density of 4.51groups/km² for Callicebus nigrifrons and 7.45groups/km² for Callithrix sp was obtained. Callicebus nigrifrons' abundance corresponded to 1.43 individuals/10 km sampled, and the abundance of Callithrix sp. corresponded to 1.17 individuals/10 km sampled. The population size of Callicebus nigrifrons was estimated in 28 individuals and for Callithrix sp., in 86 individuals. This result corroborates the need for further research to detect fluctuations along time, aiming to preserve and manage these species.

Diante da crescente descaracterização do Bioma Cerrado em função da expansão da fronteira agropecuária na região central do Brasil, torna-se importante avaliar a capacidade de adaptação das espécies ao ambiente antropizado. Neste sentido, este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de estimar e comparar a densidade populacional da raposa-do-campo Lycalopex vetulus (Lund, 1842) em duas áreas com diferentes graus de alteração, pastagem e campo sujo, em Campinápolis, Mato Grosso. Para tanto, no período entre agosto a novembro de 2005, foram efetuados censos noturnos ao longo de transectos lineares, totalizando percursos de 129,8 km na área de campo sujo e 62,08 km na área de pastagem. Estimativas de densidade populacional foram geradas utilizando o programa Distance 5.0, sendo que o modelo e ajuste mais adequados aos dados foram half-normal + hermite. Foram obtidas 23 e 52 detecções de raposas-do-campo nas áreas de campo sujo e pastagem, respectivamente. A densidade populacional de raposa-do-campo na área de pastagem (D=4,28 indivíduos/km²; IC=2,69 - 6,82) foi maior que na área de campo sujo (D=1,21 indivíduos/km²; IC=0,73 - 2,01), fato que deve estar relacionado, principalmente, com a disponibilidade de alimento e redução de potenciais predadores. Por apresentar uma dieta composta principalmente de cupins, especialmente os dos gêneros Syntermes e Cornitermes, a raposa-do-campo encontra na área de pastagem uma base alimentar abundante e estável. Além disto, a simplificação ambiental, em função da implantação de pastagens acaba por reduzir, ou até mesmo eliminar, animais que são potenciais predadores de raposas-do-campo, como Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815), favorecendo o aumento da densidade populacional da espécie neste tipo de ambiente. Por fim, características adaptativas apresentadas pela raposa-do-campo têm permitido que esta espécie sobreviva, inclusive apresentando elevada densidade populacional, em áreas de pastagem utilizadas para a criação de gado, em Campinápolis, Mato Grosso, onde a vegetação original era Cerrado.

In face of the growing disturbance of the Cerrado biome, due to the expansion of the agricultural borders of Central Brazil, it becomes important to evaluate the adaptation capacity of animal species to the anthropized environment. Thus, this work was developed aiming to estimate and compare the population density of hoary fox Lycalopex vetulus (Lund, 1842) in two areas of Central Brazil with distinct disturbance degrees, pasture and campo sujo, a vegetation type of Cerrado. For this, during the period of August to November 2005, nocturnal sampling were done along linear transects, totaling 129.8 km in the campo sujo and 62.08 km in the pasture. A total of 23 sightings of hoary fox was obtained in campo sujo and 52 in the pasture. Estimations of population density were made using the Distance 5.0 software, which chose the half normal + hermite adjust as the model with best fit. Population density was higher in the pasture (D=4.28 individuals/km²; IC=2.69 - 6.82) than in the campo sujo (D=1.21 individuals/km²; IC=0.73 - 2.01), what is likely related, mainly, to higher availability of food and reduction of potential predators. As its diet is composed basically of termites, especially from the genera Syntermes and Cornitermes, the hoary fox find in the pasturage area an alimentary base abundant and stable. Moreover, the environmental simplification, due to the pasture implantation, end up reducing or to local extinction potential predators of the hoary fox, such as Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815), supporting the increase of population density of this specie in this kind of environment. Results indicate that the Cerrado endemic hoary fox is able to survive, and even proliferate, in highly modified areas of the Cerrado.

The aim is to determine the relationship between the diversity of small mammals and the structural heterogeneity and/or secondary successional stages in an Atlantic forest fragment at Viçosa (Minas Gerais). We used Sherman and hook live traps to sample this fauna, monthly from may 1992 to april 1993 in three areas: an abandoned plantation of Melinis minutiflora (campo) and two distinct forest areas (capoeira and mata). The structural heterogeneity was determined as a function of the presence of dead trees, pioneer species, epiphytes, the distances between trees, the tree height and basal area measured by a modified quadrant sample method (Cottam & Curtis 1945). lt was sampled a total of 340 individuals belonging to 17 species. The homogeneous plantations had the highest diversity (H' = 1,67). Among the two forests stands the less heterogeneous capoeira had similar diversity (H' = 1,19) than the more heterogeneous stand, the mata (H' = 1,13). The unexpected higher diversity and species richness in the more homogeneous habitat may be explained by some hidden factor which decrease the competition for resources in this community.