Abstract Eptesicus (Histiotus) magellanicus is a relatively rare and poorly known Patagonian endemic.This species is currently recognized as a valid, but until recently some authors treated it as a subspecies of E. (H.) montanus. In fact, no molecular data exist to support the distinctiveness of the former. In Patagonia, the distribution of these two species overlap marginally; they are also sympatric with a third Histiotus species, E. (H.) macrotus. In this study, we present for the first time molecular data that corroborate morphological evidence of the separation between E. (H.) magellanicus from other Eptesicus (Histiotus) species, in special the ones with which it shares its distribution. We sequenced a nuclear intron (THY) and the cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene from specimens of E. (H.) magellanicus, E. (H.) montanus, and E. (H.) macrotus, collected in the Chubut Province (Argentina), and from an undescribed Eptesicus (Histiotus) species from Peru. We included these sequences in a phylogenetic analysis together with previously published sequences of four typical Eptesicus species. The THY intron showed very little variation, while the Cyt b phylogeny recovered three highly supported Histiotusclades. A highly supported clade comprising all specimens of E. (H.) magellanicus was the first to split off Histiotus, suggesting that the Andean region was important during the early diversification of the genus. Unexpectedly, the clade containing the specimens of E. (H.) macrotus and E. (H.) montanus showed no internal resolution, either questioning their mutual identity as a separate species, or suggesting the occurrence of local hybridization and introgression.

Seven microsatellite loci were used to investigate the genetic variability and structure of six mainland and two island populations of the Neotropical water rat Nectomys squamipes, a South American semi-aquatic rodent species with a wide distribution. High levels of variability were found within mainland populations while island populations were less variable but the more differentiated in respect to allele number and frequency. The time of biological divergence between mainland and island populations coincided with geological data. A significant geographic structure was found in mainland populations (theta = 0.099; rho = 0.086) although the degree of differentiation was relatively low in respect to the distance between surveyed localities (24 to 740 km). Genetic and geographic distances were not positively correlated as previously found with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Significant but low genetic differentiation in the mainland and lack of isolation by distance can be explained by large population size and/or recent population expansion. Additionally, the agreement between the age of geologic events (sea level fluctuations) and divergence times for insular populations points to a good reference for molecular clock calibration to associate recent environmental changes and the distribution pattern of small mammals in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

A new Brazilian Calomys Waterhouse, 1837 species is described based on morphologic and karyologic data. This species is endemic to the Cerrado of Central Brazil and allopatric with all other species of the genus Calomys. Its chromosome complement (2n = 46, AN = 66) is different from those described in other Calomys species. Morphometric analysis significantly distinguished this new species from other Calomys of the Brazilian fauna like C. callosus (Renger, 1830), C. expulsus (Lund, 1841) and C. tener (Winge, 1887) and placed it among the large-sized Calomys.

Uma análise baseada em amplificação aleatória de ADN polimórfico (random amplified polymorphic DNA, RAPD) foi feita a fim de se estimar distâncias genéticas e a estruturação da variabilidade genética em populações de Nectomys squamipes, uma espécie de roedor de hábito semi-aquático, que está sempre associada a cursos d'água. Amostras de ADN de cinco populações foram analisadas utilizando-se três primers, que produziram um total de 45 bandas úteis, sendo 69% delas polimórficas. Os resultados mostraram uma diferenciação significativa entre as populações [F ST = 0,17; fiST = 0,14 (P < 0,004)], mas com uma taxa de fluxo gênico suficiente (Nm = 1,25) para minimizar os efeitos da deriva genética. Não foram encontrados marcadores exclusivos para nenhuma das populações. O teste de Mantel e a análise de agrupamento por UPGMA não evidenciaram relação entre as distâncias genéticas e as geográficas, indicando que não há um padrão de isolamento por distância. A aparente homogeneidade indicada pelos marcadores de RAPD vai ao encontro de dados morfométricos prévios, que não indicaram uma diferenciação substancial na extensa área de distribuição de N. squamipes. Algumas hipóteses alternativas podem ser levantadas para explicar estes resultados, como processos recorrentes de extinção e recolonização locais, ou um aumento súbito e recente da distribuição geográfica desta espécie.

Random amplified of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to assess genetic distance and the genetic structure of populations of Nectomys squamipes, a semiaquatic rodent species distributed along watercourses. DNA samples of five populations were analyzed using three primers, producing 45 scorable bands, 31 of which were polymorphic. There was a significant differentiation among populations [F ST = 0.17; phiST = 0.14 (P < 0.004)] but gene flow (Nm = 1.25) was sufficient to overcome genetic drift effects. No fixed specific markers were found for any population. The Mantel's test and UPGMA cluster analysis showed a lack of relationship between genetic and geographic distances. The apparent homogeneity indicated by RAPD markers coincided with morphometric data, despite the wide geographic range of N. squamipes. Alternative hypotheses for explaining our results include recurrent processes of local extinction and recolonization or a recent and sudden increase in the geographic distribution of this species.