Systematic review of genus Cerradomys Weksler, percequillo and Voss, 2006 (Rodentia : Cricetidae : Sigmodontinae : Oryzomyini), with description of two new species from eastern Brazil

Cerradomy's is a monophyletic genus that includes four known species, Cerradomys subflavus, C maracajuensis, C. marinhus, and C. scotti, distributed throughout the open vegetation belt across South America, from northeastern Brazil to southeastern Bolivia, and from eastern to northwestern Paraguay. We revised the status of the species currently assigned to this genus by analyzing skins, skulls, karyotypes, and cytochrome b DNA sequences. We also described two novel species, one distributed in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, and Sergipe, and the other in the states of Paraiba, Pernambuco, Piaui, Ceara, and Maranhao. Molecular analysis suggested the following phylogenetics arrangement: (((C. subflavus-C. sp.n.2) C. sp.n.1) C scotti)(C. marinhus-C. maracajuensis)). Apparently, both novel species inhabit the Caatinga domain and penetrated the coastal Atlantic rainforest, differing from the remaining congeneric species that are typical open-area inhabitants.

Placentation in Sigmodontinae: a rodent taxon native to South America

Background: Sigmodontinae, known as ""New World rats and mice,"" is a large subfamily of Cricetidae for which we herein provide the first comprehensive investigation of the placenta. Methods: Placentas of various gestational ages ranging from early pregnancy to near term were obtained for five genera, i.e. Necromys, Euryoryzomys, Cerradomys, Hylaeamys, and Oligoryzomys. They were investigated by means of histology, immunohistochemistry, a proliferation marker, DBA-lectin staining and transmission electron microscopy. Results: The chorioallantoic placenta was organized in a labyrinthine zone, spongy zone and decidua and an inverted yolk sac persisted until term. The chorioallantoic placenta was hemotrichorial. The interhemal barrier comprised fetal capillary endothelium and three layers of trophoblast, an outermost, cellular layer and two syncytial ones, with interspersed trophoblast giant cells (TGC). In addition, accumulations of TGC occurred below Reichert's membrane. The junctional zone contained syncytial trophoblast, proliferative cellular trophoblast, glycogen cells and TGC that were situated near to the maternal blood channels. In three of the genera, TGC were also accumulated in distinct areas at the placental periphery. PAS-positive glycogen cells derived from the junctional zone invaded the decidua. Abundant maternal uNK cells with positive response to PAS, vimentin and DBA-lectin were found in the decidua. The visceral yolk sac was completely inverted and villous. Conclusion: The general aspect of the fetal membranes in Sigmodontinae resembled that found in other cricetid rodents. Compared to murid rodents there were larger numbers of giant cells and in some genera these were seen to congregate at the periphery of the placental disk. Glycogen cells were found to invade the decidua but we did not identify trophoblast in the walls of the deeper decidual arteries. In contrast these vessels were surrounded by large numbers of uNK cells. This survey of wild-trapped specimens from five genera is a useful starting point for the study of placentation in an important subfamily of South American rodents. We note, however, that some of these rodents can be captive bred and recommend that future studies focus on the study of time dated pregnancies.

WATER ABSORPTION of THE FUR and SWIMMING BEHAVIOR of SEMIAQUATIC and TERRESTRIAL ORYZOMINE RODENTS

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Análise citogenética de duas espécies do gênero Hylaeamys (Rodentia: Cricetidae) por citogenética clássica e molecular

Os roedores formam uma das mais numerosas e antigas ordens da classe Mammalia. Na América do Sul, a ordem Rodentia compreende cerca de 42% das espécies de mamíferos, sendo que desta parcela mais de 50% pertencem a família Cricetidae, que inclui a subfamília Sigmodontinae. O gênero Hylaeamys está agrupado na tribo Oryzomyini e corresponde a um dos 10 novos gêneros propostos para espécies e grupos de espécies dentro de Oryzomys. Hylaeamys corresponde ao “grupo megacephalus”, sendo constituído pelas espécies H. acritus, H. laticeps, H. megacephalus, H. perenensis, H. oniscus, H. tatei e H. yunganus distribuídas na Venezuela, Trinidad, Guianas, Paraguai e no Brasil, em áreas de floresta tropical amazônica, mata atlântica e cerrado. Este trabalho visa analisar marcadores cromossômicos em duas espécies do gênero Hylaeamys, fornecendo dados que auxiliem na sua caracterização taxonômica e citogenética. Foram trabalhadas dezenove amostras de Hylaeamys megacephalus (HME) e quatro de Hylaeamys oniscus (HON). HME apresenta 2n=54 e HON, 2n=52. Os resultados obtidos por bandeamentos G, C e por hibridização in situ, com sondas de cromossomo total de Hylaeamys megacephalus permitiram determinar as características cromossômicas das espécies em estudo, além de permitir uma análise comparativa entre as mesmas e em relação a Cerradomys langguthi, observando assim suas homeologias e diferenças cariotípicas. As duas espécies de Hylaeamys diferem por um rearranjo tipo fusão/fissão cêntrica onde HON apresenta a associação 14/19 de HME. Esta associação é compartilhada com CLA com inversão (19/14/19). Este trabalho é um marco para estudos de filogenia cromossômica do gênero Hylaeamys.

Swimming performance in semiaquatic and terrestrial Oryzomyine rodents

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Short-term effects of fire on small rodents in the Brazilian Cerrado and their relation with feeding habits

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)