Papers by Santiago F Burneo
PeerJ, Apr 19, 2022
The Andean cloud forests of Ecuador are home to several endemic mammals. Members of the Thomasomy... more The Andean cloud forests of Ecuador are home to several endemic mammals. Members of the Thomasomyini rodents are well represented in the Andes, with Thomasomys being the largest genus (47 species) of the subfamily Sigmodontinae. Within this tribe, however, there are genera that have escaped a taxonomic revision, and Chilomys Thomas, 1897, constitutes a paradigmatic example of these "forgotten" Andean cricetids. Described more than a century ago, current knowledge of this externally unmistakable montane rodent is very limited, and doubts persist as to whether or not it is monotypic. After several years of field efforts in Ecuador, a considerable quantity of specimens of Chilomys were collected from various localities representing both Andean chains. Based on an extensive genetic survey of the obtained material, we can demonstrate that what is currently treated as C. instans in Ecuador is a complex comprising at least five new species which are described in this paper. In addition, based on these noteworthy new evidence, we amend the generic diagnosis in detail, adding several key craniodental traits such as incisor procumbency and microdonty. These results indicate that Chilomys probably has a hidden additional diversity in large parts of the Colombian and Peruvian territories, inviting a necessary revision of the entire genus.
Revista Ecuatoriana de Medicina y Ciencias Biológicas (REMCB), Oct 31, 2009
The journal of cetacean research and management, Sep 28, 2022
A male 16.9m fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) was stranded on 3 April 2019 at Chanduy southweste... more A male 16.9m fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) was stranded on 3 April 2019 at Chanduy southwestern Ecuador (2°23'29.4"S, 80°44'17.96"W). Its colouration pattern, including the whitecoloured right side of the mouth and around 200 cream-coloured baleens, are characteristics of the species. This is the first confirmed record of the species in almost a century in mainland Ecuador. A skin sample was taken for molecular studies. Fragments of the D-loop and CytB mitochondrial genes were amplified and compared with global databases. The D-loop fragment matched with a haplotype found in a fin whale from the Central-south of Chile and the CytB with several populations in both hemispheres. Our findings confirm that the Ecuadorian coast is part of the distribution area of southeastern Pacific fin whales.
Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 2021
As geographic range estimates for the IUCN Red List guide conservation actions, accuracy and ecol... more As geographic range estimates for the IUCN Red List guide conservation actions, accuracy and ecological realism are crucial. IUCN's extent of occurrence (EOO) is the general region including the species' range, while area of occupancy (AOO) is the subset of EOO occupied by the species. Data-poor species with incomplete sampling present particular difficulties, but species distribution models (SDMs) can be used to predict suitable areas. Nevertheless, SDMs typically employ abiotic variables (i.e., climate) and do not explicitly account for biotic interactions that can impose range constraints. We sought to improve range estimates for data-poor, parapatric species by masking out areas under inferred competitive exclusion. We did so for two South American spiny pocket mice: Heteromys australis (Least Concern) and Heteromys teleus (Vulnerable due to especially poor sampling), whose ranges appear restricted by competition. For both species, we estimated EOO using SDMs and AOO with four approaches: occupied grid cells, abiotic SDM prediction, and this prediction masked by approximations of the areas occupied by each species' congener. We made the masks using support vector machines (SVMs) fit with two data types: occurrence coordinates alone; and coordinates along with SDM predictions of suitability. Given the uncertainty in calculating AOO for low-data species, we made estimates for the lower and upper bounds for AOO, but only make recommendations for H. teleus as its full known range was considered. The SVM approaches (especially the second one) had lower classification error and made more ecologically realistic delineations of the contact zone. For H. teleus, the lower AOO bound (a strongly biased underestimate) corresponded to Endangered (occupied grid cells), while the upper bounds (other approaches) led to Near Threatened. As we currently lack data to determine the species' true occupancy within the post-processed SDM prediction, we recommend that an updated listing for H. teleus include these bounds for AOO. This study advances methods for estimating the upper bound of AOO and highlights the need for better ways to produce unbiased estimates of lower bounds. More generally, the SVM approaches for post-processing SDM predictions hold promise for improving range estimates for other uses in biogeography and conservation.
Applied Spectroscopy, Apr 18, 2023
We describe an entomological dual-band 808 and 980 nm lidar system which has been implemented in ... more We describe an entomological dual-band 808 and 980 nm lidar system which has been implemented in a tropical cloud forest (Ecuador). The system was successfully tested at a sample rate of 5 kHz in a cloud forest during challenging foggy conditions (extinction coefficients up to 20 km–1). At times, the backscattered signal could be retrieved from a distance of 2.929 km. We present insect and bat observations up to 200 m during a single night with an emphasis on fog aspects, potentials, and benefits of such dual-band systems. We demonstrate that the modulation contrast between insects and fog is high in the frequency domain compared to intensity in the time domain, thus allowing for better identification and quantification in misty forests. Oscillatory lidar extinction effects are shown in this work for the first time, caused by the combination of dense fog and large moths partially obstructing the beam. We demonstrate here an interesting case of a moth where left- and right-wing movements induced oscillations in both intensity and pixel spread. In addition, we were able to identify the dorsal and ventral sides of the wings by estimating the corresponding melanization with the dual-band lidar. We demonstrate that the wing beat trajectories in the dual-band parameter space are complementary rather than covarying or redundant, thus a dual-band entomological lidar approach to biodiversity studies is feasible in situ and endows species specificity differentiation. Future improvements are discussed. The introduction of these methodologies opens the door to a wealth of possible experiments to monitor, understand, and safeguard the biological resources of one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth.
Revista Ecuatoriana de Medicina y Ciencias Biológicas, 2009
<i>Microryzomys altissimus</i> (Osgood, 1933) <b>Material captured.</b> F... more <i>Microryzomys altissimus</i> (Osgood, 1933) <b>Material captured.</b> Four females and 19 males (QCAZ 17907–17919), measurements (in mm): total 174–202, ear 13–17, foot 19–25; 03°03′43″S, 079°13′54″W; 3,860 – 3,760 m; 26, 31 July; 2–5, 7 August 2018; collectors: Lee, Tinoco and Crockett. These specimens were collected in herbaceous paramo stream and patch forest in Sherman traps. <b>Identification.</b> These specimens are brownish dorsally with a grayish grizzled head (Fig. 2E). The tail is bicolored and less than 142 percent of head and body length, that is indicative of <i>M. altissimus</i> (Carleton and Musser 1989). The hands and feet are whitish. The incisor tubercle on the dentary is short and indistinct and the length of maxillary toothrow is greater than 3 mm. The incisive foramina are long, penetrating M1 (Carleton 2015). <i>Microryzomys minutus</i> has a unicolored tail greater than 145 percent of head and body length. The incisor tubercle on the dentary is distinct and large, the length of maxillary toothrow is less than 3 mm, and the incisive foramina do not penetrate M1.
FIGURE 1. Map of Venezuela and neighboring Colombia showing the collection localities of specimen... more FIGURE 1. Map of Venezuela and neighboring Colombia showing the collection localities of specimens of Sturnira adrianae, new species. Solid circles correspond to S. a. adrianae. Solid triangles correspond to S. a. caripana. Abbreviations are: SA, Sierra de Aroa; SB, Sierra de Bobare; SC, Sistema Coriano; SL, Sierra de San Luis (part of SC); SM, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta; 1, Táchira Depression; 2, Lara Depression; 3, Yaracuy Depression; 4, Unare Depression. For locality data, see Appendix.
FIGURE 5. Distribution of L. carrikeri, modified from Camacho et al. (2014). The star marks the t... more FIGURE 5. Distribution of L. carrikeri, modified from Camacho et al. (2014). The star marks the type locality of L. yasuni. Triangles mark the locations of samples used in the genetic and morphological analyses.
American Museum Novitates
<i>Lophostoma carrikeri</i> (Allen, 1910) Carriker's Round-eared Bat Figure 4 <... more <i>Lophostoma carrikeri</i> (Allen, 1910) Carriker's Round-eared Bat Figure 4 <i>Chrotopterus carrikeri</i> Allen, 1910: 147; type locality "Rio Mocho" Bolívar, Venezuela. <i>Tonatia carrikeri</i> Goodwin, 1942: 207; name combination. <i>Lophostoma carrikeri</i>: Lee, Hoofer, and Van Den Bussche, 2002: 55; first use of current name combination. <i>Lophostoma yasuni</i> Fonseca and Pinto, 2004: 1; type locality "vicinity of the Yasuní Research Station (00° 30 'S, 75 ° 55 'W, 220 m), Yasuní National Park and Biosphere Reserve, Province of Orellana, Ecuador." <i>L</i> [<i>ophostoma</i>]. <i>yasuni</i>: Tirira, 2007: 278 name combination. <b>Distribution.</b> <i>Lophostoma carrikeri</i> is restricted to South America, known from Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia (Figure 5). <b>Emended diagnosis.</b> <i>Lophostoma carrikeri</i> is a medium size round-eared bat (FA 42.2–47.7 mm, GLS 23.0– 26.6 mm; CCL 19.0– 21.3 mm). <i>L. carrikeri</i> is larger than <i>L. brasiliense</i> and <i>L. schulzi</i>, but smaller than <i>L. evotis</i>, <i>L. occidentalis</i>, and <i>L. silvicolum</i>. All measurements overlap with those of <i>L. kalkoae</i> and <i>L. schulzi</i> (Table 2). Craniodental measurements including variation from recently recorded specimens are presented in Table 5. <i>L. carrikeri</i> is easily identified by its plain white ventral fur from the throat through the abdomen, bordered along the flanks by the gray-brown dorsal fur (Figure 4). Dorsal pelage is long and tricolored, with pale to whitish tips. Nose-leaf, chin, and base of the ears are blackish brown. These characters are shared with <i>L. kalkoae</i> although the latter has dark brown gular fur, whereas in <i>L. carrikeri</i> this region is pale to whitish. <i>L. carrikeri</i> lacks the white to pale post-auricular patches connected to the chest by a band of pale hairs present in <i>L. kalkoae</i>, <i>L. occidentalis</i>, and <i>L. evotis</i>. Ears are light brown to blackish with or without a whitish [...]
<i>Sturnira adrianae adrianae</i> new subspecies Adriana's Yellow-shouldered Bat ... more <i>Sturnira adrianae adrianae</i> new subspecies Adriana's Yellow-shouldered Bat Murciélago de Charreteras de Adriana <b>Holotype</b> (Fig. 4). An adult male (CVULA 8570), consisting of cranium, mandibles, partial postcranial skeleton, and study skin. <b>Type locality.</b> Venezuela, Estado Barinas, Carretera Santo Domingo–Barinitas, 1 km frontera Mérida – Barinas: latitude, 8.865°; longitude, -70.593°; elevation, 1560 m. <b>Paratypes.</b> We designate as paratypes one female (CVULA 8770) from the type locality, and one male (CVULA 8586) and one female (CVULA 8585) from Venezuela, Estado Mérida, Sector Cucuchica, 5.8 km ENE Tovar, 8.337°, -71.701°, 930 m. Prepared as the holotype. For all the specimens referred to the species, see Appendix. <b>Measurements of the type material.</b> The linear measurements (mm) and body masses (g) of the types, males first (CVULA 8570, 8586, 8585, 8770), are: skull length, 24.7, 24.7, 23.7, 23.5; condyloincisive length, 23.1, 23.3, 22.3, 22.4; condylocanine length, 21.8, 22.1, 21.0, 21.4; postorbital breadth, 6.6, 6.5, 6.5, 6.5; braincase breadth, 11.1, 11.2, 10.8, 11.0; mastoid breadth, 12.9, 13.3, 12.8, 12.5; zygomatic breadth, 15.1, 14.8, 14.4, 14.3; maxillary toothrow length, 7.3, 7.4, 7.0, 6.9; M2-M2 breadth, 9.1, 8.8, 8.6, 8.2; dentary length, 16.7, 16.4, 15.4, 15.5; mandibular toothrow length, 8.2, 8.1, 7.9, 7.8; forearm length, 47.1, 47.0, 48.1, 44.8; third metacarpal length, 43.9, 43.2, 42.9, 40.6; fourth metacarpal length, 44.4, 43.8, 42.9, 41.0; fifth metacarpal length, 45.2, 45.2, 44.8, 40.9; total length, 76.0, 77.0, 73.0, 71.0; hind-foot length, 13.0, 16.0, 14.5, 12.0; ear length, 18.0, 18.0, 18.0, 18.0; body mass, 25.0, 29.0, 23.5, 20.5. <b>Diagnosis.</b> Epaulettes (yellow shoulders) present. Lower molars with continuous lingual cusps. All four lower incisors well developed, bilobed. Upper middle incisor long, bilobed, pointed, strikingly protrudent, tip laterally diverging. Lower canine long, narrow. Upper premolars broad and long in labial view. Molars with no ga [...]
<i>Phyllotis haggardi</i> Thomas, 1908 <b>Material captured.</b> Five fem... more <i>Phyllotis haggardi</i> Thomas, 1908 <b>Material captured.</b> Five females and 5 males (QCAZ 17920-17929), measurements (in mm): total 145–209, ear 17–25, foot 21–28; 03°03′15″S, 079°13′41″W; elevation 3,850 m; 24, 26, 29, 30 July; 2, 7 August 2018; collectors: Lee, Tinoco and Crockett. These specimens were collected in herbaceous paramo in Sherman traps. <b>Identification.</b> The dorsal fur is grayish with a broad dark midline. The ventral fur is white and distinctly contrasts with the dorsum (Fig. 2F). The ears are large and brownish in color. The feet are white. The bicolored tail is shorter than the head and body. The tail length in our specimens was less than 95 mm, which helps distinguish this species from sympatric <i>P. andium</i> (Pardiñas et al. 2017; Tirira 2017).
FIGURE 4. Lateral, dorsal, and ventral views of the crania, and lateral views of the mandibles of... more FIGURE 4. Lateral, dorsal, and ventral views of the crania, and lateral views of the mandibles of the holotypes. Left: Sturnira adrianae adrianae (male, CVULA 8570). Right: S. a. caripana (male, CVULA 8593).
FIGURE 3. Box-and-whisker plots summarizing the cranial and wing dimensions of Sturnira oporaphil... more FIGURE 3. Box-and-whisker plots summarizing the cranial and wing dimensions of Sturnira oporaphilum, S. adrianae adrianae, and S. a. caripana. Plots A and B consider the single measurements most representative of cranial and wing dimensions. Plots C and D consider all measurements by displaying specimen scores in the two axes of a Multiple Discriminant Analysis (MDA). In this MDA, the first axis accounts for 82.3% and the second axis for 17.7% of the variance. Crosses and vertical lines within gray boxes represent, respectively, means and medians. Gray box widths span the interval between the 25th and 75th percentiles, containing the middle 50% of the data points. Horizontal lines, or "whiskers", extend this interval to the 10th and 90th percentiles, containing 80% of the data points. At least nine data points are required to compute the 10th and 90th percentiles, hence no whiskers are plotted for S. a. caripana. Open circles represent potential outliers. Sample sizes indi...
FIGURE 4. Lophostoma carrikeri, adult female. QCAZ 13578. Location: Boanamo, Waorani Ethnic Reser... more FIGURE 4. Lophostoma carrikeri, adult female. QCAZ 13578. Location: Boanamo, Waorani Ethnic Reserve, Yasuni National Park. Photo courtesy of Diego Tirira.
FIGURE 3. Principal component analysis to test phenetic variation within Lophostoma carrikeri, L.... more FIGURE 3. Principal component analysis to test phenetic variation within Lophostoma carrikeri, L. kalkoae, and L. yasuni based in 18 external and craniodental measurements. PCA results presented are a combined representation of measurements and variables.
FIGURE 2. Principal component analysis for sex differences in Lophostoma carrikeri and L. yasuni ... more FIGURE 2. Principal component analysis for sex differences in Lophostoma carrikeri and L. yasuni based in 18 external and craniodental measurements. PCA results presented are a combined representation of measurements and variables.
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Papers by Santiago F Burneo