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Cadmium and Lead content in Liver and Kidney tissues of Wild Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura (Linneo, 1758) from Chañaral, Atacama desert, Chile Contenido de Cadmio y Plomo en tejido de Hígado y Riñón en el Jote de Cabeza Colorada Cathartes aura (Linneo, 1758) de Chañaral, Desierto de Atacama, Chilemore
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Artículo de publicación ISIThe Variable Hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma) is a raptor species distributed from Arica to Tierra del Fuego in Chile. It consumes small vertebrates and invertebrates, particularly insects and arachnids. The... more
Artículo de publicación ISIThe Variable Hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma) is a raptor species distributed from Arica to Tierra del Fuego in Chile. It consumes small vertebrates and invertebrates, particularly insects and arachnids. The biological information of this species is scarce for northern Chile, particularly about their reproduction, diet, etc. We evaluated the diet of the Variable Hawk, by means of pellets collected between Vallenar to Copiapo, in Atacama region, a hyper-arid area. This information was compared with the available scientific literature in Chile and neighboring countries. Because of the environmental conditions of extreme aridity, we expect to find a low diversity of prey, characteristic of the raptors of arid ecosystems. In the case of the Variable Hawk populations from Atacama region, the most consumed species were reptilians (57,1%) corresponding to small lizards of the Liolaemus spp (30,4%), L. bisignatus (17%) and Callopiste maculatus (5,3%). Other prey corre...
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The Chilean mammal fauna is one of the best known of South America. In spite of this, in the last decade several new species have been described based on specimens collected in the country, while other species previously known elsewhere... more
The Chilean mammal fauna is one of the best known of South America. In spite of this, in the last decade several new species have been described based on specimens collected in the country, while other species previously known elsewhere have been recorded for the first time in Chile. Here we keep on this trend by recording for the first time for Chile a species of long-tailed mouse of the genus Oligoryzomys. This mention is based on genetic (cytochrome b gene sequences) and morphological data gathered from several specimens collected at four localities of Quebrada de Camarones, Región de Arica y Parinacota in northern Chile. At one of these localities a specimen was live-trapped; while in the other three localities several osteological remains were recovered from owl pellets. The morphologic and genetic information robustly indicate that the revised specimens belong to the genus Oligoryzomys. The phylogenetic analyses show that the trapped specimens belong to O. flavescens s. l...
FIGURE 7. (A) Eligmodontia dunaris MNHN 1547, paratype (Photo A. Spotorno). (B) Habitat at Playa Los Choros dunes, type locality (Photo C. Zuleta); intensive trapping at the plain belt (top, below sea border) failed to capture any... more
FIGURE 7. (A) Eligmodontia dunaris MNHN 1547, paratype (Photo A. Spotorno). (B) Habitat at Playa Los Choros dunes, type locality (Photo C. Zuleta); intensive trapping at the plain belt (top, below sea border) failed to capture any Eligmodontia. (C) Eligmodontia dunaris captured and released alive at Caldera, Atacama, showing bipedal posture (Photo E. Valenzuela by permission).
FIGURE 3. Correspondence of G-band patterns between diploid chromosomes from Eligmodontia sp. 2N = 50 (left pair within each trio, large numbers below, male LCM 3374 from Playa Los Choros) and a representative haploid set from... more
FIGURE 3. Correspondence of G-band patterns between diploid chromosomes from Eligmodontia sp. 2N = 50 (left pair within each trio, large numbers below, male LCM 3374 from Playa Los Choros) and a representative haploid set from Eligmodontia hirtipes 2N = 50 (right, small numbers below, from male LCM 1283).
FIGURE 4. Phylogenetic tree for 56 Eligmodontia sequences and two outgroups resulting from the maximum-likelihood analysis of 1140 bp of the cytochrome b gene. Model of sequence evolution was HKY+G+I. Numbers above branches show the... more
FIGURE 4. Phylogenetic tree for 56 Eligmodontia sequences and two outgroups resulting from the maximum-likelihood analysis of 1140 bp of the cytochrome b gene. Model of sequence evolution was HKY+G+I. Numbers above branches show the percentage values from 500 bootstrap iterations, and Bayesian posterior probabilities (>50 values).
FIGURE 6. Eligmodontia dunaris MNHN 1546 (holotype): dorsal (A), ventral (B) and lateral (C) views of skull. Occlusal view of upper (F) and lower molars (I) of paratype LCM 3377. Similar views of E. puerulus LCM 1993 (D and G) and E.... more
FIGURE 6. Eligmodontia dunaris MNHN 1546 (holotype): dorsal (A), ventral (B) and lateral (C) views of skull. Occlusal view of upper (F) and lower molars (I) of paratype LCM 3377. Similar views of E. puerulus LCM 1993 (D and G) and E. hirtipes LCM 1748 (E and H) are included for comparisons.
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FIGURE 1. Map of southern South America showing localities for previously (numbered) and presently studied Eligmodontia specimens (modified from Mares et al. 2008). Below species names are modal diploid chromosome numbers/FN. New... more
FIGURE 1. Map of southern South America showing localities for previously (numbered) and presently studied Eligmodontia specimens (modified from Mares et al. 2008). Below species names are modal diploid chromosome numbers/FN. New northcentral Chile Eligmodontia sites are marked with an X. Map of the infertile Atacama Desert in dark gray (from Latorre 2002).
FIGURE 5. Morphological multivariate relationships of Eligmodontia individuals from north-Central Chile and Argentina, and southern Peru. Projections of scores into Principal Component axes I and II were extracted from correlations of... more
FIGURE 5. Morphological multivariate relationships of Eligmodontia individuals from north-Central Chile and Argentina, and southern Peru. Projections of scores into Principal Component axes I and II were extracted from correlations of four body and eight skull measurements.
FIGURE 2. Chromosomes of Eligmodontia sp. ordered according size, 2N = 50 (male LCM 3374 from Playa Los Choros). From bone marrow spreads stained with standard Giemsa.
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Resumen ∙ El Aguilucho Comun ( Geranoaetus polyosoma ) es una especie de ave rapaz distribuida en Chile desde Arica a Tierra del Fuego. La dieta de esta especie en un ambiente arido extremo como el Desierto de Atacama, se caracteriza por... more
Resumen ∙ El Aguilucho Comun ( Geranoaetus polyosoma ) es una especie de ave rapaz distribuida en Chile desde Arica a Tierra del Fuego. La dieta de esta especie en un ambiente arido extremo como el Desierto de Atacama, se caracteriza por preferir lagartijas y secundariamente roedores. En este trabajo se comparo la dieta del Aguilucho Comun entre desierto absoluto y desierto florido. Un total de 785 egagropilas fueron colectadas durante la epoca de desierto absoluto de febrero del 2015 y en el evento de desierto florido de diciembre del 2015. El desierto florido genera un incremento de los recursos, lo que a su vez influencia a las comunidades biologicas, por lo tanto hipotetizamos que habria diferencias significativas en la abundancia y frecuencia de especies presa en la dieta del Aguilucho Comun, comparada entre ambas condiciones climaticas, lo que consecuentemente modificaria su nicho trofico. En ambas condiciones ambientales, las lagartijas fueron las especies presa mas consumida...
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SUMMARY The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is a nocturnal raptor species distributed from Arica to Tierra del Fuego in Chile. The diet of this bird is the best known of any raptor of Chile; it is based on small vertebrates, particularly rodents and... more
SUMMARY The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is a nocturnal raptor species distributed from Arica to Tierra del Fuego in Chile. The diet of this bird is the best known of any raptor of Chile; it is based on small vertebrates, particularly rodents and birds. We studied the diet of the Barn Owl, by analyzing of pellets collected in Copiapo valley, located in the hyper-arid Atacama Desert. This information was compared to available data from Chile and neighboring countries. Because of the environmental conditions of extreme aridity a low diversity of prey, typical of raptors from arid ecosystems, was expected. In the case of Tyto alba populations from the Atacama region, the most consumed species were rodents (76.7%), specially Eligmodontia dunaris (27.3%), Phyllotis darwini (24%) and Abrocoma bennetti (12.4%). Other preys corresponded to birds (17.8%) and coleopterans (3.3%). There was no significant correlation be tween frequency of prey and their body mass (r 2 = 0.229, p= 0.497) and between fr...
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The known diversity of the genus Liolaemus continues to increase, principally due to its great degree of endemism, the increasing number of researchers working on it, and advances in the taxonomic and phylogenetic knowledge of the genus.... more
The known diversity of the genus Liolaemus continues to increase, principally due to its great degree of endemism, the increasing number of researchers working on it, and advances in the taxonomic and phylogenetic knowledge of the genus. This diversity positions Liolaemus as the second most species-rich tetrapod genus. The present work adds to evidence for the great diversity of Liolaemus through the description of two new species, endemic to saline environments in the Argentinian Puna. Both species are members of the Liolaemus montanus group within the subgenus Eulaemus. To determine the taxonomic status of these lizards, we used integrative taxonomy as a tool, incorporating phylogenetic, morphological, and molecular genetic evidence, as well as the anatomy of hemipenes, statistical morphological analysis, and ecological characteristics. Our analyses supported the conclusion that both sampled populations of lizards are species new to science. One of these is found along the margins of the Antofalla salt flats in the Catamarca Province and the Hombre Muerto salt flats in the Salta Province. The other new species inhabits saline habitats vegetated by Lycium humile, principally between the salt crusts of the Antofalla salt flats. Both species are small to medium sized and can be distinguished from all other species of the L. montanus group by unique combinations of morphological characters, primarily pholidosis and dorsal and ventral colour patterns. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:29B39613-3298-4B43-A13A-9F950051BD04 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A97A5AA8-7295-4882-9809-CEFAD72E7202
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A small, new species of gerbil rodents of the genus Eligmodontia from the southwestern dunes of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile is described; the genus had not been reported for this western lowland region. Our description is based... more
A small, new species of gerbil rodents of the genus Eligmodontia from the southwestern dunes of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile is described; the genus had not been reported for this western lowland region. Our description is based on cytogenetic and molecular data, as well as cranial and external morphology. In order to support this hypothesis, we studied 27 specimens captured in Playa Los Choros (Coquimbo) and Copiapó (Atacama), comparing them with samples of all the extant species of the genus. Nineteen individuals consistently showed 2N=50, FN=48, with telocentric chromosomes and G-bands identical to those of the geographically northeastern E. hirtipes; these two groups were geographically separated by E. puerulus (2N=34, FN=48). The phylogenetic analysis of 56 Eligmodontia cytochrome-b gene sequences yielded a maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree where the new species formed a divergent and well-supported clade within the genus, which was also confirmed by unweighted parsimony, minimum evolution, and Bayesian analyses. The new species has K2P genetic distances of 12.8% from the geographically distant E. hirtipes, and 10.3% from E. puerulus. Axes 1 and 2 of Principal Component Analysis based on 12 body and skull measurements clearly separated the new species, the latter having a smaller head+body length (70.6±3.4 mm, n=17) and lower weight (11.9±1.9 g, n=20). We provide strong evidence to recognize a distinct new western lineage within Eligmodontia genus, Eligmodontia dunaris sp. nov., for which we give a complete taxonomic description and a hypothetical biogeographic scenario. The new species should be considered endangered, due to its level of endemism, its low population numbers (which can be occasionally increased after a blooming desert) and its fragile dry habitat patchily distributed near the Atacama Desert.
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Myotis atacamensis is a bat species with severely fragmented populations along the coast of Peru and Chile, recently considered as Endangered by the IUCN because of habitat fragmentation. Here we report for the first time records of the... more
Myotis atacamensis is a bat species with severely fragmented populations along the coast of Peru and Chile, recently considered as Endangered by the IUCN because of habitat fragmentation. Here we report for the first time records of the species via echolo-cation call analysis at localities above 3000 melevation, increasing the distribution of the species by more than 1000 min altitude.
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Over the last years there has been new and valuable information in both wild chinchillas, however this is still insuffi cient for effective protection. In this paper we review some fundamental aspects of its natural history, synthesizing... more
Over the last years there has been new and valuable information in both wild chinchillas, however this is still insuffi cient
for effective protection. In this paper we review some fundamental aspects of its natural history, synthesizing and delivering
new information about their ecology, taxonomy and conservation status, based on the review of available literature, and
fi eld data collection. In relation to their ecology we have been identifi ed new colonies of both species, for scientifi c research
as well as environmental technical reports. For most of these colonies we identifi ed vegetation to which they are associated,
predators and other sympatric rodent species. The taxonomy of these species is controversial. A proposal was submitted
to ICZN in 2003, and the recommendations were to describe a neotype for genus and species, but the original specimens
described by Bennett (1829), Lichtenstein (1830) and Waterhouse (1844) are in museums from Europe and should be
considered as syntypes. Conservation status of both species is critically endangered because most colonies are threatened
by mining exploitation. Therefore, it is essential to explore new regions to identify new colonies and compare them with
modern methods such as molecular markers. Finally, with this information we argue the need to develop a conservation
programs for both species; it should consider critical areas of their biology, such as ecology, genetics and reproduction.
for effective protection. In this paper we review some fundamental aspects of its natural history, synthesizing and delivering
new information about their ecology, taxonomy and conservation status, based on the review of available literature, and
fi eld data collection. In relation to their ecology we have been identifi ed new colonies of both species, for scientifi c research
as well as environmental technical reports. For most of these colonies we identifi ed vegetation to which they are associated,
predators and other sympatric rodent species. The taxonomy of these species is controversial. A proposal was submitted
to ICZN in 2003, and the recommendations were to describe a neotype for genus and species, but the original specimens
described by Bennett (1829), Lichtenstein (1830) and Waterhouse (1844) are in museums from Europe and should be
considered as syntypes. Conservation status of both species is critically endangered because most colonies are threatened
by mining exploitation. Therefore, it is essential to explore new regions to identify new colonies and compare them with
modern methods such as molecular markers. Finally, with this information we argue the need to develop a conservation
programs for both species; it should consider critical areas of their biology, such as ecology, genetics and reproduction.
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R E S U M E N. Se describe una nueva especie de lagarto para el norte de Chile, la que es asignada al grupo montanus del género Liolaemus. La nueva especie difiere de las especies del subgrupo boulengeri en que carece de un parche de... more
R E S U M E N. Se describe una nueva especie de lagarto para el norte de Chile, la que es asignada al grupo montanus del género Liolaemus. La nueva especie difiere de las especies del subgrupo boulengeri en que carece de un parche de escamas alargadas en la parte femoral de la extremidad posterior. Difiere de las demás especies del grupo montanus en su tamaño mediano, algunas escamas dorsales muy suavemente carenadas, casi lisas, redondeadas, suavemente imbrica-das. Presenta dimorfismo sexual, se encuentra sobre los 1000 m de altura y su hábitat corresponde a hiperdesierto o desierto interior. A B S T R A C T. We describe a new species of lizards from the north of Chile and are belonging to the montanus group of the Liolaemus genus. The new species differs from the bou-lengeri group in lacking a patch of enlarged scales on the posterior thigh. It differs from the remaining species of the montanus group by its moderate size, some dorsal scales with slight keels, smooth, and rounded dorsal body scale and mildly imbricate. It has a sexual dimorphims, it occurs over 1000 m of elevation and their habitat corresponds to the hiperdesert or interior desert.
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RESUMEN El aguilucho común (Geranoaetus polyosoma) es una especie de ave rapaz que se distribuye desde Arica a Tierra del Fuego en Chile. Se alimenta de pequeños vertebrados e invertebrados, particularmente insectos y arácnidos. No existe... more
RESUMEN El aguilucho común (Geranoaetus polyosoma) es una especie de ave rapaz que se distribuye desde Arica a Tierra del Fuego en Chile. Se alimenta de pequeños vertebrados e invertebrados, particularmente insectos y arácnidos. No existe sufi ciente información biológica de esta especie en el norte de Chile, desconociéndose su reproducción, dieta, etc. En este trabajo evaluamos la dieta del aguilucho común, por medio del análisis de egagrópilas colectadas entre las localidades de Vallenar y Copiapó, Región de Atacama, la que corresponde a una zona híperárida. Esta información fue comparada con la literatura científi ca existente en el resto del país y países limítrofes. Dada las condiciones ambientales de extrema aridez, esperamos encontrar una baja diversidad de presas, situación característica de las rapaces de ecosistemas áridos. En el caso particular de las poblaciones de aguilucho en la Región de Atacama el ítem presa más frecuente fue reptiles (57,1%) el que correspondió a lagartos pequeños del género Liolaemus spp (30,4%), junto con L. bisignatus (17%) y Callopiste maculatus (5,3%). Los ítems presa secundarios correspondieron a roedores (19,8%) y coleópteros del género Gyriosomus (18,9%). No hubo correlación positiva entre la frecuencia de presas y su masa corporal (r 2 =-0,267, p> 0,05) lo que indica que esta rapaz no selecciona a sus presas por tamaño. La biomasa de reptiles en la dieta (55,3%) fue levemente mayor a mamíferos (42,7%), pero quién más aportó fue Phyllotis darwini con un 27,6%. Tanto el Índice de Simpson (IS= 0,1833) como el Índice de Shannon (H´= 0,8463) indican que esta especie tiene una baja diversidad de presas, lo que está en concordancia con otras rapaces habitantes en ecosistemas áridos. ABSTRACT The Variable Hawk (Geranoaetus polyosoma) is a raptor species distributed from Arica to Tierra del Fuego in Chile. It consumes small vertebrates and invertebrates, particularly insects and arachnids. The biological information of this species is scarce for northern Chile, particularly about their reproduction, diet, etc. We evaluated the diet of the Variable Hawk, by means of pellets collected between Vallenar to Copiapó, in Atacama region, a hyper-arid area. This information was compared with the available scientifi c literature in Chile and neighboring countries. Because of the environmental conditions of extreme aridity, we expect to fi nd a low diversity of prey, characteristic of the raptors of arid ecosystems. In the case of the Variable Hawk populations from Atacama region, the most consumed species were reptilians (57,1%) corresponding to small lizards of the Liolaemus spp (30,4%), L. bisignatus (17%) and Callopiste maculatus (5,3%). Other prey corresponded to rodents (19.8%) and coleopterans of the genus Gyriosomus (18.9%). There was no positive correlation between frequency of prey and their body mass (r 2 =-0.267, p> 0.05) indicating that this raptor does not select their prey by body size. The biomass of reptiles in the diet (55.3%) was slightly higher than mammals (42.7%), but the largest individual contribution was given by Phyllotis darwini with 27.6%. Both the Simpson (SI = 0.1833) and the Shannon index (H '= 0.8463) indicate that this species consume a low diversity of prey, which is consistent with the others raptors that inhabit arid environments.
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Abrothrix jelskii (Thomas 1894) es una de las especies menos conocidas de su amplio género (Jayat et al. 2013). Su distribución ha sido registrada para los Andes del Sur de Perú (Smith & Patton 1991; Salazar-Bravo et al. 2003; Pacheco et... more
Abrothrix jelskii (Thomas 1894) es una de las especies
menos conocidas de su amplio género (Jayat et al. 2013). Su
distribución ha sido registrada para los Andes del Sur de Perú
(Smith & Patton 1991; Salazar-Bravo et al. 2003; Pacheco
et al. 2009), Bolivia (Tarifa & Yensen 2001; Martínez et al.
2009; Anderson 1997) y el Noroeste de Argentina (Galliari
et al. 1996; Teta et al. 2006; Díaz & Bárquez 2007; Ferro
2010; Jayat et al. 2013). Su posición biogeográfi ca hacía
suponer su presencia en Chile, pero hasta ahora no se había
registrado en este país.
En este trabajo damos cuenta del primer registro de esta
especie en Chile, con una colecta realizada el 03 de Mayo
del 2014, de un espécimen de A. jelskii en el sector de Las
Cuevas (18°10´04,46´´S; 69°25´48,94´´O), en la Región
de Arica y Parinacota, al extremo norte de Chile, en un
ambiente altiplánico a 4479 msnm (Figura 1a), hábitat que
se caracteriza por requeríos que bordean un bofedal (Figura
1b). Este nuevo hallazgo extiende el rango de distribución al
poniente en 152 kilómetros desde Lipez, Bolivia, siendo la
colecta más cercana al sector de Las Cuevas, en la Provincia
de Parinacota, Chile. Existe un registro fotográfi co previo
de Roberto Tancara Querquezana, Guardaparque de la
Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF) quién tomó la
fotografía en el Parque Nacional Lauca (17°57´51.41´´S,
68°36´43.59´´W), a 32 kilómetros al oriente de la localidad
de Las Cuevas.
menos conocidas de su amplio género (Jayat et al. 2013). Su
distribución ha sido registrada para los Andes del Sur de Perú
(Smith & Patton 1991; Salazar-Bravo et al. 2003; Pacheco
et al. 2009), Bolivia (Tarifa & Yensen 2001; Martínez et al.
2009; Anderson 1997) y el Noroeste de Argentina (Galliari
et al. 1996; Teta et al. 2006; Díaz & Bárquez 2007; Ferro
2010; Jayat et al. 2013). Su posición biogeográfi ca hacía
suponer su presencia en Chile, pero hasta ahora no se había
registrado en este país.
En este trabajo damos cuenta del primer registro de esta
especie en Chile, con una colecta realizada el 03 de Mayo
del 2014, de un espécimen de A. jelskii en el sector de Las
Cuevas (18°10´04,46´´S; 69°25´48,94´´O), en la Región
de Arica y Parinacota, al extremo norte de Chile, en un
ambiente altiplánico a 4479 msnm (Figura 1a), hábitat que
se caracteriza por requeríos que bordean un bofedal (Figura
1b). Este nuevo hallazgo extiende el rango de distribución al
poniente en 152 kilómetros desde Lipez, Bolivia, siendo la
colecta más cercana al sector de Las Cuevas, en la Provincia
de Parinacota, Chile. Existe un registro fotográfi co previo
de Roberto Tancara Querquezana, Guardaparque de la
Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF) quién tomó la
fotografía en el Parque Nacional Lauca (17°57´51.41´´S,
68°36´43.59´´W), a 32 kilómetros al oriente de la localidad
de Las Cuevas.
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... melanopleurus. ... Inicialmente fue descrita en el género Tropidurus (Wiegmann, 1835), siendo después adscrita a los géneros Proctotretus Duméril & Bibron, 1837, Ptychodeira Fitzinger, 1843, Rhytidodeira Girard, 1857, hasta que... more
... melanopleurus. ... Inicialmente fue descrita en el género Tropidurus (Wiegmann, 1835), siendo después adscrita a los géneros Proctotretus Duméril & Bibron, 1837, Ptychodeira Fitzinger, 1843, Rhytidodeira Girard, 1857, hasta que Boulenger (1885) lo asigna correctamente a ...
ABSTRACT Is present an annotated list of the terrestrial mammals species from the Atacama region, Chile. I analyse the distribution and conservation status based on field data, taxonomic collections, scientific, and technical reports from... more
ABSTRACT Is present an annotated list of the terrestrial mammals species from the Atacama region, Chile. I analyse the distribution and conservation status based on field data, taxonomic collections, scientific, and technical reports from public institutions of Atacama. We have confirmed the presence of 24 species of terrestrial mammals, of which the most representative order is Rodentia, with 12 species (50%), followed by Carnívora with 5 species (20,8%), Chiroptera with 3 (12,5%), Artiodactyla with 2 (8,35%), and Didelphimorphia with 2 (8,35%). However, there are 15 other species mentioned in Atacama but which there are not scientific evidence. The conservation status is not coincident among different methods and it does not necessarily reflect the local situation. To each species assigned to the Atacama region further information is required about local abundance, distribution, presence in the protected areas, ecoregional landscape, climatic and geomorphological characteristics, and vegetation formations. Areas with the highest species richness are the provinces of Huasco and Copiapó, in the transverse valleys and coastline. However, we recognize the lack of scientific exploration in much of the region, particularly the highlands of the Province of Chañaral, where other species could be found.
ABSTRACT In this note we report the first case of courtship, mating and birth of Liolaemus manueli in captivity. Specimens were captured near their Terra typica, as a product of human intervention in the area, and were deposited in a... more
ABSTRACT In this note we report the first case of courtship, mating and birth of Liolaemus manueli in captivity. Specimens were captured near their Terra typica, as a product of human intervention in the area, and were deposited in a terrarium for later release. However, in the following days we observed courtship behavior and copulation in a pair of individuals of this species. According to these observations we discuss the potential of an ex situ conservation program for this species, since their natural habitat is strongly threatened.
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Lack of dietary iodine is associated with thyroid insufficiency and its dire consequences including cretinism, yet territories severely deficient in iodine are home to many species of wild animals. The premise of our work is that an... more
Lack of dietary iodine is associated with thyroid insufficiency and its dire consequences including cretinism, yet territories severely deficient in iodine are home to many species of wild animals. The premise of our work is that an adaptation must be in place in order to allow these animals to thrive. We collected phyllotine rodents of the genus Auliscomys from the Altiplanic region of North Chile, an area historically associated with goitre and other manifestations of iodine deficiency disorders. The iodide concentration in the stream water in this locality, at <1 micro g l(-1) would undoubtedly result in widespread thyroidal insufficiency in humans and domestic livestock. The animals we collected, identified as Auliscomys boliviensis, showed no evidence of thyroidal insufficiency. There was no enlargement of the thyroid glands; the serum concentrations of thyroid hormone (measured as T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone were comparable to laboratory rats. Serum iodide concentra...