Richness and distribution of New World marsupials (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) in the state of Piauí, Brazil
Creators: name: Costa, F. D. C.
name: Freire-Filho, R.
name: Damasceno, C.
name: Carmignotto, A. P.
name: Vilela, J. F.
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Evolutionary Biology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Ecology
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Marine Biology

description: Many gaps remain in understanding species evolution and distribution in Northeast Brazil, particularly in the Caatinga and Cerrado biomes. Our aims are to increase knowledge about the species of New World marsupials in the state of Piauí, identifying regions that are still poorly sampled, contributing to the delimitation of the geographic range of these species. We compiled online database data collection, scientific collection vouchers information and data from published articles. Twelve didelphid species were registred: <i>Caluromys philander</i>, <i>Cryptonanus agricolai</i>, <i>Didelphis albiventris</i>, <i>Didelphis marsupialis</i>, <i>Gracilinanus agilis</i>, <i>Marmosa murina</i>, <i>Marmosa demerarae</i>, <i>Marmosops</i> sp. <i>Metachirus myosuros</i>, <i>Monodelphis domestica</i>, <i>Philander opossum</i>, and <i>Thylamys karimii</i>. These represent about 18% of the Didelphidae occurring in Brazil. The survey revealed occurrences for 33 Piauí municipalities, representing only 12% of the state area. The extreme south and north of Piauí lack studies concerning marsupials, and parts of the centre-north and southeast are also poorly sampled. The results show an important geographic range increase for four species. Despite these results, Piauí is still an understudied region of the country. Valuable and immeasurable information may be lost due to degradation and loss of natural areas of Cerrado and Caatinga in the state. Piauí, being one of the economically poorest states in Brazil, experiences limited interest and support for research, resulting in a lack of knowledge about its mammalian diversity.Among the 224 municipalities in the state, only 33 present documented mammal records, revealing the presence of 12 marsupial species in Piauí.Notably, species such as <i>Didelphis albiventris, Gracilinanus agilis</i> and <i>Monodelphis domestica</i> have been extensively recorded in the state.The distribution ranges of four species have been extended: <i>Caluromys philander, Cryptonanus agricolai, Didelphis marsupialis</i> and <i>Thylamys karimii</i>.Seven out of the 12 species listed in this study have been recorded within conservation units. Piauí, being one of the economically poorest states in Brazil, experiences limited interest and support for research, resulting in a lack of knowledge about its mammalian diversity. Among the 224 municipalities in the state, only 33 present documented mammal records, revealing the presence of 12 marsupial species in Piauí. Notably, species such as <i>Didelphis albiventris, Gracilinanus agilis</i> and <i>Monodelphis domestica</i> have been extensively recorded in the state. The distribution ranges of four species have been extended: <i>Caluromys philander, Cryptonanus agricolai, Didelphis marsupialis</i> and <i>Thylamys karimii</i>. Seven out of the 12 species listed in this study have been recorded within conservation units.