Range extension of the Atlantic forest hocicudo, Oxymycterus dasytrichus (Schinz, 1821), to the state of Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil

Abstract

Six individuals of Oxymycterus dasytrichus (Schinz, 1821) were found on the coast of Paraná and Santa Catarina (in the Atlantic Forest), expanding the known geographical distribution of the species ca. 280 km southward. The specimens represent the first record of the species for the state of Santa Catarina, and new localities to the region of southern Paraná. The identification of the species relied mainly on interspecies comparative assessment of genetic distance based on DNA sequences data from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene and geographic distribution of taxa across biomes, particularly in the Atlantic Forest. Our findings highlight the role of protected areas, particularly the Guaraqueçaba Environmental Protection Area, to preserve small mammals.