Systematics and diversification of the Ichthyomyini (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) revisited: evidence from molecular, morphological, and combined approaches

PeerJ. 2023 Jan 13:11:e14319. doi: 10.7717/peerj.14319. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Ichthyomyini, a morphologically distinctive group of Neotropical cricetid rodents, lacks an integrative study of its systematics and biogeography. Since this tribe is a crucial element of the Sigmodontinae, the most speciose subfamily of the Cricetidae, we conducted a study that includes most of its recognized diversity (five genera and 19 species distributed from southern Mexico to northern Bolivia). For this report we analyzed a combined matrix composed of four molecular markers (RBP3, GHR, RAG1, Cytb) and 56 morphological traits, the latter including 15 external, 14 cranial, 19 dental, five soft-anatomical and three postcranial features. A variety of results were obtained, some of which are inconsistent with the currently accepted classification and understanding of the tribe. Ichthyomyini is retrieved as monophyletic, and it is divided into two main clades that are here recognized as subtribes: one to contain the genus Anotomys and the other composed by the remaining genera. Neusticomys (as currently recognized) was found to consist of two well supported clades, one of which corresponds to the original concept of Daptomys. Accordingly, we propose the resurrection of the latter as a valid genus to include several species from low to middle elevations and restrict Neusticomys to several highland forms. Numerous other revisions are necessary to reconcile the alpha taxonomy of ichthyomyines with our phylogenetic results, including placement of the Cajas Plateau water rat (formerly Chibchanomys orcesi) in the genus Neusticomys (sensu stricto), and the recognition of at least two new species (one in Neusticomys, one in Daptomys). Additional work is necessary to confirm other unanticipated results, such as the non-monophyletic nature of Rheomys and the presence of a possible new genus and species from Peru. Our results also suggest that ichthyomyines are one of the main Andean radiations of sigmodontine cricetids, with an evolutionary history dating to the Late Miocene and subsequent cladogenesis during the Pleistocene.

Keywords: Amazon; Andean; Chibchanomys orcesi; Daptomys; Ichthyomyini; Neotropics; Sigmodontalia; Subtribes; Water rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arvicolinae*
  • Biological Evolution
  • Peru
  • Phylogeny
  • Sigmodontinae*

Grants and funding

Fieldwork in Bolivia was funded by the National Science Foundation (BSR 89-20617, BSR 90-15454, and INT-9417252). Lab work at Texas Tech University (Jorge Salazar Bravo) was funded by the American Philosophical Society, the Systematics Research Fund of the Systematics Association, and TTU Faculty Research Awards. Study travels of Ulyses FJ Pardiñas to Quito were funded by Fundación Ecominga and by Javier Robayo. The work of Jorge Brito scanning specimens in Germany was financed by GIZ international cooperation agency through the ‘Germany–Brazil–Ecuador’ Trilateral Cooperation Program. This contribution was made under the economic support and laboratory equipment provided by grants Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica 2014-1039 and 2020-2068 (to UFJP). There was no additional external funding received for this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.