Status and distribution of Paraguayan Mammalia, Hystricomorpha 1. Erethizontidae and Chinchillidae

Abstract

Two species of Erethizontidae and one species of Chinchillidae have been recorded in Paraguay. To date no specialized studies have been performed on them and their distribution is poorly known. This study clarifies the available data on the distribution, habitat affinities and nomenclature of the Paraguayan members of these families, and provides a complete Paraguayan bibliography of the species. Coendou spinosus is associated with the Atlantic Forest ecoregion and forests influenced by it, exclusively in eastern Paraguay. Coendou longicaudatus shows a near parapatric distribution with it, replacing that species in the gallery forests of the Cerrado and Humid Chaco ecoregions. Lagostomus maximus is confined to a small area of Dry Chaco along the northern Pilcomayo River in Boquerón department. The distributions of the two species of Paraguayan porcupines with respect to each other requires more data, and citizen science projects can contribute to clarification of the issues.