The pampas cat group (genus Lynchailurus Severtzov, 1858) (Carnivora: Felidae), a systematic and biogeographic review

GARCIA-PEREA, R. 1994. The pampas cat group (genus Lynchailurus Severtzov, 1858) (Carnivora: Felidae), a systematic and biogeographic review. American Museum Novitates 3096:1-36.

Abstract. A systematic study of 86 specimens of South American cats formerly known as Felis colocolo reveals three species, in addition to a new subspecies described herein. The three species are grouped in the genus Lynchailurus on the basis of shared character states. Lynchailurus pajeros occurs on high-elevation steppes from Ecuador to Bolivia and Argentina (eastern slope of the Andes), and farther south in Argentina into lowland steppe, shrubland, and dry forest habitats. Its southern limit is Patagonia (Argentinean and Chilean). Lynchailurus braccatus is found in Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, where it occupies humid and warmer grassland and forested areas, at moderate elevations. Lynchailurus colocolo occurs in subtropical forests at middle elevations in central Chile, and in high-elevation steppes in northern Chile on the western slope of the Andes. The latter species may be endangered, because its distribution is limited. Assigned subspecies are as follows: L. pajeros budini and L. p. crespoi, in northwestern Argentina; L. p. crucinus, in southern Argentina and Chile; L. p. garleppi, in Peru; L. p. pajeros, in central Argentina; L. p. steinbachi, in Bolivia; L. p. thomasi, from Ecuador; L. braccatus braccatus, in southwestern Brazil and Paraguay; L. b. munoai, in Uruguay and southern Brazil; L. colocolo colocolo, in central Chile; and L. c. wolffsohni (new subspecies), in northern Chile.