Perceptions of human-carnivore conflicts in the High Andes of Argentina

LUCHERINI, M.; MERINO, M.J. 2008. Perceptions of human-carnivore conflicts in the High Andes of Argentina. Mountain Research and Development 28(1):81-85. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/mrd.0903

Abstract. The Andean cat (Leopardus jacobitus), one of the world’s most threatened felids, forms part of the little known carnivore guild occurring in the dry areas of the High Andes. Although human–carnivore conflicts are among the major causes of carnivore population decline, no data are available on this issue for the High Andes. We report here the results of the first survey of human perceptions of, and attitudes towards, carnivores in the high-altitude Andes of Argentina. Interviews with 50 adults and 226 schoolchildren revealed that pumas (Puma concolor) and foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) are considered pests for preying upon livestock and are actively hunted by adults. Although perceptions of the Andean cat and the Pampas cat (Leopardus colocolo) were more positive, especially among schoolchildren, they are also frequently killed by local people. We suggest that, contrary to what was previously thought, hunting might be affecting the conservation status of the Andean cat and of some puma populations in the High Andes of Argentina, and that education strategies may help to improve human attitudes, particularly in the case of the endangered Andean cat.

Tafonomía de restos de micromamíferos recuperados del sitio arqueológico Agua de La Mula (Mendoza, Argentina) y su implicancia en la subsistencia humana

FERNÁNDEZ, F.J.; DE SANTIS, L.J.M. 2013. Tafonomía de restos de micromamíferos recuperados del sitio arqueológico Agua de La Mula (Mendoza, Argentina) y su implicancia en la subsistencia humana. Cuadernos del Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano - Series Especiales 1(1):181-195.

Abstract. Micromammal remains from the archaeological sequence of Agua de La Mula (35º22'24,9''S, 68º15'04,2''W, south-central Mendoza, Argentina) are taphonomically studied. The remains (NISP=1026, MNE=1,026, MNI=491) were recovered from the Late Holocene layers (1,600-1,000 years C14 BP). The micromammal assemblages are composed by 10 taxa of rodents, one chiropteran and two marsupials, associated to transitional mosaic of Patagonian steppe and Monte desert environments. The absence of cut marks and the presence of few burned remains recovered from the site would indicate no human consumption. Moreover, the presence of pellets preserved in stratigraphy and light digestive corrosion on some teeth, indicate that the main accumulator agents were probably avian strigiforms. The absence of weathering, rodent marks, hydraulic transport, root action, and diagenesis, suggest a good preservation and a rapid incorporation of the material in the stratigraphic context. However, trampling, sedimentary corrosion and manganese oxide evidences were seen on the micromammal remains, indicating some episodes of humidity inside the cave. Finally, this information provided here would help us to explain the scope of the resource intensification process, proposed for the region in previous researches. In this sense, possibly this process could not have been so pronounced for that hunter-gatherers exploit the micromammals.

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.

Primer registro de un ejemplar juvenil de Glyptodon sp. (Cingulata, Glyptodontidae) del Cuaternario de la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina

LUNA, C.A.; KRAPOVICKAS, J.M. 2011. Primer registro de un ejemplar juvenil de Glyptodon sp. (Cingulata, Glyptodontidae) del Cuaternario de la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina. Mastozoología Neotropical 18(1):135-141.

Abstract. First record of a juvenile specimen of Glyptodon sp. (Cingulata, Glyptodontidae) from the Quaternary of Córdoba province, Argentina. The first record of a juvenile specimen of Glyptodon sp. (Cingulata, Glyptodontidae) from the Quaternary of Córdoba province, Argentina, is reported. The material consists of 90 osteoderms of the dorsal carapace, 19 osteoderms of the caudal armor and some post-cranial bones. This specimen principally presents hexagon shape osteoderms, with high thickness/maximum diameter ratio, circular or subcircular central figure, elevated in relation with the peripheric surface, with central depression, large piliferous perforations, poorly defined or completely absent peripheric figures and with a concave internal surface.