Galliformes and other animals for South America (продолжение)

Форум » Foreign section » Galliformes and other animals for South America (продолжение) » Ответить

Galliformes and other animals for South America (продолжение)

JOrnitho: Hello! I'm back with ideas for some new species for South America. I found in my computer an archive with some ideas for fauna and flora that I had some time ago and decided to show there to ask your opinion about them. The first is about a descendant of the domestic chicken. [more]Copper jacumitan (Jacumita cuprinus) During the Holocene, the man introduced many species in other continents. The jacumitan is a descendant of domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) that are introduced in South America. It replaced the birds in the family Cracidae, which are extinct in the Neocene, in some areas. In a matter of fact, the name jacumitan is the junction of the words jacu, the popular name in Brazil for guans of the Genus Penelope, and the tupi word mitã (mitan) that means new, this way the name means “new guan”. The copper jacumitan is the type species of this genus and lives in the savannas and woodlands of Central South America. The copper jacumitan is sexually dysmorphic. The male measure 190 cm, due to the long tail, it has a bright coppery brown upperbody plumage and reddish-brown feathers below. They also have metallic dark green feathers on the tail and wings. Only males have a bright red naked skin on the face, with two wattles that conceal the sides of its head. This characteristic is shared by all males of the genus Jacumita. The males of the genus also have crests formed by white feathers with black tips. During courtship and panic moments, they rise the crests. The females have 75 cm of length and are cryptic brown and adapted to camouflage, its naked skin on the face is pale pink and don’t have flesh wattles. The young males are similar to the females until they reach 9 weeks, at this time the wattle begin to develop. Both sexes have long orange colored legs and grey beak. The males have spurs that they use in fights for dominance. The neck is long and slim. Copper jacumitans can fly, but prefer to run from the predators flying only as last resort. These birds are omnivorous and feed on insects, seeds, and fruits. Its forage for food by scratching the ground, usually near herbivores this way there is other animals observing for the presence of predators. Often the male sits on a high perch, to serve as a lookout for his group. He sounds an alarm call if predators are nearby. At night it will sleep perched on branches. Copper jacumitans are polygamous; the male will have a harem with 5 to 12 females and will guards the area where his females are nesting, and attack other males that enter his territory. To initiate courting, the males will dance in a circle around or near a female, raising their crests and lowering the wing which is closest to the hen. Then, he will vocalize and when she responds to his call, the male will mount her and proceed with the mating. The females make their nest in the ground, laying 6 to 14 red eggs which are incubated for 22 days. Chicks are precocious, leaving the nest shortly they are born. They fledge in about 4 to 5 weeks, and at 13 weeks old are chased out of the group by their mother, at which point the young males start to form a harem and the females join an existing one. Sexual maturity is reached at 6 months and the lifespan of this species is of 13 years, however is common for males to die early due to predation. Other species in the genus Jacumita are: Golden jacumitan (Jacumita aurea) Living in the forests of the Atlantic coast of South America, the males of this species has 200 cm of length, from beak to tail, while the females have 83 cm. The plumage of the male have a bright golden-yellow plumage in the upperparts, being scarlet in the chest and belly. They have dark metallic green wing feathers and tail while the female is cryptic brown. Red jacumitan (Jacumita amazonica) Living in the "terra firme" forests of the Amazon , the males of this species has 185 cm of length, from beak to tail, while females have 70 cm. The plumage of male is bright orange-red in the upperparts, while their chest and belly is yellow. The males also have dark metallic blue wing feathers and tail while the female is cryptic brown. Andean jacumitan (Jacumita andina) Living in the highland forests in the slopes of the Andes, the males of this species has 170 cm of length, from beak to tail, while females have 68 cm. The plumage of the males is white in the upperparts and yellowish-red in the belly and chest. The males also have dark metallic blue wing feathers and tail while the female is cryptic brown. This other one is about a descendant of the californian quail: Common austral grouse (Tetraoinus australis) During the Holocene, the man introduced many exotic species different habitats, the ancestor of the austral grouse was one of these species. Their ancestor was not a true grouse, but the Californian quail, due to evolutionary convergence they acquired characteristics similar to the true grouses of North America. Living in the forests of Southern South America, the male austral grouse are 55 cm long and the female have 44 cm of length. The male have a dark grey body plumage, black-and-white bridled head pattern, black back and a greyish-blue belly. They have a curving crest or plume, made of six feathers that droops forward (long and black in males /short and brown in females) and long forked blackish tail with white undertail coverts. Females and immature birds are mainly greyish-brown with a light-brown belly. Both sexes have a black bill and relatively long grey legs. Their diet consists mainly of seeds and leaves, but they also eat some berries and insects. In some regions their main source of food are the seeds of trees of the Genus Araucaria. These birds are not elegant fliers, however they sleep perched in branches. Given a choice, they will normally escape on foot. During the courtship, the male austral grouse do displays on a lek, each male have a “personal space”. The males strut around their chose space, doing a display. The display consists of the male posturing himself with the head near the ground. Then, they start to move it from right to left showing their crests, simultaneously they raising the tail feathers, showing their withe undertail coverts. After that, they will raise their heads abruptly and whilst make a highly distinctive mating call. When another male invade the personal space of other, a fight happens, in this case the male will try to take of the crest of the rival, this way they will not be capable to display for the females. The female usually lays approximately 12 spotted eggs. The nest is a shallow scrape lined with vegetation on the ground. Incubation lasts from 21–25 days, usually performed by the female and rarely by the male. The chicks are precocial, leaving the nest with their parents within hours of hatching. The male stay with the female until the young leave, with 3 months. The young reach sexual maturity with 1 year, with this age the young males acquire the coloration of an adult male. Their lifespan is of 27 years. In the forests of Tierra del Fuego another species lives, the Black boreal grouse (Tetraoinus nigrus). Their main difference to the other species is that the males have an all-black plumage, with only a faint shade of blue in the chest and brown undertail coverts. The females are similar to that of the common austral grouse. The males have 52 cm and the females 41 cm.[/more] I also have in this archive some names for possible species that I never developed bayond some few facts. Maybe someone could help me make their descriptions.

Ответов - 154, стр: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 All

wovoka: JOrnitho, I describe the Mureru (waterlily) for the chapter about Catatumbo river. https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-2-1691696963283-00000028-000-10001-0#024 Description as always in Russian. Check please is everything matches your descriptions of the creatures written for this chapter, especially the description of Cyculi.

JOrnitho: wovoka пишет: Ornitho, I describe the Mureru (waterlily) for the chapter about Catatumbo river. https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-2-1691696963283-00000028-000-10001-0#024 Description as always in Russian. Check please is everything matches your descriptions of the creatures written for this chapter, especially the description of Cyculi. Good description! It matches what we had discussed before.

JOrnitho: wovoka пишет: We were talking about: 1. the biggest Andean bear-like mongoose (hunts giant boas, very long poisonous snakes, huge tegus, although it can even sometimes hunt young and very old deers). 2. Hyena-like mongoose in some South American desert, eat can be saber-toothed eating armadillo and also big snakes and tegus. 3. Karumboi (in tapiete - he eats snake) mongoose from Marvelous Forest. He would be not like real mongoose, he would be like Galidia elegans (also red, but not only with a striped tail, but with a completely striped body, only with ginger head). 4. Mouse-sized mongooses from Marvelous forest: one smaller ticks and small spiders eating and one bigger eating little scorpions, centipedes and poison dart frogs. Names: A. Sanguya-aguara; B. Urare-aguara (Sanguya-aguara - (in tupi "sanguya" (correctly writing sanguja, but spelling Sanguya, in tapiete just anguya) means any myomorphs, aguara - means racoon) - so the name will translate mouse-racoon - this will be name of smaller mongoose; Urare-aguara - (in tupi "urare" means animal from the family Echimyidae) - this will be name of bigger mongoose) 5. Kuatirana-aguara (kuatirana - squirell in guarani, aguara - racoon in tupi) in Marvelous forest - Squirrel honey&nectar-eating mongoose. (His relative lemur-mongoose (mongoose looking like lemur, with lemur way of life and diet: absolutely herbivorous, eating fruits, berries, leaves, edible roots, may be nuts and mushrooms. I'll describe him for the chapter about jaguape). Do you mind also describing the 1 and 2? I think that you would have a better idea to where settle them. I'll remove the golden mongoose that I described and make a description for the Karumboi. The two would compete for the same resources, so one needs to go. Also we can settle somewhere: 1. weasel like mongoose, eating birds and their eggs on trees;0000 2. mongoose like Liberiictis kuhni with long nose eating earthworms; 3. mongoose with pig nose like Arctonyx collaris eating leeches, poisonous frogs and so on; 4. mongoose like kusimanse - although eating not termites but Bumble Bees and social earth wasps like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agelaia_pallipes The first one could be larger, being a predator of monkeys.

wovoka: JOrnitho пишет: The first one could be larger, being a predator of monkeys. It can be two species: bigger - monkey hunting, lesser - birds and squirrel hunting. But what will be with Ipochereu? JOrnitho пишет: I think that you would have a better idea to where settle them. Well Euphractus sexcinctus - like big armored boar I wanted to settle to Brejos de Altitude, there I also wanted to settle the biggest boa from Epicrates assisi and the biggest venomous snake of neocene from Lachesis muta and very big tegu. There we can settle bear like mongoose who will hunt them all. Jackal sized saber-toothed opossum hunting armadillos and also snakes and tegus we can settle in Cerrado. Hyena like mongoose who will hunt snakes and will be scavenger we can settle in Argentinian deserts: Patagonian desert and Monte Desert.

JOrnitho: wovoka пишет: It can be two species: bigger - monkey hunting, lesser - birds and squirrel hunting. But what will be with Ipochereu? This is why I think that the mongoose should remain in the ground, while opossums should dominate the trees. Well Euphractus sexcinctus - like big armored boar I wanted to settle to Brejos de Altitude, there I also wanted to settle the biggest boa from Epicrates assisi and the biggest venomous snake of neocene from Lachesis muta and very big tegu. There we can settle bear like mongoose who will hunt them all. Jackal sized saber-toothed opossum hunting armadillos and also snakes and tegus we can settle in Cerrado. Hyena like mongoose who will hunt snakes and will be scavenger we can settle in Argentinian deserts: Patagonian desert and Monte Desert. Now I remember these ideas. I'll work on these descriptions, but this month I'll be busy so they'll take some time to be finished.

wovoka: I also will be busy this month. JOrnitho пишет: This is why I think that the mongoose should remain in the ground, while opossums should dominate the trees. But I like the idea if monkey eating mongoose, we could use such animal in the chapter aboue South Panama about brotherhood of monkeys. May be he will live ii will live only in forests of South Panama and Columbia?

wovoka: JOrnitho, may I ask you to describe, when yo have some time, also a lemur-mongoose for the chapter about jaguape in Amazonian region (it'll be mongoose looking like lemur, with lemur way of life and diet: absolutely herbivorous, eating fruits, berries, leaves, edible roots, may be nuts and mushrooms, it will predominantly lead an arboreal lifestyle. Taking into account that Urva javanica that was untroduced to Caribbean islands is omnivorous, so its descender can become herbivourus. It will be like in the same time the opposite and the analogue of Madagascar Eulemur mongoz - mongoose lemur. It will be with a fluffy tail that helps it maintain balance while moving through trees. It could also be capable of jumping between branches. He will look absolutely the same as his Madagascar analogue The same color, the same shape of body. His length will be 31 to 45 cm, tail length is 45 to 65 cm. Males bigger and darker. The main enemy Ipochereu. We will give him name in urarina language etoe-unee (etoe - Aotus nigriceps, ʉnee - Bassaricyon alleni).

JOrnitho: wovoka пишет: But I like the idea if monkey eating mongoose, we could use such animal in the chapter aboue South Panama about brotherhood of monkeys. May be he will live ii will live only in forests of South Panama and Columbia? Good idea. It could have some characteristics of the fossa and of ocelot/margay. пишет: JOrnitho, may I ask you to describe, when yo have some time, also a lemur-mongoose for the chapter about jaguape in Amazonian region (it'll be mongoose looking like lemur, with lemur way of life and diet: absolutely herbivorous, eating fruits, berries, leaves, edible roots, may be nuts and mushrooms, it will predominantly lead an arboreal lifestyle. Taking into account that Urva javanica that was untroduced to Caribbean islands is omnivorous, so its descender can become herbivourus. It will be like in the same time the opposite and the analogue of Madagascar Eulemur mongoz - mongoose lemur. It will be with a fluffy tail that helps it maintain balance while moving through trees. It could also be capable of jumping between branches. He will look absolutely the same as his Madagascar analogue The same color, the same shape of body. His length will be 31 to 45 cm, tail length is 45 to 65 cm. Males bigger and darker. The main enemy Ipochereu. We will give him name in urarina language etoe-unee (etoe - Aotus nigriceps, ʉnee - Bassaricyon alleni). Ok, but I think that it hands and feet would be more like those of a procyonid, being a bit primate-like.

wovoka: JOrnitho пишет: Good idea. It could have some characteristics of the fossa and of ocelot/margay. Yes! I agree! JOrnitho пишет: Ok, but I think that it hands and feet would be more like those of a procyonid, being a bit primate-like. Yes! I also agree!

wovoka: JOrnitho пишет: Good description! It matches what we had discussed before. There is the fruit turned out to be 10 cm in diameter. Can our bird gardener swallow it?

JOrnitho: wovoka пишет: There is the fruit turned out to be 10 cm in diameter. Can our bird gardener swall Hmm, now I'm not sure. It have 30 to 35 cm of length. Do you think that they can swallow it?

wovoka: Well, firstly, we can make the bird larger, by 10-30 centimeters. Secondly, the same heron with its thin neck can even swallow a small turtle. We can also make it so that our bird can expand its throat, esophagus and stomach so that it can swallow such large fruits.

JOrnitho: wovoka пишет: Well, firstly, we can make the bird larger, by 10-30 centimeters. Secondly, the same heron with its thin neck can even swallow a small turtle. We can also make it so that our bird can expand its throat, esophagus and stomach so that it can swallow such large fruits. Agreed. I'll make the edits in the description later.

JOrnitho: FInished more two mongooses: Karumboi (Karumboi serpentophagus) Order:Carnivora Family:Hespertidae Habitat:Lowland and montane forests of the Atlantic coast of South America. During the entire Holocene, the introduction of animals by humans in habitats that weren’t their own was a common practice. The small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata) was introduced by the humans in the Caribbean island of Trinidad and in Surinam, French Guiana and Guyana in South America. This species proved to be well adapted for these areas and thrived. During the Neocene, the South American population had not only spread through the tropical areas of the continent, but had also generated a new subfamily, the Austrohespertinae, the South American mongooses. In the Atlantic forest of South America, the karumboi appeared. In the Tapiete language, its name means “he eats snakes”. This name is very meaningful, since its diet is composed mostly of venomous serpents. Like many mongooses, the karumboi had developed resistance to their venom. The karumboi is a large mongoose, with 55 cm of body length and a tail with 45 cm of length. Its body is long and slender, and the rounded head has a pointed snout. The upperparts of the body are a dark red color, while the belly is light buff. It's covered in black strips. Their long tail is also dark red, black rings. This species is a predator of serpents. They primarily achieve this through tiring the snake out, by enticing it to make multiple strikes which it acrobatically avoids. Secondary protection against the venomous bite includes the stiff rigid hair, which is excited at such times, the thick loose skin and specialized acetylcholine receptors render it resistant or immune to venom. Besides it, mongooses will also eat insects including dragonflies, grasshoppers, mole crickets, ground beetles, earwigs and ants. It also preys on spiders, scorpions, amphibs, birds, rats and small marsupials. Non venomous snakes are also eaten, but they avoid large species. They are solitary animals, only being seen in pairs during the mating season, which starts in rainy periods. The gestation period lasts for 60 to 65 days, the female gives birth to two to four offspring. They remain with their mother until reaching seven months, during this period they learn how to find food and to hunt venomous serpents. Sexual maturity is reached within ten months and they have a lifespan of 12 years. Etoeunee, or lemur mongoose (Mongoz lemur) Order:Carnivora Family:Hespertidae Habitat:Amazon rainforest, both flooded and terra firme forests. During the entire Holocene, the introduction of animals by humans in habitats that weren’t their own was a common practice. The small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata) was introduced by the humans in the Caribbean island of Trinidad and in Surinam, French Guiana and Guyana in South America. This species proved to be well adapted for these areas and thrived. During the Neocene, the South American population had not only spread through the tropical areas of the continent, but had also generated a new subfamily, the Austrohespertinae, the South American mongooses. In the canopy of the Amazon rainforest, the etoeunee appeared. Its name is formed by two words of the Urarina language, etoe - Aotus nigriceps, unee - Bassaricyon alleni. The etoeunee ranges in size from 41 to 64 cm long plus a tail of 52 to 75 cm. They have a round head, large eyes, a short, pointed snout, short limbs and a slender body. Their forelimbs are modified, with dexterous fingers that allow them to better grasp the tree branches and that give remarkable manipulatory abilities rival those of primates. Their fluffy tail helps it maintain balance while moving through trees. It is also capable of jumping between branches. They can rotate its ankles and feet 180°, making it easy for the animal to run backward over tree limbs and climb down trees headfirst. They are sexually dimorphic, with the males back, tail paws being black; nape and crown dark brown, muzzle and ears are red, the nose, chest and belly are white. The females's back is light brown; the tail, nose, muzzle, crown, ears, paws, shoulders, front legs are black; cheeks, chest, belly are wight. The males are also larger than the females. This species is diurnal and spends the day foraging. They are herbivorous, eating fruits, berries, leaves, edible roots, may be nuts and mushrooms. Occasionally they eat sweet Hemiptera.. Etoeunee will visit mineral licks to consume clay, supplementing their diet with nutrients and minerals. Etoeunee are monogamous animals, living in pairs for the rest of their lives. They breed throughout the year, giving birth to a litter of two to five small babies after a gestation of 16 weeks. The female gives birth to them inside a rock crevice or a hollowed tree. They are hairless at first, and open their eyes after about a week. The parents take care of them for up to one year, occasionally also longer. They start foraging on their own at the age of four months, but compete for food brought back to them after that age. Etoeunee have a lifespan of 18 years.

лягушка: JOrnitho Interesting moongooses!

медведь: Interesting animals!

wovoka: JOrnitho пишет: Karumboi (Karumboi serpentophagus) Good mongoose, but you remember we wanted to make him like Galidia elegans (also red, only with ginger head, but not only with a striped tail, but and in contrast to Galidia elegans with a completely striped body (with black stripes). JOrnitho пишет: Etoeunee, or lemur mongoose (Mongoz lemur) Order:Carnivora Family:Hespertidae Habitat:Lowland and montane forests of the Atlantic coast of South America, tree canopy. Jornitho, sorry, but you make a mistake. Etoeunee, or lemur mongoose (Mongoz lemur) we wanted to settle to Amazonia region, we specially making him for the chapter about the black jaguape. JOrnitho пишет: However, they’ll occasionally feed on invertebrates, eggs and chicks. And I wanted to make him mongoose looking like lemur, with lemur way of life and diet: absolutely herbivorous, eating fruits, berries, leaves, edible roots, may be nuts and mushrooms. And no invertebrates, eggs and chicks. Invertebrates may be only sweet Hemiptera. It must predominantly lead an arboreal lifestyle. It will be like in the same time the opposite and the analogue of Madagascar Eulemur mongoz - mongoose lemur. It will be with a fluffy tail that helps it maintain balance while moving through trees. It could also be capable of jumping between branches. I wanted him look absolutely the same as his Madagascar analogue Both sexes are born with white beards, but become obviously dimorphic around six weeks of age when the males develop red beards and red cheeks. When want to describe this mongoose I wanted make them such color: the males back, tail paws are black; nape and crown dark brown, muzzle and ears are red, the nose, chest and belly are white, the females back - light brown; the tail, nose, muzzle, crown, ears, paws, shoulders, front legs are black; cheeks, chest, belly are wight. The main enemy Ipochereu. please make this additions to the both descriptions! And the relative species to lemur mongoose - Kuatirana-aguara (kuatirana - squirell in guarani, aguara - racoon in tupi) or squirell mongoose (Squirrel honey&nectar-eating mongoose), we decided to settle it in your Marvelous forest.

JOrnitho: wovoka пишет: please make this additions to the both descriptions! Ok. I'll make these changes.

wovoka: JOrnitho пишет: Ok. I'll make these changes. JOrnitho, thank you very much! Excuse me, if I'm making too much adviсes! I want to tell you, that you are making very good and professional descriptions! P.S. I have written a draft of a chapter about south of Appalachian mountains where I used three your birds https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-6-1692190737941-00000300-000-10001-0#004 https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-6-1692189237620-00000300-000-10001-0#005 https://sivatherium.borda.ru/?1-6-1692189237630-00000300-000-10001-0#006 Sorry, but the text in Russian again.

JOrnitho: Hi! Finally got some free time and I'll be around more times. I read articles about invasive fish species in South America and had some ideas: Arapaima sp.: This one became a pest in several rivers, alteady being found in the São Francisco river and several others in the interior of São Paulo state both in Brazil. I thought that these populations could evolve into new species that are different from the ancestor. Maybe even being smaller. Pangasianodon hypophtalmus: it's found in rivers of Northeastern Brazil. Possibly fled from farms. Tilapia: also found in several rivers, including in the sea of the Brazilian coast. Maybe a oceanic genus could be endemic to South America's coast. Any specialist in fishes that could help me organize these ideas?

медведь: Interesting ideas! Maybe some of them would evolve into giant forms!

Автор: JOrnitho пишет: Any specialist in fishes that could help me organize these ideas? Maybe, I'm not so good specialist, but I'm skeptical about Arapaima. It is too slowly-growing fish to establish a viable population as an invasive species. Pangasianodon hypophtalmus - it may produce any large pelagic predatory species. In its natural habitat it may become extinct sooner or later - its status is "endangered". Here it is a link about aquaculture of this one: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256544627_Striped_Catfish_Pangasianodon_hypophthalmus_Sauvage_1878_Aquaculture_in_Bangladesh_An_Overview Tilapia? Hmmm, in South America, there are numerous Cichlasoma (sensu lato) and Geophagus (sensu lato) species, that are close to Tilapia in their characteristics. So, the possible success of Tilapia seems to be not so great there. Cichlasoma tetracanthum is known to be able to migrate to salt water, so it is predictable to meet its descendants in water bodies of Central America. Some species of these cichlids are added to "Bestiary" a long time ago: https://sivatherium.narod.ru/enfish.htm#cryptocichla_planicephala_en Oops, that's all. So, you're free to describe some other cichlid fishes. For islands of Caribbean region, the basis of ichthyofauna is thought to be composed of cichlid and live-bearer fishes with the addition of some fishes migrating from sea water (ariid catfishes, for example).

лягушка: JOrnitho Arapaima sp: honestly, I don't think this fish would surviv, because: 1) It's huge and slow-reproducing, so it wouldn't be good at surviving serions climatic changes. 2) It's niche is already occupied by large characiniforms. Pangasianodon hypophtalmus:I think it can survive, although it's pretty large, beacuce it's omnivore generalist. I don't think it would give large radiation becuse Brasil's rivers already have diverse amount of catfishes, but it's descendants can keep their niche. Tilapia: same as siamese shark catfish. It,s quite adaptive fish that has naturalised in many habitats around the world, but cichlid's niches is already occupied by Geophagus and relatives, so it wouldn't irradiate. Sea cichlids can emerge in Neocene - as I remember, some cichlasomas are already euryhaline, but they live in Mexico, not in Brazil. So, you need to insert it into ecosystem driven by livebearer fishes somehow.

JOrnitho: Автор пишет: I'm skeptical about Arapaima. It is too slowly-growing fish to establish a viable population as an invasive species. лягушка пишет: Arapaima sp: honestly, I don't think this fish would surviv, because: 1) It's huge and slow-reproducing, so it wouldn't be good at surviving serions climatic changes. 2) It's niche is already occupied by large characiniforms. I see. They are still a matter of concern in some Brazilian rivers, especially the São Francisco, because their presence extirpate local species. Автор пишет: Pangasianodon hypophtalmus - it may produce any large pelagic predatory species. In its natural habitat it may become extinct sooner or later - its status is "endangered". лягушка пишет: Pangasianodon hypophtalmus:I think it can survive, although it's pretty large, beacuce it's omnivore generalist. I don't think it would give large radiation becuse Brasil's rivers already have diverse amount of catfishes, but it's descendants can keep their niche. I believe that it would be endemic to the rivers of Northeastern Brazil, the ones crossing the Caatinga biome. Most of the large catfishes living in that region were extirpated and rivers lost several natural species. I'm searching more invasive species and I found out that the Betta sp. is also present in some areas. Would it be able to survive in marshlands?

JOrnitho: Another invasive species that maybe could survive is the Peacock bass. It had been introduced in South, Southeastern and Northeastern Brazil. Rivers in these areas are mostly depleted of original fishes. Do you think that their survival is plausible?

медведь: How ecologically flexible is it?

Автор: JOrnitho пишет: the Peacock bass A species of Cichla genus? I think, large fish species have lesser chances of survival compared to medium-sized related species. I'd prefer to wait for the success of any medium-sized Cichlasoma or Acara. It is rather easy for them to grow to 1 meter length.

JOrnitho: Автор пишет: I'd prefer to wait for the success of any medium-sized Cichlasoma or Acara. It is rather easy for them to grow to 1 meter length Then I think that the pearl cichlid (Geophagus brasiliensis) could be the ancestor of most cichlids living in Southeastern South America. It’s common and small, besides being able to live in brackish lagoons. Maybe it could suit as the ancestor of my idea for the Tilapia in the sea. It was introduced in Australia, the Philippines, and Taiwan, was a descendant of it already described for these areas?

лягушка: JOrnitho I believe that it would be endemic to the rivers of Northeastern Brazil, the ones crossing the Caatinga biome. Most of the large catfishes living in that region were extirpated and rivers lost several natural species. As I found, wild pangasiodon hypophtalmus was found near Columbian border, not in caatinga region. Geophagus brasiliensis Honestly, I don't think that it would become ancestor of the most cichlid species as there are many other cichlids there. However, I think it definitly would leave descendants, including euryhaline of even marine ones. But what lifestyle have you suggested for them? I think it would live in estuaries, and have a listyle that is typical for cichlids. Maybe we can do someshyng interesting with reproduction? was a descendant of it already described for these areas? No, they weren't. So, you can do this!

JOrnitho: лягушка пишет: Honestly, I don't think that it would become ancestor of the most cichlid species as there are many other cichlids there. However, I think it definitly would leave descendants, including euryhaline of even marine ones. But what lifestyle have you suggested for them? I think it would live in estuaries, and have a listyle that is typical for cichlids. Maybe we can do someshyng interesting with reproduction? Yes, I was thinking that they could have some species living in estuaries. Another idea was for some inhabiting costal lagoons. After the end of the last galciation, several costal lagoons were formed in the restingas of the Brazilian coast, some being isolated between each other. I believe that new lagoons could appear during the Neocene. I thought that these cichlids could especialize in these areas to some degree, perhaps similar to the cichlids of the African lakes, but in a small scale. What are your ideas about their reproduction?

JOrnitho: I had been writing the description of the cichlids that I mentioned, but I have yet to decide their habitats. I thought that they could live in the costal lagoons of the restingas of South America, but I think that new lagoons could appear in the Neocene. Can I create new lagoons and write about new restingas for the Neocene based in the studies about their formation in the Holocene? They would be habitats for new species.

медведь: Welcome again! Can I create new lagoons and write about new restingas for the Neocene based in the studies about their formation in the Holocene? They would be habitats for new species. An interesting idea! Can't wait for details!

JOrnitho: Below is what I did for the restingas so far. The next is to write about flora and fauna. The Atlantic Coast restingas is an ecoregion of the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests biome, and the South American Atlantic Forest biome. During the late Neocene, this ecoregion suffered greatly with human interference, especially for being mostly located in the heavily populated areas of Brazilian coast. The disappearance of humans gave the restingas a respite from anthropogenic interference, but the climatic and tectonic changes had affected this ecoregion. The global warming caused by human actions resulted in the retraction of this habitat due to sea level rising and flooding of coastal plains. The Ice Age in the boundary of the Holocene with Neocene resulted in the lowering of the sea, leaving the coastal plains once again exposed. With time, new restingas appeared in these areas. In the Neocene, the neo-restinga ecoregion expands across the Atlantic coastal areas that once were South, Southeastern and Northeastern Brazil. These habitats are characterized by different types of vegetation. They are: -Open herbaceous -Herbaceous marsh -Herbaceous sandy ridge -Non-floodable closed shrubland -Non-floodable open shrubland -Floodable closed shrubland -Floodable open shrubland -Non-floodable forest -Mangrove These vegetation types were present in the Holocene restingas, but now they are composed by completely new species. Such examples are the large well-bromeliad, species of this plant can reach 150 cm of radius and are endemic to open herbaceous areas of the restingas. The water accumulated in these plants works as a microhabitat for small frogs and insects. Great sand dunes are also predominant in some points of this ecoregion, sometimes surrounding coastal lagoons. In the Neocene, many of the original lagoons had disappeared due to natural events. However, these same events resulted in the appearance of new water bodies. Among the largest we have: Niterói Lagoon, Amparo Lagoon, Itaipuaçu lagoon and Nazaré Lagoon. One of the lagoons that survived into the Neocene was the large Araruama lagoon. However, the tectonic changes turned it into a bay with shallow waters.

медведь: Such examples are the large well-bromeliad, species of this plant can reach 150 cm of radius and are endemic to open herbaceous areas of the restingas. What would cause a bromeliad to become large? Today, the only large bromeliads are puyas, but they grow in the mountains where there is reduced competition. On the other hand, in wetlands there are many plant species that would be competitors to a large bromeliad.

Автор: медведь пишет: What would cause a bromeliad to become large? Aechmea bromeliads are rather large - their rosette may reach 2 meters in diameter even now.

медведь: Aechmea bromeliads are rather large - their rosette may reach 2 meters in diameter even now. I did not know about them, thanks for interesting information! Then it seems realistic to have large bromeliads in restingas!

JOrnitho: медведь пишет: I did not know about them, thanks for interesting information! Then it seems realistic to have large bromeliads in restingas! The bromeliads would also be part of the flora of the dry areas of the restinga, closer to the sand dunes and away from the wetlands.

Автор: Ground-dwelling bromeliads are most primitive in their family. Hechtia, Dyckia, Navia, Pitcarnia and Puya are among them. But Ananas is also ground-dwelling one. In dry climate, epiphytic bromeliads are diverse. In dry Araucaria forests bromeliads of Billbergia genus live.

JOrnitho: Hi! Coming back with a new description, this time it's an owl. Imperial owl (Bubo imperator) Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae Habitat: Tropical South America, from open areas to forests. Most of the survivors of the Holocene were adaptable species that survived the human interference to their habitats and the climatic changes. They continued to evolve and their descendents are now living in the Neocene. The imperial owl is one of these cases. A descendant of the widely distributed great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), this species inhabits all of Tropical South America, from open areas like savannas to forests, such as the Amazon rainforest and the Atlantic forest. The imperial owl is one of the largest owls in South America. Females can grow to a total length of 75 to 77 cm, with a wingspan of 188 to190 cm. Males are slightly smaller. The plumage is dark brown with heavily barred and mottled underside, with a richly brown base. The facial disc is reddish-gray. The feet are dusky gray, while the legs are more prominently barred with black. The throat is white, being visible when the bird vocalizes. Like their ancestors, they have the prominent tufts of feathers in their heads. These “ears” are dark brown. Their large eyes are yellow and the claws are large and dark gray. Imperial owls are generalistic and opportunistic predators, hunting any prey that is disponible in their territory. They feed on smaller mammals up to the size of rabbits, rats, opossums, small deers and small carnivores such as mustelids, felines and foxes. It can capture bats in flight. This species also eats birds like passerines, parrots, ducks, geese, herons and medium-sized birds of prey (including other species of owl), reptiles, frogs, spiders and large insects. They kill its prey using its powerful claws and pecking its head. The prey is then taken to a safe place to be devoured or to the nest. Surplus food is often stored in “hideouts” within their territory. The typical vocalization is a sequence of low notes generally produced with the beak closed and the throat inflated. Monogamous, imperial owls mate for life and vocalization is an important daily ritual realized by both male and female to mark their territory during nesting season. Doing a duet, the male normally emits 4 to 5 bass notes per sequence and the female, 6 to 9 high notes. The reproductive cycle begins in winter, when the nights are longer. After marking the territory, the male normally contacts the female, often the same one from previous years. Both will also vocalize in duets during courtship. The male offers potential nest sites to his mate, visiting each location, vocalizing guttural sounds combined with songs. Often the place chosen for the nest is the same as in other years. They usually use abandoned nests of large birds such as Hawks, large “hollows” in trees, a depression in a ravine or cliff, cave entrances and between rocks. If the hollows in trees are occupied, the owls will expel or even eat them. They track woodpeckers to take over the nest that they made, using their sharp beaks to increase its size. Few birds and mammals can defend their nests from the owls' assaults. The female lays 3 to 6 round, white eggs. While laying many eggs, only 2 or 3 owls survive to leave the nest, since competition for food is fierce. The dead young are eaten by their siblings and parents. The female incubates them alone for 28 to 35 days, being fed by the male. When food is abundant, it is stored in the nest itself, which becomes rotten. To avoid attracting insects, the owls cover the nest with leaves of repelling plants. The nestlings have a whitish down. They remain in the nest for approximately 7 weeks, but are unable to fly well until the age of 10-12 weeks, some fall out of the nest in the process of learning. Nestlings are quite noisy when they ask for food. They are fed by their parents until summer or even early autumn, and then leave their parents territory. Sexual maturity is reached the following year. This species has a lifespan of 27 years.

медведь: Interesting bird! Except for: Surplus food is often stored in “hideouts” within their territory. Does the ancestor have this trait? The only owl I know to stash food is the Eurasian pygmy owl.

лягушка: JOrnitho Interesting!

JOrnitho: медведь пишет: Does the ancestor have this trait? The only owl I know to stash food is the Eurasian pygmy owl. Yes, they have. This video shows a Bubo virginianus hidding a raccoon in a hollowed tree.

Автор: Is it a biologically reasonable behavior trait to store food in conditions of tropical climate? In temperate latitudes, in winter the stored prey is preserved due to cold weather. In tropical conditions, it will decompose soon due to high temperature. Is such behavior known among tropical birds?

JOrnitho: Автор пишет: Is it a biologically reasonable behavior trait to store food in conditions of tropical climate? In temperate latitudes, in winter the stored prey is preserved due to cold weather. In tropical conditions, it will decompose soon due to high temperature. Is such behavior known among tropical birds? It's possible. Jaguars and other predators when kill large prey will store the remnants under leaves or in secluded places. They'll come back to it as long as the meat is still consumable. I think that the owl, when killing large prey, could do that and return to eat for some time.

JOrnitho: I made two new species for South America Marsh chital (Axis palustris) Order: Artiodactyla Family: Cervidae Habitat: Wetlands and marshes that are formed by the Paraná River and its tributaries in South America, the largest population is located at the river's delta. During the Holocene, chital deer (Axis axis) was introduced in northern Argentina for hunting purposes. It didn’t take much time for some individuals to escape and spread to Uruguay and Southern Brazil. In these areas, they competed with the already endangered local species of deer (Ozotoceros and Blastocerus) and proved victorious while the others went extinct. In the Neocene they gave rise to the marsh chital, an inhabitant of the wetlands and marshes that are formed by the Paraná River and its tributaries in South America. This species is restricted and well adapted to these flooded areas, avoiding competition with deermaras in the plains and forests. The marsh chital is a moderate sized deer with visibly sexual dimorphism, with males being larger than females. Males reach up to 90 to 100 cm and females 65 to 75 cm at the shoulder, while the head-body length is 150 cm. While immature males weigh 30 to 75 kg, the lighter females weigh 25 to 45 kg. Mature stags can weigh up to 98 to 110 kg. The 20 cm long tail is marked by white tuft. When raised, this tail signals that there is a predator nearby. The antlers are present only on males, being lyre-shaped. They do not grow upwards, but tend to grow outwards and then inwards, with a smaller branch growing towards the front of the head. The brow tines are especially long and noticeable. Their body's upperparts are rufous, with horizontal white stripes being present at the sides. The abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs and ears are light buff, while the tail is pure white. A conspicuous black stripe runs along the spine. The marsh chital has well-developed preorbital glands with stiff hairs. It also has well-developed metatarsal glands and pedal glands located in its hind legs. The preorbital glands, larger in males than in females, are frequently used to mark communication between different herds. They have very soft, insulated underfur, which is protected by an outer layer of long guard hairs. This traps a layer of air which keeps them dry and warm while they swim in the wetlands. They also have hooves adapted to move easily in the boggy ground. This species is a good swimmer, being able to dive and stay underwater for 3 minutes. This strategy is used to escape from terrestrial predators. The marsh chital feeds on a variety of water living plants, grasses, herbaceous plants, and shoots. Aquatic plants make most of their diet. It exhibits a bimodal activity pattern. They start grazing usually early in the morning, stopping when the temperature gets too high. In the evening, they start to forage when the temperature starts to drop and continue until sunset. After feeding it rests under thick and tall reeds and grasses. A gregarious animal, the marsh chital forms matriarchal herds comprising an adult female and her offspring of the previous and the present year, which may be associated with individuals of any age and either sex, male herds, and herds of juveniles and mothers. Small herds of 15 individuals are the most common, though aggregations of as many as 100 individuals can happen under favorable conditions such as during abundance of food in the rainy season. Groups are loose and disband frequently, save for the juvenile-mother herd. If an individual is stressed they will raise the tail as an alarm, revealing the white tuft. In case of a predator being seen, they will start to bark. The other deers will flee to nearest body of water, dive there and swim away. They don’t have a mating season, but most females become fertile during the dry season. Males will do displays with vocalization, tail rising and covering their antlers with aquatic plants. If two males show interest in the same female, the dispute is settled by clashing antlers. Gestation lasts approximately 271 days. The females give birth to one offspring per female, though occasionally twins are born. The infant deer are pale brown which becomes more adult-like when they reach sexual maturity with one year old. Marsh chital have a lifespan of 14 years. Gardener turkey (Meleagris hortulanus) Order: Galliformes Family: Meleagridae Habitat: Mountains and plateaus of South America, endemic to Araucaria forests in elevations of 500 to 1.600 metres. During the Holocene, the use of certain animals and plants in agriculture by humans resulted in them being spread to different continents. When humanity disappeared, some of these species became feral. Those that survived continued to evolve, with their descendants now living in the Neocene. The states of Southern Brazil once were important breeders of domestic turkeys that would be consumed during Christmas and New Year holidays. With the disappearance of humans, some of these birds went feral. However, they didn’t spread through much of South America and became limited to the areas of Araucaria forests, an ecoregion of the Atlantic Forest characterized by a montane subtropical moist forest. They became adapted to this habitat and in the Neocene gave rise to the gardener turkey, endemic to this ecoregion. The gardener turkey is sexually dimorphic, with females measuring 74 cm while the male is 110 cm long. The female weighs 1,100 g and the male 1,400 g. This species is slimmer than their ancestors, with a thin neck and small head. They are better fliers than their ancestors, with a wingspan of 160 cm. The plumage of the male is a mixture of bronze and green shades with iridescence. The wing feathers are white. Tail feathers are bluish-grey with an eye-shaped, bluish-purple spot near the end with a bright red tip. The female's plumage has several dull shades of brown and gray, with white wing feathers and a pale bronze tail. Mature males have a featherless, blueish-purple head and neck, with bright red throat and wattles. The head has fleshy bright red caruncles. The head and neck of the females is pale bluish-grey, lacking wattles and caruncles. The throat is pale pink. While omnivorous, gardener turkeys consume much more plant material, especially Araucaria pines. They also eat fruits, arthropods, small frogs, seeds and flower buds. Differently from their ancestors, gardener turkeys commonly forage in the trees, being agile and faster flyers. They sleep perched in tree branches during the night. They feed for several days in a row on trees that have a large quantity of fruit and usually follow predetermined routes to their preferred fruit trees. They also tend to return to the same fruit trees from year to year, which indicates that gardener turkeys are able to remember the ripening period and the location of these trees in the forest. They swallow the fruit whole, remove the pulp in the crop and regurgitate or defecate the seeds. It is important in the dispersal of several plant species, receing the name gardener because of it. Males are polygamous, mating with as many hens as they can. Nesting season starts in early spring. Male gardener turkeys display for females by puffing out their feathers, spreading out their feather tails, and dragging their wings. They have a vast number of vocalizations such as gobble, plain yelp, purr, cluck and excited yelp. Male forms leks, with a dominant one using gobbling and drumming sounds to assert dominance in the group and to attract females. When mating is finished, females search for nest sites. Nests are shallow dirt depressions engulfed with woody vegetation. Hens lay a clutch of 10–14 eggs, laying one white egg per day. The incubation lasts for at least 28 days. The poults are precocial, leaving the nest in about 12–24 hours. They stay with their mother for three months. Sexual maturity is reached within one year and their lifespan is 17 years old, but many perish early due to predation.

wovoka: JOrnitho, good animals.

медведь: Interesting animals, but... When there is an abundance of pines, these birds will dig holes to hide and eat later. Seems more like a corvid behaviour than a turkey one. Galliforms are not that intelligent.

JOrnitho: медведь пишет: Seems more like a corvid behaviour than a turkey one. Galliforms are not that intelligent. Then, I'll change for them simply eating the pines. I think that the bird that could do that is a descendant of the azure jay (Cyanocorax caeruleus).

медведь: Then, I'll change for them simply eating the pines. I think that the bird that could do that is a descendant of the azure jay (Cyanocorax caeruleus). That's a better solution!

JOrnitho: Some time ago, I learned that in the Brazilian state of Rondonia there are 5,000 water buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) living in the wild. They were introduced in the Guapore Valley for farming, but the project was abandoned and the animals became wild and there is no project to cull them. Besides these, there also thousands of domestic ones living in Rondonia, Amapá and Pará. I think that they could survive in the Neocene. My idea is that they would evolve into a smaller form, similar to the lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis). They would live in small herds, moving throught the rainforest. What do you think?

JOrnitho: Made a new description: Caracaraí, or giant caracara (Caracaraetus sicarius) Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae Habitat: Savannas and semi-arid regions of South America, also present in open coastal plains. While some species suffered heavily with human interference over the environments, some were able to benefit from that. The crested caracara (Caracara plancus) had thrived during the Holocene, benefiting from animals killed in roads, trash and fires caused by humans. It was with little difficulty that the lineage of this bird had survived into the Neocene, with the caracaraí being its descendant. Inhabiting the savannas and semi-arid regions of South America, the name of this bird was used by the people of Marajó Island to name its ancestor. The caracaraí is a powerful bird of prey, rivalling even the illapa in size. Their body length ranges from 89 to 110 cm. Males average about 90 cm in length, while females average about 100 cm. The wingspan is from 200 to 270 cm. Both sexes are mostly black to brownish black with strikingly white markings on the neck, the tip of both wings, and the tail. They have a bright red skin around their eyes. The beak is dark grey with the legs being yellow. Their claws are black With the size of a dagger. This species is specialized in hunting large prey such as deermaras, land caimans, giant tinamou, jacumitans, storks, herons, parrots and other birds of prey. Among those, hawks and falcons are their favored food. The caracaraí kill these birds while they are distracted hunting, using their strong claws to crush them. They also eat fishes and carrion, being able to dispute it with large vultures and young acatous, especially when working in pairs. Caracaraí is a monogamous bird, with mated pairs staying together even after the nesting season. Due to that, they can work together to bring down larger prey. The male will distract the prey, while the large female swoops down to do the kill. They breed during the end of spring and the middle of summer. The nest is a large, open structure, typically placed on the top of a tree or palm, but sometimes on rock formations. The typical clutch size is two white eggs with reddish spots. Incubation lasts about 28 days and is carried out by both parents. The chick leaves the nest around the third month of life, but continues to demand the care of its parents for four more months. Usually, only one of the chicks is raised by the parents, usually the one that hatches first. The youngest is killed by his sibling and eaten. Sexual maturity is reached with 2 years and they have a lifespan of 25 years.

JOrnitho: Reposting the Yara's description: Yara (Yara cancrivora) Family: Mustelidae Habitat: Brackish and coastal areas of Northern South America, Caribbean Islands and Gulf of Mexico. The anthropogenic onslaught over nature during the Holocene had damaged several ecosystems and brought several species to extinction. The disappearance of humanity gave some respite to the survivors and they continue to evolve, occupying niches completely new. The populations of tayra (Eira barbara) inhabiting the surrounding areas of Lake Maracaibo and the Gulf of Venezuela had gave rise to an aquatic species. This animal is the yara, which shares its name with a siren of the Amazonian folklore and in Tupi it means "the one that lives in the waters". The yaras are medium-sized aquatic mammals that inhabit brackish and coastal areas of the Northern South America, Caribbean Islands and the surrounding regions of the Gulf of Mexico. The males have 150 cm, while the females have 120 cm. The yaras have an elongated body, with a fin layer of fat, which helps the animal to float. Like seals, their paws are modified into flippers, with their hind flippers being bound to the pelvis in such a way that they cannot bring them under their bodies to walk on them.When compared to the body, the animal's foreflippers are relatively short with a slong claw and the hindflippers are slender. Small claws are present at the foreflippers, with a large one present at the forth digit. In the males, these claws have 25 cm of length, while in the females they barely surpass 15 cm. The fur is short and dark brown in the upperparts, with a cream underside. The pups are born with light brown fur and a white underside. They swim by sideways movements of their bodies, using their hind flippers to fullest effect. Because they cannot turn their hind flippers downward, they are very clumsy on land, having to wriggle with their front flippers and abdominal muscles. The yara have a vestigial tail, with only 8 cm. The head is rounded with an extended broad muzzle. The face has relatively large wide-spaced eyes, upward opening nostrils, and long light-colored and smooth whiskers. Unlike true seals, their ears are present, but very reduced. These mammals feed mostly on benthic animals, such as crustaceans and molluscs. They have strong and thick masseter muscles that help them crush exoskeletons and shells. Yaras can remain underwater for at least one hour. Most of their foraging happens at coastal areas during the day, with them being reluctant to hunt at open sea. They can also feed on fish and sea urchins, biting through the underside where the spines are shortest, and licks the soft contents out of the urchin's shell. The yaras will also follow Caribbean algocetus, taking the opportunity to catch benthic animals disturbed by these large herbivores when they are feeding. Male yaras are solitary and nomadic, constantly moving in search of food. When two males meet, they fight fiercely against each other, delivering bites and slaps with their foreflippers. These slaps can result in deep slashes from their long claws. On the other hand, the females form small colonies of close related individuals, usually an older female, her daughters and their cubs. Such groups can have from ten to twenty individuals. Males will visit the groups during the mating season, which starts in late spring and early summer. The female gives birth to only one pup after a gestation of 9 months. The family groups gather in sandbanks and protected beaches where the females give birth. The pups are born with fur, but their eyes and ears are closed. After three weeks they open and they start to interact with the other pups of the group. Within one month, the young follow the mother to learn how to forage at the sea, but they continue suckling. During this period, mothers can be seen floating in calm lagoons during the evening while their pups rest over them. They are totally weaned within 6 months and independent with 8. At this time the males are expelled from the group, while the females remain with their mothers. Females reach sexual maturity with 4 years, while males reach it with 5 years. Yaras have a lifespan of 35 years, but predators take some individuals during an early age. Among their main predators are the sharks.

wovoka: I think, this description even better than previous.

медведь: Interesting animal!

JOrnitho: I made the description for a rodent: Caatinga digging hocicudo (Trypanomys vorax) Order:Rodentia Family:Cricetidae Habitat:Northeastern South America,the semi-arid xeric shrubland and thorn forests known as Caatinga. The species that now live in the Neocene are survivors of the calamities, caused both by humans and nature, that marked the end of the Holocene. Among the survivors were the rodents of the genus Oxymycterus. Popularly known as hocicudos, they had a great number of species spread through different biomes of South America. One of its descendants is the genus Trypanomys, the digging hocicudos. The type species of the genus is the Caatinga digging hocicudo, an inhabitant of the semi-arid xeric shrubland and thorn forests of Northeastern South America. The Caatinga digging hocicudo has a head to body length of 110 to 139 mm, with a moderately long tail of between 80 and 104 mm. The hind feet, including the claws, are 27 to 31 mm long and the ears are 18 to 20 mm. The snout is elongated making the head long and narrow. It’s flexible, allowing the rodent to move it around to detect smells. They have reduced eyes, short ears and short, soft fur. The dorsal color is light brownish, neither particularly darker in any region nor lined with black; ventral color pale yellowish wash, but with dark gray bases of hairs apparent. They have a patch of white that comes from the chin to the throat, a characteristic shared by all species of the genus Trypanomys. The upper surfaces of the hind feet are greyish brown. Its specialized body structure lends itself to the animal's subterranean life, with broad forefeet and large claws for digging. They have highly developed jaw muscles that help to close the mouth quickly, as to avoid swallowing dirt while digging. This species fills the niche of shrews and moles, mostly absent in South America. They live underground and eat invertebrates such as earthworms and insects. They consume half of their body weight in food each day. Caatinga digging hocicudos are active both during the day and the night. The Caatinga digging hocicudo is a solitary rodent, with a promiscuous reproduction. The males will mate with several females, dispersing through the population range to find them. Reproduction Happens during the entire year, but peaks happen during the rainy season. The female needs to be at an optimum weight to start the oestrum. Gestations last from 28 to 30 days, with the female giving birth to a litter of 5 to 10 naked and blind young inside a chamber lined with dry grass in the web of tunnels that they excavate. The weaning lasts for a month, with the young leaving their mother’s tunnels five weeks after that. They have a lifespan of 2 years. Other species in the genus Trypanomys are: Atlantic forest digging hocicudo (Trypanomys melanicus) This species inhabits the Atlantic forests in the Southeastern and Northeastern coast of South America. The Atlantic forest digging hocicudo has a head to body length of 109 to 134 mm, with a moderately long tail of between 70 and 97 mm. The hind feet, including the claws, are 26 to 30 mm long and the ears are 17 to 20 mm. The dorsal hairs have grey bases, orange midsections and blackish tips, giving an overall dark brown colour. The flanks have a wider orange band giving them a paler appearance. The underparts are orange, the individual hairs having grey bases. The upper parts of hind feet are light brown. Mountain digging hocicudo (Trypanomys serranus) This species is endemic to the “campos de altitude” ecoregion located at the Caparaó mountains. The mountain digging hocicudo has a head to body length of 107 to 129 mm, with a tail of between 67 and 90 mm. The hind feet, including the claws, are 23 to 29 mm long and the ears are 16 to 19 mm. Their overall dorsal coloration is predominantly dark brown. The individual hairs are blackish tips, narrow orange subterminal band, and slate gray base; sides of body slightly more orange due to wider pheomelanin band; venter orange but with slaty base showing through; ears dark brown and hind feet covered dorsally by grayish brown hairs. Pampa digging hocicudo (Trypanomys megacephalus) This species inhabits the low grasslands of the Pampas plains in South America. The Pampa digging hocicudo has a head to body length of 111 to 138 mm, with a moderately long tail of between 87 and 98 mm. The hind feet, including the claws, are 27 to 32 mm long and the ears are 18 to 20 mm. They are characterized by a large relatively large head if compared to the other species. Dorsal and lateral coloration of generally dark- brown from head to base of tail, with some specimens paler and more reddish- brown. The ventral color varies from orange to reddish orange; hindfeet covered dorsally by dark- brown hairs. Little digging hocicudo (Trypanomys savanicus) This species inhabits the savannas of central South America. The little digging hocicudo is the smaller species of the genus, with a length between 30 and 52 mm excluding the tail, which adds another 24 to 32 mm. The dorsal color is dark- brown to pale brownish red, without strong lining of black; ventral color dark gray to paler, cinnamon buff or pinkish buff. The upper hind feet are light greyish brown.

wovoka: Interesting rodents!

медведь: Interesting animal!

JOrnitho: What species of interesting small rodents you think that could evolve in the Neocene?

Chmumrikk: I think scaly-tailed squirrels (Anomalure) could be something interesting. African jungles persist in the Neocene, and some species may inhabit the land of Zinj. Besides, as far as I know, they are the best of all African rodents at climbing trees. It is also possible that the descendants of the Cameroon scaly-tail (Zenkerella insignis) may also survive. Although it doesn't quite fit the topic of the discussion.

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: I think scaly-tailed squirrels (Anomalure) could be something interesting. African jungles persist in the Neocene, and some species may inhabit the land of Zinj. Besides, as far as I know, they are the best of all African rodents at climbing trees. It is also possible that the descendants of the Cameroon scaly-tail (Zenkerella insignis) may also survive. I also believe that they could survive. Given its closeness with Cameroon, I even think that an anomalurid could reach the island of Bioko and evolve there. Sometime ago, I proposed a descendant of echimyid rodents with the abiltiy of glidding living in the Amazon. I also had an idea for a large descendent of the Atlantic bamboo rat (Kannabateomys amblyonyx).

медведь: I have read that there are not very many gliding animals today in the Amazon rainforest because its canopy is more closed than, for example, in the rainforests of South-East Asia. But in the Neocene we already have the Colash, a gliding primate, and the South American flying squirrel. I think the gliding echimyid would be too much, but it is still for Author to decide i the end.

Chmumrikk: Will Atlantic bamboo rat be able to survive? Now their numbers are not very high, besides, they depend on tropical forests. I have another idea - two lines of descendants of tuco-tuco - one will become more terrestrial and similar to marmots (I'm describing it now), and the second will become more underground and similar to gophers (Geomyidae). I think it would be interesting to describe their colonies and the predators that prey on them.

JOrnitho: медведь пишет: I think the gliding echimyid would be too much, but it is still for Author to decide i the end. If you take in consideration that Borneo have 14 species of giant squirrel and the dwarf flying squirrel (Petaurillus hosei) that share the same habitat and trees, the gliding echimyid could exist by filling other niches. The collash is a monkey and echimyids already share habitat with them. Regarding the South American flying squirrel, it's small. The echimyid would be nocturnal and feed in nuts that they can break and large fruits. It would be the same situation of the squirrels and monkeys in Borneo. If not Amazon, the echimyids live in the Atlantic forest. However, I think that the presence of gliding animals in Amazon could be explained by the reduction of the number of trees during the Ice Age. Chmumrikk пишет: Will Atlantic bamboo rat be able to survive? Now their numbers are not very high, besides, they depend on tropical forests. I have another idea - two lines of descendants of tuco-tuco - one will become more terrestrial and similar to marmots (I'm describing it now), and the second will become more underground and similar to gophers (Geomyidae). I think it would be interesting to describe their colonies and the predators that prey on them. Kannabateomys is still considered least concern by the IUCN, so I think there is still a chance for them to survive. If not, there are other species of echimyids that could evolve into large bamboo eating ones. I like your idea for the tuco-tucos! There could be a descendant of the grison (Galictis) adapted to hunt them, like how the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) is adapted to hunt prairie dogs.

Chmumrikk: I think there may be several predators preying on the descendants of tuco-tuco for example: 1)A descendant of the Patagonian weasel (Lyncodon patagonicus), similar to the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). 2) Descendant of Grison. He looks like a honey badger. Perhaps he will hunt in pairs with some kind of canine or with Hunting heron (Graviardea venatrissa). 3) Descendants of the big lutrine opossum (Lutreolina crassicaudata), similar to mongooses (I'm describing them now).

медведь: If the gliding echimyids will live in the Atlantic forest, it is possible! one will become more terrestrial and similar to marmots How would they avoid competition with viscachas?

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: I think there may be several predators preying on the descendants of tuco-tuco for example: 1)A descendant of the Patagonian weasel (Lyncodon patagonicus), similar to the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). 2) Descendant of Grison. He looks like a honey badger. Perhaps he will hunt in pairs with some kind of canine or with Hunting heron (Graviardea venatrissa). 3) Descendants of the big lutrine opossum (Lutreolina crassicaudata), similar to mongooses (I'm describing them now). These are interesting ideas. медведь пишет: How would they avoid competition with viscachas? The tuco-tucos could live in the savannas and pampas, since viscachas are limited to Patagonia and Andes.

Chmumrikk: How would they avoid competition with viscachas? Viscachas live mainly in the mountains, while plains viscacha (Lagostomus maximus) may occupy the niche of rabbits, and tuco-tuco may occupy the niche of ground squirrels. And the southernmost species of tuco-tuco will be larger and look like marmots (the current range of plains viscacha does not reach the temperate zone). These are interesting ideas. Thanks!

медведь: Viscachas live mainly in the mountains, while plains viscacha (Lagostomus maximus) may occupy the niche of rabbits, and tuco-tuco may occupy the niche of ground squirrels. And the southernmost species of tuco-tuco will be larger and look like marmots (the current range of plains viscacha does not reach the temperate zone). Thanks for explanation!

JOrnitho: Another idea that I had was for a tree climbing rodent that evolved a poweful jaw and with a strong masseter muscle to allow them to eat palm fruits. I think that they could evolve from the Oecomys arboreal rice rat. Maybe a species of owl could develop a mutualistic connection with the palm trees and hunt these rodents.

медведь: Interesting idea! But I have not heard about modern owls preferring one particular species of tree for nesting.

Chmumrikk: An interesting idea! It could be a small rodent on Puerto Rico (possibly a descendant of a rat). It could be hunted by a larger descendant of the Puerto Rican owl (Gymnasio nudipes) - it has a good camouflage coloration. Although, perhaps you meant something else.

JOrnitho: медведь пишет: Interesting idea! But I have not heard about modern owls preferring one particular species of tree for nesting. They do not, but my idea could be that some populations of this owl had learned that rodents would visit these palm trees and made their territory in areas with several of these plants. At night, they would visit the trees while hunting, snatching rats that appear. Chmumrikk пишет: An interesting idea! It could be a small rodent on Puerto Rico (possibly a descendant of a rat). It could be hunted by a larger descendant of the Puerto Rican owl (Gymnasio nudipes) - it has a good camouflage coloration. Although, perhaps you meant something else. I wanted it to be a South American animal, but your suggestion make me think that a descendant of Rattus sp. would be a good replacement for most species of hutia in Caribbean Islands. I'm not sure if hutias would be able to survive, given how threatened they are.

медведь: They do not, but my idea could be that some populations of this owl had learned that rodents would visit these palm trees and made their territory in areas with several of these plants. At night, they would visit the trees while hunting, snatching rats that appear. Then maybe!

JOrnitho: What do you think of descendants of Rattus replacing hutias in some Caribbean Islands?

Chmumrikk: I think that's what will happen on most islands. I said something similar in my previous post. However, I believe that the descendants of rats would have become arboreal rodents - on earth, in a large-sized niche, they would have competed with the introduced lowland paca (Cuniculus paca), agouti, and possibly with relict hutia (I think that before they became extinct, hutia could produce large terrestrial forms). By the way, paсa is introduced in Algeria.

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: I think that's what will happen on most islands. I said something similar in my previous post. However, I believe that the descendants of rats would have become arboreal rodents - on earth, in a large-sized niche, they would have competed with the introduced lowland paca (Cuniculus paca), agouti, and possibly with relict hutia (I think that before they became extinct, hutia could produce large terrestrial forms). I agree, descendnats of the genus Rattus could evolve to fill niches similar to that of Echimyid tree spiny rats ( Echimys, Phyllomys, Makalata, Pattonomys, Toromys, Diplomys, Santamartamys, and Isothrix) in South America. They could even evolve better prehensile tails like some porcupines. Meanwhile, Mus descendnats could evolve to fill the niche of small rodents, such Oryzomys or Oligoryzomys. By the way, paсa is introduced in Algeria. Interesting. I like to propose species that evolved from introduced species because some of them would without any doubt adapt succesfully to these habitats and have descendants. What do you think that it would become? Maybe an agouti-sized animal that works as a seed distributor by storing food in the ground and somethimes not being able to eat all of it? Or perhaps a semi-aquatic species, feeding of plants near fresh water?

JOrnitho: I upgraded the description that I made of a descendant of the Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) that were introduced in Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. Marine tegu (Talassosalvator piscator) Order: Squamata Family: Teiidae Habitat: The coast of Northern and Northeastern South America, including their ancestor land of the Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. During the Holocene, humans had caused several impacts on the environment. Among their actions was the introduction of exotic species and the places that most suffered with it were the islands. With the disappearance of the human species, these animals remained and some evolved in new species during the Neocene. The marine tegu was one of these cases. It’s a descendant of the Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) that was introduced in the Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. This species first evolved in these islands before reaching the coastal areas of South America. They are semi-aquatic marine reptiles that inhabit the tropical coast of Northern and Northeastern South America, including their ancestor land of the Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. Some vagrants can be seen in the Southeastern coast of the continent. The rise of this species was favored by the extinction of dolphins, with the marine tegu partially filling their niche. The marine tegu are sexually dysmorphic, with males being larger than the females. While the male can reach 260 cm of length, the females rarely surpass 220 cm. While the young are born an emerald green color with black markings, the adults are completely black, with only small and faint green spots in their backs and tail. Different from their ancestors, This species developed a mesothermic metabolism. However they stil use the sun to rise their body temperature with heir dark color helping them get warmer faster under the sun. These lizards have a flattened, paddle-like tail and large webbed feet, both adaptations that help them swim. They have large eyes that are covered by a transparent nictitating membrane when they swim, this allows them to have a good sight while underwater. Marine tegus also use their forked tongues to "taste" the environment and detect prey. Their bodies are also more flexible than that of their ancestors, giving them more maneuverability underwater. This species had become so adapted to live in the water that they became slow when walking on land. This species is carnivorous, feeding on fishes, molluscs and crustaceans. They use their strong jaws to crush shellfish. When hunting fishes and squids, these animals patrol rocks after fish that are hiding there. When foraging, they don't go into open sea, remaining in areas near the coast. The marine tegu is capable of hunting schools of fish, usually in small groups, in a similar way to how the sea lions used to do in the Holocene. The marine tegus spend most of their time in land under the sun in rocks or in the sand. When they are warm enough, the reptiles go to the sea after food. They form large congregations while basking in the sun. These groups have a hierarchy, with large and dominant males only tolerating females near them. Other males will be expelled aggressively. The breeding season starts at the end of the winter. The males will fight against each other for the right of having access to the females. Bites and hits of their tails are used during these fights. After they are fecunded, the females will move inland to dig holes where they will lay eggs. While doing it they become susceptible to being attacked by predators. They lay 18 to 25 eggs. The young are born after 64 days and instinctively they will move to the water, usually estuaries and mangroves. For the first two years, they avoid the sea. They can be eaten by birds, large fishes and even adult marine tegus. The sexual maturity is reached with 8 years and their lifespan is of 47 years.

медведь: Interesting reptile!

JOrnitho: Another idea that been in the files of my computer and that I decided to finish. This time is a predatory peccary for South America. Ahó Ahó, the bone-crushing peccary (Diablochoerus borophagus) Order: Artiodactyla Family: Tayassuidae Habitat: Savannas of Central South America, both in the Gran Chaco and Cerrado biomes. The human interference over nature during the Holocene had resulted in the extinction of many species. Those that survived were able to fill the niches left by them, in some cases giving rise to very derived forms. The ahó ahó, the bone-crushing peccary, is one of these cases. It evolved from the omnivorous collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu). While still being capable of feeding on plant material, the ahó ahó had developed a taste for meat. Inhabiting the savannas of Central South America, both in the Gran Chaco and Cerrado biomes, this species is named after one of the seven monstrous sons of the evil spirit Tau and the woman Kerana, beings that are part of the Guarani people’s mythology. The ahó ahó is a large animal, with an adult having 190 cm of length and 150 cm of height at the shoulder. Their fur is dark brown with a vivid reddish brown patch at the throat in males. This area is dull brown in females. The belly is light brown. The tail is short and is hidden by the fur. Their body shape is similar to that of an Entelodontid, with long limbs and a robust body. The females are slender than males. The head is long and full of strong muscles. In a case of convergent evolution with the extinct Archaeotherium, they developed pterygoids with a midline synarthrosis, meaning that they are essentially incapable of movement. This is an adaptation to resisting stresses exerted on the back of the skull by the jaw muscles. Their canine teeth can reach 30 cm in males and 25 cm in females. This species is still an omnivore, but has a greater preference for meat. It’s common to see an ahó ahó scavenging carcasses left behind by other predators or that they had stolen from said predators by scaring them with aggressive displays of clacking teeth and rising fur. They are also capable of hunting lizards, rodents, terrestrial birds, rabbits and pairs can even kill weak deermaras by working together. Prey is killed with a powerful bite that is capable of breaking bones to reach marrow inside. Turtle shells are also broken this way. Their bite is also used to break palm fruits. Other plant materials eaten by them are fruits, vines, roots and bulbs. Ahó ahó are monogamous animals, living in pairs. However, it isn't uncommon for such pairs can break up after some time, with the animals seeking new partners. While the pair remains together, these suids will not tolerate others of the same species, with intimidation displays being realized by both male and female to scare away the rivals. They will work together by clacking their teeth. If it isn’t enough, there will be fights. The mated pair will forage together, and even hunt prey together. Usually, the slender female will chase after the prey, guiding to where the more robust male is waiting for an ambush. He'll surprise the prey, killing it with a bone crushing bite. Reproduction happens year round, with the gestation lasting for 165 days. The female gives birth to two young that are already capable of following their parents. They remain with the parents until reaching 2 years, during this period they learn to hunt and seek vegetables. After this age is reached, they are chased away. Siblings stay together until maturity is reached with 9 years. The ahó ahó have a lifespan of 27 years.

bhut2: Agreed!

wovoka: Good animal. For our chapter Thickets of predatory tomato.

медведь: Interesting animal!

Chmumrikk: Marine tegu (Talassosalvator piscator) An interesting reptile, almost a reborn mosasaur! I have 2 questions.: 1) Are these tagu mesothermic? Or are they more poikilothermic? I think with their level of activity, they can be mesothermic. 2)How do they navigate in the water? With the help of sight, smell, chemoreception? Or have they developed some other senses? Ahó Ahó, the bone-crushing peccary (Diablochoerus borophagus) Unusual peccary!

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: An interesting reptile, almost a reborn mosasaur! I have 2 questions.: 1) Are these tagu mesothermic? Or are they more poikilothermic? I think with their level of activity, they can be mesothermic. I think that they would be mesothermics, but still avoiding colder waters and laying under the sun after swimming to get hot faster. Chmumrikk пишет: 2)How do they navigate in the water? With the help of sight, smell, chemoreception? Or have they developed some other senses? By sight and collecting particles in the water with their tongues. The eyes would be larger and with a membrane covering their eyes. I'll leave it clear in the description.

Chmumrikk: Okay, thanks for the explanation.

JOrnitho: Another rodent for South America: Atlantic hopping colilargo, or black-eared hopping colilargo (Saltomys melanotis) Order: Rodentia Family: Cricetidae Habitat: Lowland moist broadleaf forest in the Atlantic coast of South America. During the Holocene, the Order Rodentia was one of the most successful among the mammals with thousands of species. During the Neocene, rodents maintained their diversity and new species appeared. One of them is the Atlantic hopping colilargo, one of the descendants of the black-footed colilargo (Oligoryzomys nigripes). This species inhabits the lowland moist broadleaf forest in the Atlantic coast of South America. The Atlantic hopping colilargo has a body length of 92 mm with a tail measuring 116 mm. The weight of the animal ranges from 27 grams to 33 grams. The eyes of this species are rounded and jet black. They have reddish brown upperparts, while the sides are more lightly colored with a visible contrast with the belly. This species has black-colored fur in the ears. The genus most notable characteristics are the longer hind feet, which can be 28 to 35 mm long, and relatively short forelimbs. The members of this genus had a convergent evolution with the jumping mouse (genus Zapus). Like these mice, the hopping colilargo evades predators by leaping distances of over 150 cm. They leap with their head turned downwards, arching their back and diving on the ground while at the same time preparing to make another leap. This species is omnivorous, feeding on insects, fruits, seeds and fungi. Mostly nocturnal, they move through the forest ground in search of food. It’s capable of long leaps, short hops, and also can creep through the ground on all fours without having to leap at all and without any difficulty. The Atlantic hopping colilargo is mostly solitary. A promiscuous species, males are constantly dispersing in search of females, who are very territorial to individuals of the same sex. They don’t tolerate other females in their territory, since infanticide is common among females that seek to usurp others territory. They breed during the entire year, but more females become pregnant during the rainy season. The gestation takes 23 to 30 days, with a litter of 2 to 8 young being born at the end of it. The young become independent after three weeks and can start breeding within five weeks. The Atlantic hopping colilargo has a lifespan of 2 years. Other species of the genus Saltomys: Montane hopping colilargo (Saltomys serrensis) This species inhabits the montane Atlantic forest. It’s similar in appearance to the lowland’s species, with the exception of the ears being covered by reddish-brown fur and not black. Savanna hopping colilargo (Saltomys savannicus) This species inhabits the savannas of central South America. It's smaller than all the other Saltomys species (body lenght: 90 mm; tail: 117 mm; weight 30 grams). Their upperparts are sandy brown while the underparts are yellow. The head have some light gray hues. Pampa hopping colilargo (Saltomys griseopes) This species inhabits the pampas of South America. It’s slightly larger than the other species (body lenght: 94 mm; tail: 120 mm; weight: 35 grams). Their upperparts are dark brown, while the belly is pale buff.

Chmumrikk: Interesting beast!

JOrnitho: Another rodent species: Atlantic tree colilargo (Scanderomys melanopes) Order: Rodentia Family: Cricetidae Habitat: Atlantic forest of Southeastern South America, up to 1,200 m above the sea level. During the Holocene, the Order Rodentia was one of the most successful among the mammals with thousands of species. During the Neocene, rodents maintained their diversity and new species appeared. One of them is the Atlantic tree colilargo, one of the descendants of the black-footed colilargo (Oligoryzomys nigripes). While the hopping colilargo (Saltomys) had taken the ground, the tree colilargo had become completely arboreal. This species is an inhabitant of the Atlantic forest of Southeastern South America, up to 1,200 m above the sea level. The Atlantic tree colilargo has a body length of 92 mm, a tail of 120 mm and weight 31 grams. All members of this genus had developed prehensile tails that are used to help them move easily through the trees. Their fur is yellowish-brown with the sides being lighter, resulting in a weaker countershading with the white belly. The guard hair is dark colored and bristly, giving them a spiny appearance. This characteristic is present in all Scanderomys species and makes them an unpleasant prey to be eaten. Their feet are well adapted to hold branches, with well developed plantar pads. The ears are rounded and the eye black and large. This species is omnivorous, feeding on insects, seeds, fruits and fungi. They are nocturnal, foraging among the tree’s branches during the night. Even with their bristly fur, they are preyed on by owls, snakes, predatory marsupials (Martenodelphidae) and the predatory rodent anguja. The Atlantic tree colilargo is solitary. They have a promiscuous reproduction, with males dispersing in search of more mates. Females, however, are territorial among themselves. They will not tolerate other females in their territory due to competition for resources and due to infanticide. They breed during the entire year, but more females become pregnant during the rainy season. The gestation takes 23 to 30 days, with a litter of 2 to 8 young being born at the end of it. They are born in nests made by the females inside tree holes with dry leaves. The young become independent after three weeks and can start breeding within five weeks. The Atlantic hopping colilargo has a lifespan of 2 years. Other species in the genus Scanderomys: Cerrado tree colilargo (Scanderomys serradensis) This species inhabits the gallery forests of the western parts of the Cerrado biome. It has the same size as the Atlantic species, with their main difference being the dark grey fur located in their feet. Black-headed tree colilargo (Scanderomys melanocephalus) An inhabitant of the dry forests that mark the transition between the dry Caatinga and the Atlantic forest in Northeastern South America, it is slightly larger than the other species (body length: 93 mm; tail: 122 mm; weight: 34 grams). They also differ from the other species due to the black head.

Chmumrikk: An interesting idea, I also recently thought about the descendants of the northern fauna in South America. What do you think is the future of South American hares and shrews? How can they avoid competition with the local fauna?

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: An interesting idea, I also recently thought about the descendants of the northern fauna in South America. What do you think is the future of South American hares and shrews? How can they avoid competition with the local fauna? I think that shrews would remain in Northern South America, like how happens today. We have a shrew species in South America, but only in some countries at the North of the continent. I think that hares would remain in the same niche that they had in the Holocene, since deermaras already fill the niche of harelopes. I even started working in a description of a descendant of the hare in South America and it conserved the characteristic of its ancestors. Something that I was thinking these days was the small Indian mongoose. This species was introduced in Suriname (it's present in the book Mammals of Suriname by Husson) and in the island Trinidad and Tobago. The island is very close to South America and a landbridge could form during the Ice Age or due to tectonic movements connecting it with the continent. This could make mongooses enter South America. I contemplated the idea of it happening, but they being limited to Northern South America by not crosing the Amazonas River. They would not compete with marsupials due to being diurnal. If they crossed the Amazonas, I think that we could see a suricate like form living in the savannas (Cerrado).

медведь: Interesting animals and ideas!

Chmumrikk: An interesting thought. Can mongooses become something like genettes or otters? I had an idea for a descendant of the big lutrine opossum (Lutreolina crassicaudata), which lives in the pampas and looks like meerkats and mongooses. I think that if real mongooses poke, they will displace the marsupials from their niche.

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: An interesting thought. Can mongooses become something like genettes or otters? I had an idea for a descendant of the big lutrine opossum (Lutreolina crassicaudata), which lives in the pampas and looks like meerkats and mongooses. I think that if real mongooses poke, they will displace the marsupials from their niche. They can, but I would like to leave mongooses as diurnal and a bit terrestrial since the project already have marsupials that more or less fill the niche of otters and genets, like the marten opossum. Maybe the ones living in trees could be specialized insectivores, replacing Tamandua anteaters. We could also have some omnivorous-frugivorous forms too. These South American mongooses could be part of a new subfamily named Austrohespertinae. I think that the mongooses of Trinidad and Tobago could have entered South America and connected with the population in Suriname, crossed the Amazon at some point in the past, reaching the savannas of Cerrado where the meerkat like form evolved. In the Atlantic forest they would be like the typical serpent eating terrestrial mongoose. The greatest diversity of the group would be in northern South America, where more derived forms appeared.

Chmumrikk: It would be interesting to see the shape of a mongoose feeding on ants - this niche in the trees is free (armadillos are in no hurry to occupy it). Actually, I had the idea of a possum that looked like a tamandua, but a mongoose would also be a good fit for this role. I wonder how far his specialization could have gone in 25 million years? By the way, many animals that feed on ants and termites independently come to the point that they begin to carry cubs on their backs (anteaters, pangolins, sloth bear). Can this mongoose anteater come to this too?

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: It would be interesting to see the shape of a mongoose feeding on ants - this niche in the trees is free (armadillos are in no hurry to occupy it). Actually, I had the idea of a possum that looked like a tamandua, but a mongoose would also be a good fit for this role. I wonder how far his specialization could have gone in 25 million years? By the way, many animals that feed on ants and termites independently come to the point that they begin to carry cubs on their backs (anteaters, pangolins, sloth bear). Can this mongoose anteater come to this too? Some time ago, I proposed a tamandua-like armadillo living in trees and feeding in ants and termites. However, it’s endemic to Atlantic forest and gallery forests in eastern South America. The Neocene already have the ant-mungo, so something similar in South America could happen. The tamandua mongoose can live in Amazon and western South America. Regarding carrying cubs, I think that it would be possible after they are old enough to leave the den.

медведь: I wonder how far his specialization could have gone in 25 million years? Like a falanouc, but arboreal?

JOrnitho: I was reading the description of the Amazon marsupial marten and is said there that it's active during the morning and "in the evening up to sunset". Due to that, perhaps the descendant of the mongoose that looks like a falanouc could be nocturnal. This way they would not compete.

медведь: A good idea!

JOrnitho: Other possibility is that this descendant of the mongoose evolved to be a specialized predator of large monkeys and other tree climbing animals. In this case, the marten opossum would be a prey.

Chmumrikk: I was reading the description of the Amazon marsupial marten and is said there that it's active during the morning and "in the evening up to sunset". Due to that, perhaps the descendant of the mongoose that looks like a falanouc could be nocturnal. This way they would not compete. I believe that mongooses have 2 main obstacles to becoming an arboreal ant-eating animal: 1) Competition with coati. They already have good climbing abilities and a long muzzle (although the nose makes it much longer). Besides, coatis often eat insects already. 2) Mongooses, in order to learn how to climb trees, must abandon a specialized feature - the shape of the pupil. It is wide and comfortable for a terrestrial lifestyle, but if they live in trees, they will have to make the pupil round or vertical. Will they be able to overcome this? Other possibility is that this descendant of the mongoose evolved to be a specialized predator of large monkeys and other tree climbing animals. In this case, the marten opossum would be a prey. It seems that there are already martens that can prevent mongooses from occupying this niche. But, during the period of glaciation and fragmentation of forests, mongooses can get a real chance to become arboreal predators, as they will better survive these events due to a more terrestrial lifestyle.

медведь: I believe that mongooses have 2 main obstacles to becoming an arboreal ant-eating animal: 1) Competition with coati. They already have good climbing abilities and a long muzzle (although the nose makes it much longer). Besides, coatis often eat insects already. 2) Mongooses, in order to learn how to climb trees, must abandon a specialized feature - the shape of the pupil. It is wide and comfortable for a terrestrial lifestyle, but if they live in trees, they will have to make the pupil round or vertical. Will they be able to overcome this? I agree!

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: I believe that mongooses have 2 main obstacles to becoming an arboreal ant-eating animal: 1) Competition with coati. They already have good climbing abilities and a long muzzle (although the nose makes it much longer). Besides, coatis often eat insects already. 2) Mongooses, in order to learn how to climb trees, must abandon a specialized feature - the shape of the pupil. It is wide and comfortable for a terrestrial lifestyle, but if they live in trees, they will have to make the pupil round or vertical. Will they be able to overcome this? I think that is very possible for the mongoose to develop a round pupil. There is already registered cases of small indian mongooses climbing on trees. They can became more specialized for that. However, I think that would be more interesting if we have a pangolin-like armadillo filling that niche. I made one species, but there could be more and even a new family. Chmumrikk пишет: It seems that there are already martens that can prevent mongooses from occupying this niche. But, during the period of glaciation and fragmentation of forests, mongooses can get a real chance to become arboreal predators, as they will better survive these events due to a more terrestrial lifestyle. I agree. I think that the glaciation would be the moment that the mangoose would spread and diversify, especially because of the decline of predatory species that depend of trees while they do well in open habitats. The suricate-like species would evolve in the Cerrado because of the glaciation, since it would allow the mongoose to spread beyond Amazon.

JOrnitho: By the way, this is the description of the jurumi armadillo that I made. I think that I'll edit it to have more species in the genus, since the proposed range is too big and would suit a species complex. Jurumi, the arboreal anteater-armadillo (Jurumi myrmophagus) The human actions during the Holocene caused the decline of many species. In the Neocene, anteaters (Myrmecophagidae) died out, but new animals appeared and occupied their niche. One of these animals is the jurumi, a descendent of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) that is adapted to a semi-arboreal lifestyle and to eat colonial insects. The name jurumi, means tamandua in the Guarani language. The jurumi lives in tropical and subtropical forests and woodlands of South America, from the Atlantic coast to the foothills of the Andes, including the Amazon rainforest. The jurumi has a head to body length of 47 cm and a tail with 68 cm. Jurumis have long ears and snout, but their eyes are small. This species depends on their hearing and smell to detect predators and to find food. The tongue is long and the saliva is sticky. Unlike their ancestors, the carapace of this species is reduced, being found only over the upper part of the back. The sides and lower back are exposed and covered by a short, pale grey fur. To protect themselves from predators, jurumis stand upright with their powerful forearms stretched showing their long claws. These animals can walk on all four, on the outside of the wrists to protect the claws, and upright as a biped, using the long tail to balance. The tail is semi-prehensile and is used to help climbing and also to give balance when they are in a tree. Jurumis eat ants and termites, but they can also feed on larvae of other insects, beetles, worms and occasionally eggs and carrion. These animals extract their prey by using their extremely strong forelimbs to rip open nests and their elongated snouts and long tongues to lick up the insects. This mammal is solitary and mainly nocturnal, but is occasionally active during the day. Jurumis nest in hollow tree trunks or in burrows, excavated by them using their strong forelimbs. Females are polyestrous; mating generally takes place in the dry season. The estrous cycle will last approximately about 42 days. Gestation ranges from 130 to 190 days. The female gives birth to triplets. After birth, the young remain in the burrow, living off the mother’s milk for about 4 months. They then begin to forage with the mother, eventually leaving after 1 year. Sexual maturity is reached at the age of 2 years. The lifespan of this species is 18 years.

медведь: However, I think that would be more interesting if we have a pangolin-like armadillo filling that niche. Can modern armadillos climb trees? Or had there been fossil species that did it?

JOrnitho: медведь пишет: Can modern armadillos climb trees? Or had there been fossil species that did it? It isn’t know, but they can climb logs and fences. If it's improbable for them to have descendants climbing trees, maybe a descendant of the coati could evolve to be tamandua-like.

медведь: maybe a descendant of the coati could evolve to be tamandua-like. This seems more plausible!

Chmumrikk: At first, I was a little doubtful about the possibility of armadillos climbing trees, but then I thought that the ancestors of anteaters and sloths were also terrestrial. Moreover, the entire Xenarthra group is descended from burrowing animals, which is why they have such a strong, strange spine. By the way, if the features of the spine prevent armadillos from climbing, they can make it more mobile, as sloths once did. And if arboreal armadillos have their shells reduced, how will they defend themselves? With claws?

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: At first, I was a little doubtful about the possibility of armadillos climbing trees, but then I thought that the ancestors of anteaters and sloths were also terrestrial. Moreover, the entire Xenarthra group is descended from burrowing animals, which is why they have such a strong, strange spine. By the way, if the features of the spine prevent armadillos from climbing, they can make it more mobile, as sloths once did. And if arboreal armadillos have their shells reduced, how will they defend themselves? With claws? Yes. I thought that they would use claws to defend themselves like Tamandua did.

Chmumrikk: What kind of defensive posture can they have? Like tamandua or something else? I think something else is better, but I haven't thought of what exactly. By the way, the sounds of anteaters and armadillos are somewhat similar. Can this persist in arboreal armadillos?

медведь: By the way, the sounds of anteaters and armadillos are somewhat similar. Can this persist in arboreal armadillos? Maybe!

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: What kind of defensive posture can they have? Like tamandua or something else? I think something else is better, but I haven't thought of what exactly. By the way, the sounds of anteaters and armadillos are somewhat similar. Can this persist in arboreal armadillos? I thought that they would use the same posture of the Tamandua. Something else that could happen is the males having thick heads with small protuberances that are used in intraspecific disputes.

Chmumrikk: What do you think could be interesting about Puffbirds (Bucconidae) and jacamars (Galbulidae) in South and Central America? I don't know much about birds of the New World, so I'm asking here. What evolutionary paths can they have?

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: What do you think could be interesting about Puffbirds (Bucconidae) and jacamars (Galbulidae) in South and Central America? I don't know much about birds of the New World, so I'm asking here. What evolutionary paths can they have? They could evolve to hunt small vertebrates, like the kookaburra. Since a large number of birds of prey became extinct, I think that it’s possible for these Piciformes to partially fill predatory niches. I would say that they could even hunt bats during the twilight, but I think that it would be more suitable for a large nightjar.

медведь: I would say that they could even hunt bats during the twilight, but I think that it would be more suitable for a large nightjar. Actually, some Asian hornbills sometimes hunt bats already in our time! So the carnivorous puffbirds/jacamars could become part-time bat-hunters, with no need to compete with the more specialized nightjar.

JOrnitho: медведь пишет: Actually, some Asian hornbills sometimes hunt bats already in our time! So the carnivorous puffbirds/jacamars could become part-time bat-hunters, with no need to compete with the more specialized nightjar. Good idea! The bat hunting could be something that only a small population learned, like with the hornbills. Also, I think that these puffbirds/jacamars would have a Halcyoninae-like appearence, due to convergent evolution with this group taht don’t do fishing too much.

JOrnitho: Sometime ago I proposed a descendant of the American minks introduced in Southern South America that evolved into fur seal-like animals. I'm reposting it with some alterations to make it more plausible (avoiding competition with ayapuh and reproduction details) and another species of their genus. I also made the description of a sister genus that is more similar to their ancestor. Millalobo (Paraotaria odontoacuta) Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Habitat: Seas of Southern South America, from Tierra del Fuego to Northern Chile in the Pacific coast, to Southern Brazil in the Atlantic coast. Nearby islands. During the Holocene, humans had caused several impacts on the environment. Among their actions was the introduction of exotic species. The American mink (Neogale vison) was one of the species that were introduced from their ancestral land in North America to several other continents, among them was South America. These animals were used in the fur industry, but a great number of individuals fled or were released. They were not only capable of surviving the transition of the Holocene to the Neocene, but also to evolve into new species, taking advantage of the demise of other animals to fill their niches. The millalobos is a descendant of the American mink that were introduced to South America. Their name is the same as an important being in Chilote mythology, an entity half man and half fur seal. This species is a semi-aquatic predator that has filled the niche left by the sea lions and fur seals. It inhabits Southern South America, from Tierra del Fuego to Northern Chile in the Pacific coast, to Southern Brazil in the Atlantic coast. They also inhabit the coast of nearby islands. These mammals are sexually dysmorphic. The male is larger and more robust than the female. He has an average size of 210 cm, with some reaching nearly 230 cm. The female barely surpasses 180 cm. The male also has long upper canines, which can protrude from the upper lips in older individuals. Their body is elongated and flexible, with a dog-like head with small ears. They have strong jaws with sharp teeth, which are capable of leaving deep wounds in their prey. This species has limbs modified into flippers, similar to that of an Otariidae of the Holocene. Like them, the millalobos is also more mobile on land. When swimming, these animals use their four flippers to give propulsion underwater. All these characteristics could pass them as a descendant of the pinnipeds, but these are only cases of convergent evolution. The only characteristic that differs from true seals is the presence of a stubby, 15 cm long tail. The pelage is thick and luxuriant, being light tawny on the females and young males, becoming dark brown in older males. Both sexes have pale underparts. The millalobos is carnivorous, feeding on fish, squid and pelagic crustaceans. They take long, offshore foraging trips, but sometimes can hunt near the coast. They can also eat seabirds, such as penguingulls, and the rodent Ayapuh. The females and young males prefer to hunt smaller prey, while the adult males hunt mostly the large ones. When hunting penguingulls, the millalobos patrols the waters near the breeding colonies, almost completely submerged, waiting for the birds to enter the ocean. It kills the swimming bird by grabbing its feet, then shaking it vigorously and beating its body against the surface of the water repeatedly until the bird is dead. The Ayapuh are surprised while they forage in the ocean floor, being killed by these mammals with a bite on their necks. The largest of the males is also capable of killing a newborn algocetus. While they spend most of their time on the sea, these animals establish territories at the coast where they rest. The males will have a large territory. They are very territorial, fighting fiercely against males that try to invade. These fights can be violent, with deep wounds being left due to their large canines. The females don’t have a fixed territory, being able to move around the territory of the males. They are sociable, even forming small groups in beaches or rocky areas. Such agglomerations are more common when they have cubs and during the winter. In the winter, the dominant male will occasionally participate in these groups to get warm. The mating season of the millalobos starts at the end of the autumn. During this period, the females will start to reunite in groups to get warmer during the night due to the temperature falling. Such groups are usually formed in the center of the territory of a dominant male. With most of the females together in only one place, the male will come in search of those that are fertile. The male will do it for 3 weeks, copulating with most of the receptive females that he can find. Is during this period that other males that don’t have territories try to approach females, resulting in fights. The gestation lasts from the end of the autumn to the beginning of the spring. During this period the females seek safe locations where they can give birth. These places usually are caves or calm bays, any place where the females can stay and the predators will not be able to have access to the cubs. Close related females gather in these areas, usually a mother, their daughters and granddaughters in breeding age. Such colonies can have five to ten individuals. Some females can enter estuaries, reaching freshwater in search of such locations. They give birth to one or two cubs. They are born with closed eyes that open five hours after birth. The ears take a bit longer, opening ten hours after they are born. The females remain with the cubs for ten days, after that they start to go forage at the sea. During this time, the cubs stay in crèches with their relatives. After one month, the pups already are capable of swimming and the mother will move out of the secluded areas where they were born toward the large groups of females that start to form at the beaches. Differently of the groups formed during the winter, these are smaller and only have mothers and their pups. While the females go search for food, the young remain together in large crèches. While there, they tend to stay around relatives, pups that came from the same group from where they were born. Pups are weaned after a year, at this point they are already capable of living alone. If they are female, they will remain with their mother in the female groups. However, the males are aggressively expelled by the mother, being forced to have an errant life until they are able to secure their own territory in the coast. The sexual maturity of this species is reached within 5 years and they have a lifespan of 36 years. However, few reach this age. Many males are killed in territorial fights, while individuals of both sexes are eaten by large sharks, such as the sea onza. The ipupiara (Paraotaria australis) is a closely related species. They spend summer foraging in circumpolar waters, but reproduction occurs in subantarctic islands and in lower latitudes as far as the Southern coast of South Africa, Tasmania and Southern New Zealand. Stranded individuals can reach the coast of South America. Their name is in tupi-guarani and means “the one that lives in the water” and is the same as a marine monster from Brazilian folklore, who some believe was a fur seal. Their color is similar to that of the millalobo, but they are smaller. A male ipupiara has 210 cm of length, while the female reaches 140 cm. Their primary source of food are squids, with ipupiaras hunting mostly during the night when these molluscs rise from the deep. Their large eyes are adapted to these nocturnal dives, allowing them to see in the darker. Birds are eaten occasionally, mostly by the males. Hybrids appear In areas where their range overlap with the millalobo, specialy Drake's Strait. Pacific marisquero mink (Lutroneogale pacifica) Order:Carnivora Family:Mustelidae Habitat:Freshwater and estuaries of the Pacific coast of Southern South America. During the Holocene, humans had caused several impacts on the environment. Among their actions was the introduction of exotic species. The American mink (Neogale vison) was one of the species that were introduced from their ancestral land in North America to several other continents, among them was South America. These animals were used in the fur industry, but a great number of individuals fled or were released. They were not only capable of surviving the transition of the Holocene to the Neocene, but also to evolve into new species, taking advantage of the demise of other animals to fill their niches. Two lineages originated from the American mink: one became pelagic predators, analogues to the fur seals and sea lions; the other maintained the size and habits of their ancestors. The last one is the Lutroneogale genus, the marisquero mink. In Spanish, marisquero is the name given to those that collect shellfish. The type species of the genus is the Pacific marisquero mink, an inhabitant of freshwater and estuaries of the Pacific coast of Southern South America, this animal feeds on clams, crabs, oysters and mussels in the shallow water. They would use dexterous front pawns to hold the food and force them open with strong jaws. Some populations learned to open shells by hitting them against stones. Being good swimmers, they can pursue fish occasionally. Semi-aquatic rodents, amphibs and lizards are also preyed upon. However, they prefer to avoid deep waters when foraging. The Pacific marisquero mink is similar to their ancestor, with a streamlined body with an uniformly enlarged, bushy and somewhat tapering tail. Their front legs are different, however, they are modified to allow him to hold prey. Males measure 34–45 cm in body length, while females measure 31–37,5 cm. The tail measures 15,6–24,7 cm in males and 14,8–21,5 cm in females. Weights vary with sex and season, with males being heavier than females. Winter fur is dense, long and soft. The winter fur's tone is generally very dark blackish-tawny to light-tawny. Color is evenly distributed over all the body, with the underside being only slightly lighter than the back. The guard hairs are bright and dark-tawny, often approaching black on the spine. The underfur on the back is very wavy and greyish-tawny with a bluish tint. The tail is darker than the trunk and sometimes becomes pure black on the tip. The chin and lower lip are white. The summer fur is generally shorter, sparser and duller than the winter fur. The thick underfur and oily guard hairs render the pelage water-resistant. This species is solitary, with territories being held by individual animals with minimal intrasex overlap, but with extensive overlap between animals of the opposite sex. Most territories are in undisturbed, rocky coastal habitats with broad littoral zones and dense cover. Home ranges are typically 1–6 kilometres long, with male territories larger than females. As long as it is close to water, the American mink is not fussy about its choice of den. Mink dens typically consist of long burrows in riverbanks, holes under logs, tree stumps, roots, hollow trees and rock crevices. The burrows they dig themselves are typically about four inches in diameter and may continue along for 300–370 cm at a depth of 61–91 cm. The mating season starts in the middle of winter and the births happen during early spring. The females give birth to a litter of three to seven cubs in a chamber in their den. They are born blind, with the eyes opening after 30–31 days. The lactation period lasts 2 to 3 months, though the kits eat solid food after 20–25 days. They accompany the mother on hunting expeditions at the age of 56–70 days, and become independent at the age 70–84 days. They have a lifespan of 10 years. A closely related species is the Atlantic marisquero mink (Lutroneogale albipes). This species inhabits the coastal areas of the Atlantic side of Southern South America, being found in marshlands and lagoons. Their main distinction in comparison to their relatives is white fur present in their feet.

медведь: Interesting animals!

Chmumrikk: It's very interesting, медведь and I were just discussing minks in Tierra del Fuego. I assumed they could become marine mammals, but I didn't know exactly how they did it. By the way, I'm currently describing a bestiary for one chapter about the Drake Islands and the second chapter about Kerguelen Island. I think that marine mammals will be very useful there. It would also be interesting to suggest descendants of krill-eating minks like the Crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophaga).

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: It's very interesting, медведь and I were just discussing minks in Tierra del Fuego. I assumed they could become marine mammals, but I didn't know exactly how they did it. By the way, I'm currently describing a bestiary for one chapter about the Drake Islands and the second chapter about Kerguelen Island. I think that marine mammals will be very useful there. It would also be interesting to suggest descendants of krill-eating minks like the Crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophaga). After I read about the evolution of pinnipeds, I thought taht the mink would be a good ancestor since the Pinnipedia had evolved from mustelid-like ancestors. I think that a seal-like form is possible and interesting. They could be like Arctocephalus gazella, with diets that depend a lot of the krill. The, they could have teeth like that of the crabeater seal. However, didn’t krill become extinct with planktonic collapse? Is there other small crustacean that filled its niche or did some krill survive?

Chmumrikk: Most of the krill died out in the plankton collapse, but later the plankton recovered, and the niche of the plankton eater was freed. Fish took it over, but mammals could have done it too.

медведь: However, we have to figure out why did not they spread to Antarctica. Because it is explicitly stated in the project that the Neocene Antarctica lacks mammals except the Falkland paralgocetus.

Chmumrikk: In general, with their circumpolar range, they will reach Antarctica sooner or later. It can be assumed that there are competitors from among the birds who will not let them go further south, or prescribe to them a narrow food specialization and the absence of their food near Antarctica. Currents may also keep them away from the south, but there is no map of neocene currents, and there is no circumpolar current near Antarctica, so everything is unclear here. And I also have an idea that they previously reached Antarctica, but became extinct there due to epizootics or famine, and now they are not there. In general, the almost complete absence of mammals in Antarctica is, in my opinion, a controversial thing. медведь and I recently discussed the possibility of bats in Antarctica. In the end, we came to the conclusion that this is a controversial issue, the answer to which depends on the decision of Автор.

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: In general, with their circumpolar range, they will reach Antarctica sooner or later. It can be assumed that there are competitors from among the birds who will not let them go further south, or prescribe to them a narrow food specialization and the absence of their food near Antarctica. Currents may also keep them away from the south, but there is no map of neocene currents, and there is no circumpolar current near Antarctica, so everything is unclear here. And I also have an idea that they previously reached Antarctica, but became extinct there due to epizootics or famine, and now they are not there. In general, the almost complete absence of mammals in Antarctica is, in my opinion, a controversial thing. медведь and I recently discussed the possibility of bats in Antarctica. In the end, we came to the conclusion that this is a controversial issue, the answer to which depends on the decision of Автор. A possibility is that these species evolved first in lower latitudes, having only recently expanded to the subantartic areas and have yet to reach Antartic proper, remaining only in subantartic proper. Meanwhile, there could be a krill-eating penguingull that have its range limited to Antartica, but in the past it reached Souther South America, South Africa, Tasmania and Southern New Zealand. The advent of the krill-eating mink had made this species range become limited to Antarctica and is slowly declining in numbers.

медведь: A possibility is that these species evolved first in lower latitudes, having only recently expanded to the subantartic areas and have yet to reach Antartic proper, remaining only in subantartic proper. Meanwhile, there could be a krill-eating penguingull that have its range limited to Antartica, but in the past it reached Souther South America, South America, Tasmania and Southern New Zealand. The advent of the krill-eating mink had made this species range become limited to Antarctica and is slowly declining in numbers. This would surely be the most plausible explanation.

JOrnitho: медведь пишет: This would surely be the most plausible explanation. I made an example of what this species of penguigull could be. If Chmumrikk proposes the krill-eating mink, I'll update this description to fit the idea of this bird slwly dying out due to competion exclusion. Crested penguigull (Sphenicilarus cristatus) Order: Charadriiformes (Charadriiformes) Family: Penguigulls (Sphenicilariidae) Habitat: Antarctic Sea, nesting in Antarctica and nearby islands. The Planktonic Collapse had caused the extinction of many species that were dependent on it. When plankton recovered in the Neocene, new species had evolved to fill their niches. Among them were the Crested penguigull. Part of the family Sphenicilariidae, this species inhabits the Antarctic Sea, nesting in Antarctica and nearby islands. However, it had once spread through the Pacific and Atlantic coast of Southern South America, South Africa, Tasmania and Southern New Zealand. The crested penguigull suffered intense competition in these areas, being forced to remain in Antarctica. Like close relatives, the crested penguigull is a large flightless bird. This species have 70-73 cm of body length, with very short wings. The belly is white, while the back and head are dark gray. This species is characterized by feathers in the head that can be erected when the bird is anxious or during the courtship. Their beak is large and yellow, with a vertical red stripe that becomes bright during mating season. Their feet are red. The crested penguigull feeds mostly on planktonic crustaceans, having beaks that are adapted to collect them from the water. Their beaks have small structures at the sides that allow the birds to trap the prey inside their mouths, similar to a filter. Small fishes and squids are also eaten, but are less than 20% of their diet. Birds breed during spring, forming pairs that last during the nesting season. However, these pairs can come together again in the next year. The male is the first to arrive at their nesting grounds, usually an island, and prepare their nest in a small hole in the ground that was excavated by them. Their courtship consists of mutual callings and rhythmic movements with their heads and feet, giving the appearance of a dance. Females lay two mottled eggs that are incubated by both parents during 20 days. After they hatch, the chicks remain in the nest for seven days, moving to crèches at the center of the colony after this period. The chicks moult into their juvenile plumage and go out to sea after 50 to 60 days. They have a lifespan of 16 years.

медведь: Interesting bird!

Chmumrikk: JOrnitho, I liked your idea and developed it based on your suggestion. Ineywawiun vulgaris (from the Araucanian "iney wawlun" - the one who howls) is a descendant of the American mink, introduced by man to South America. In the era of the plankton crisis, those who depended on plankton suffered the most - most of its specialized plankton eaters died out, and other species took their places. The same fate befell penguins and pinnipeds in the Southern Hemisphere - their places were taken by the descendants of gulls and the American mink. Such a rich food source as plankton was not ignored by them - the crested gull-penguin tried to master it. Mammals did not stay away, which led to the appearance of the plankton-eating insect. Their range occupies temperate and subantarctic waters near South America, north to the Galapagos, east to the Astrid Islands and west to New Zealand. However, they are steadily expanding their range to the south and west. Ineyvaulun is a medium-sized marine mammal with a body length of about 2 meters and a body weight of about 270 kg. Sexual dimorphism is weakly expressed, females are only slightly smaller than males. They resemble seals in body proportions - a massive streamlined body, a sharp muzzle, paws transformed into flippers, hind legs shifted back, and a short tail. Of this species. Unlike its closest relatives, it has a large head with almost reduced ears. The mouth is very wide, and the eyes are shifted so that they seem to look a little in different directions, although the animal has binocular vision. The front flippers are large and long, the hind flippers are smaller, and the tail is very thick, about 10 cm long. In general, he is not as slender as his closest relatives, but he is no less agile. The coloration is very characteristic - the main part of the body is light gray, and on the back there are two thick dark stripes forming a ring in the shoulder area and a collar and a "tie" around the neck. In males, the tie is longer and thicker, and the pattern is more contrasting and clear. than the females. There is a darkening around the eyes, and white dots above them. The front flippers are long, with a white border. The cubs are dark gray in color with a light belly and a white chin. They live alone (during the breeding season) or in small groups (the rest of the time). It is active mainly during the day. Ineyvaulun acquired an unusual predatory feature. which made him very competitive - he developed a weak form of echolocation. It consists of the following - the animal emits a series of jerky moans with clicks at the beginning, and then receives the signal with a thick soft muzzle and sensitive vibrissae. By the way, these vibrissae are very thick and grow not only on the upper lip, but also a little on the cheeks, shoulders, eyebrows and chin - they serve as a lateral line and are very important for orientation. The sounds are a long-drawn-out "walu", in case of conflict or danger they emit frequent barking. The basis of the diet is krill. They also sometimes eat pelagic squid and fish. The hunting of juveniles is interesting - when they find a flock of krill, they surround it and swim in circles. creating a barrier of air bubbles, as the Holocene whale was made. Then, one by one, the individuals burst into the school, stuffing their mouths with krill. They also have a device for eating plankton - their premolars and molars have a characteristic shape resembling that of crab-eating seals. During the breeding season, they eat krill less often, eating fish and squid more often. The rutting season begins in summer, during the cold season. Ineyvauluns gather on the shores in groups of 10 to 50. They are not as aggressive as Holocene sea lions and they have almost no mating demonstrations or fights - most often it comes down to the fact that males stand against each other, showing a "tie" and hissing. Mating takes place in early autumn and the groups break up. Pregnant females can stick together for more effective protection and foraging, but pregnant females stick together alone. During the southern summer, they actively feed, gaining weight, and after 3 months they give birth to 1-2 puppies in secluded places. They stay with them for about a week, and then visit them regularly, feeding them with fatty milk. At this time, the cubs can dig holes and burrows to protect themselves from the weather and predators. At the end of the southern summer, they already know how to swim, and by the southern winter, they accompany their mother on her hunting and wandering, learning new things and exploring the world. By the middle of summer - the southern winter - the mother drives them away and prepares for the breeding season. At this time, young juveniles gather in common groups, but those who could not find a group before midsummer most often die from hunger and predators. They do not participate in reproduction in the first year of life, becoming sexually mature only in the second. The average life expectancy is about 30 years. The black-backed Ineywawiun gastroalbus lives in the waters of the southern Indian and Atlantic Oceans. He is slightly smaller than his relative. his back is painted dark gray, his belly is white, there is a black stripe on the sides, yellow spots on his cheeks and white "glasses" around his eyes. The females have light specks on their backs. His muzzle is softer, his eyes are bigger (somewhat reminiscent of the eyes of seals). He is more social, the groups are more stable. It also feeds on plankton and pelagos. His hunting method is different - they hunt more often in the evenings and in the evenings. They also surround a flock of krill, but they press it to the surface by surfacing from below and eating the krill. The characteristics of reproduction are similar, but females and cubs form groups and raise puppies together. The black-backed ineiwaul is also expanding its range to the south. Its sounds are similar to those of its relative, but they are heavier and longer. In the description, in some places, the translator translated "mink" as "burrow" (in Russian, these two words are written as "норка" (norka)). I kind of fixed it everywhere.

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: JOrnitho, I liked your idea and developed it based on your suggestion. Very good description! I think that in the areas where their range overlaps, male millalobos could prey on young Ineywawiun. It would be similar to how leopard seal eats other seals' pups and the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella)

Chmumrikk: I think that in the areas where their range overlaps, male millalobos could prey on young Ineywawiun. It would be similar to how leopard seal eats other seals' pups and the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) Yes, I think it would be interesting. Maybe there could also be a descendant of the American mink that feeds on benthic organisms like elephant seals? By the way, in this case, he could have a wedding decoration like the Hooded seal (Cystophora cristata).

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: Yes, I think it would be interesting. Maybe there could also be a descendant of the American mink that feeds on benthic organisms like elephant seals? By the way, in this case, he could have a wedding decoration like the Hooded seal (Cystophora cristata). Well, it would be more complicated because the Ayapuh slso feeds of benthic organisms. This species would need to live in an area that wasn’t the Pacific coast of South America.

Chmumrikk: Well, it would be more complicated because the Ayapuh slso feeds of benthic organisms. This species would need to live in an area that wasn’t the Pacific coast of South America. I think that they will be able to avoid competition with ayapuh due to the fact that they will feed at great depths and further from the coast. For example, like elephant seals that dive several hundred meters.

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: I think that they will be able to avoid competition with ayapuh due to the fact that they will feed at great depths and further from the coast. For example, like elephant seals that dive several hundred meters. In this case I believe that it's possible. I like the idea of the male having a nasal sac like the hodded seal. Perhaps it could be colorful due to blood flux, maybe red or purple-red.

JOrnitho: Made the description of a rodent. Northern fat-tailed punaré (Hispidomys cearanus) Order: Rodentia Family: Echimidae Habitat: Endemic to the Caatinga biome north of the São Francisco River, inhabiting xeric shrublands and thorn forests. The Caatinga biome in Northeastern Brazil is one of the arid regions of South America, being known for its irregular rainfall. With the climatic changes resulting from human interference and of the Ice Age at the end of the Holocene, only individuals that were well adapted to an arid environment were able to survive in this region. The survivors gave rise to new species in the Neocene. The Northern fat-tailed punaré is one of these survivors. This species is a descendant of the common punaré (Thrichomys apereoides) and is a spiny rat endemic to the Caatinga biome north of the São Francisco River. They have a head to body length of 23 to 26 cm and the tail have 18 to 23 cm. This species is capable of storing fat for times when there are less resources in the environment. On average, they weigh 340 g, although males are slightly larger than females. Females have four teats, with one pair just behind the forelegs, and another in front of the hips. The fur is greyish-chestnut in the upperparts, with whitish underparts and ears. There are also white circles around the eyes. Differently from their ancestors, members of the genus Hispidomys have stiffened spines (or aristiforms) that are used as protection against predators. They are born with soft fur and the spines begin growing after the first month. Fat-tailed punarés are active mainly around dawn, resting for the rest of the day in nests among rocky boulders, or taking temporary refuge in any available crevice. They are territorial, defending their established territories from rivals using a combination of threat displays, kicking, wrestling, and chasing. They are agile animals, easily able to climb through rugged and rocky terrain, and are also able to climb trees. They are herbivorous, and able to survive without drinking for at least five months. They can obtain additional water from their food. They breed throughout the year, giving birth to a litter of, on average, three pups, after a gestation of about 97 days. The young weigh about 21 g at birth, and are born with open eyes and a full coat of fur. They begin to eat solid food within a few hours of birth, but are not fully weaned until about 28 days of age. This species has a lifespan of 4 years. Another species of the genus Hispidomys is the Southern fat-tailed punaré (Hispidomys baianus), an inhabitant of the Caatinga south of the São Francisco River. It’s slightly smaller than the Northern species, with a body length of 20-23 cm and a tail of 16-20 cm. The fur coloration is similar.

медведь: Interesting animal!

JOrnitho: Do you think that would be possible for a species of frugivorous bat in South America to evolve to be similar to the Megabats? They would be large (not reaching the size of a large flying fox, but still larger than most American fruit bats) and very specialized in eating fruits, having lost ability to do echolocation. The ancestor would be a member of the genus Artibeus.

Chmumrikk: Do you think that would be possible for a species of frugivorous bat in South America to evolve to be similar to the Megabats? The idea is great, but I had an idea of descendants of gaharo (oil birds) who would occupy a similar niche. I even came up with a rough idea of how to reduce their competition with bats - guajaros will nest in caves other than bats, and they will also have different diets and ways of finding food - bats will find food by smell, and guajaros by sight.

медведь: Do you think that would be possible for a species of frugivorous bat in South America to evolve to be similar to the Megabats? They would be large (not reaching the size of a large flying fox, but still larger than most American fruit bats) and very specialized in eating fruits, having lost ability to do echolocation. The ancestor would be a member of the genus Artibeus. This puts us before the question of why did not such a bat evolve in the past. What changes would be needed for it to specialize in this direction?

JOrnitho: медведь пишет: This puts us before the question of why did not such a bat evolve in the past. What changes would be needed for it to specialize in this direction? I'm not sure why it never happened, but some fruit eating bats of South America can reach the size of small species of the Megabats. My idea is that they would not be large like the largest flying foxes, but would be a bit larger than the living American fruit bats and more specialized to this diet. Chmumrikk пишет: The idea is great, but I had an idea of descendants of gaharo (oil birds) who would occupy a similar niche. I even came up with a rough idea of how to reduce their competition with bats - guajaros will nest in caves other than bats, and they will also have different diets and ways of finding food - bats will find food by smell, and guajaros by sight. The idea is that these bats would be adapted to eat fruits with very hard peel, among them descendents of the Annona and Artocarpus (introduzed from Asia) that I'll write, having sharp teeth and strong muscles in the jaws. They would be the main dispersors of the seeds of these plants. In large fruits, they leave open "wounds" in the fruits, allowing smaller bats to reach the soft pulp. LIke how some vultures follow other species that can cut the carcass. Smaller bats would follow them with this purpose.

Chmumrikk: The idea is that these bats would be adapted to eat fruits with very hard peel, among them descendents of the Annona and Artocarpus (introduzed from Asia) that I'll write, having sharp teeth and strong muscles in the jaws. They would be the main dispersors of the seeds of these plants. In large fruits, they leave open "wounds" in the fruits, allowing smaller bats to reach the soft pulp. LIke how some vultures follow other species that can cut the carcass. Smaller bats would follow them with this purpose. Then it is clear how they can be divided ecologically into different niches. This puts us before the question of why did not such a bat evolve in the past. What changes would be needed for it to specialize in this direction? Is it because of competition from guaharo?

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: Is it because of competition from guaharo? I don't think that it’s the case. The guaharo only lives in Northern South America.

медведь: I'm not sure why it never happened, but some fruit eating bats of South America can reach the size of small species of the Megabats. My idea is that they would not be large like the largest flying foxes, but would be a bit larger than the living American fruit bats and more specialized to this diet. Then it could be!

JOrnitho: I and a friend (he is a biology student that work with bats) worked in the description of a species of a large frugivorous bat: Masked andiraçu, or masked giant fruit bat (Macroartibeus personatus) Order: Chiroptera Family: Phyllostomidae Habitat: The moist broadleaf forests that extend along the Atlantic coast of South America, also known as Atlantic forest. Also present in the area that used to be the Argentine province of Missiones. In some species, the source of food used by them is responsible for the path that their evolution took. Individuals in a population that showed characteristics, which could have appeared through mutations, favorable to use a certain source of food could pass it down to their descendants, resulting in a process of speciation. In the Neocene, an example of such speciation was with the genus Macroartibeus, the andiraçus, which means great (açu) bat (andira) in Tupi-guarani. They are descendants from the Artibeus genus. The type species of the genus is the gray-headed andiraçu, a very large phyllostomid bat that inhabits the Atlantic forest of South America. The masked andiraçu is perhaps one of the largest bats in South America. It has a body length of 35 cm and a wingspan of 127 cm. They have powerful mandibles and strong masseter muscles. Their fur is mostly brown. This species is sexually dimorphic, with males having a characteristic white pattern around the eyes, snout and forehead that is similar to a mask. Females have light gray heads. The wing’s skin is black. Their ears are rounded and covered with pale bluff fur. The patagium, the skin between the legs, is very small, and they lack a tail, which is similar to its ancestors. They have a small nasal leaf, but the nostrils are large. All members of the genus Macroartibeus are mostly frugivorous, but they can also eat flowers, nectar and leaves, being one of the few species of South American bats that eat leaves. THey are also important pollinators. Insects are only seldom eaten. The fruits most eaten by them are descendants of the jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and the breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) that were introduced in South America by the humans. These descendants have hard peels that the bats are able to cut through by using their powerful mandibles and masseter muscles. Their presence in a region is denounced by the biting marks left by these bats in such fruits. This habit allows smaller bats to have access to the soft pulp, with some species even following andiraçus to eat it. To find food, they rely heavily on their sense of smell. They have large olfactory bulbs to process scents. Their echolocation capabilities are limited compared to their ancestors. Their predators are birds of prey such as large owls, predatory nyctibiids, serpents and felines. The masked andiraçu is nocturnal and roosts in colonies hidden in caves. Such colonies consist of one to three males, three to 14 females, and the shared offspring. The females give birth to a single offspring each year although occasionally twins are born. Breeding in this is bimodal and polyestrous with births being dependent on food abundance. Females give birth twice a year with one young on average for each birth. Mating is highest at the end of the wet season and births take place in the dry months. Embryonic development may delay in the second breeding season but parturition will occur in the following breeding period. Gestation is usually 5 months but can be as long as 7 months when there's delayed embryonic development. The female gives birth while perching and the newborn emerges unaided, head first. Mothers carry their pups when they are one day old but later leave them in the roosting area for the day. Young are weaned by 23 days. Young gain a full, permanent set of teeth at 50 days and can fly by 60 days when their forearms are fully developed. Females are sexually mature by eight months and males by 12 months. They have a lifespan of 12 years. A closely related species is the helmeted guandiraçu (Macroartibeus galeatum), a inhabitant of the Amazon rainforest. This species is larger than the masked andiraçu, with a body length of 40 cm and a wingspan of 132 cm. The most distinctive characteristic of this species is the dense white fur that covers the male's forehead and crown, it gives them the appearance of wearing helmets. The female's head is light gray. They form colonies in caves or in large tree holes. These colonies are similar in composition to that of their relatives, with one to three males, three to 14 females, and the shared offspring. Another species of the genus is the bearded guandiraçu (Macroartibeus barbatus), an inhabitant of the Andean cloud forests. It's the smallest in the genus Macroartibeus: with a body length of 30 cm and a wingspan of 124 cm. Males have elongated strands of white hair growing on their chin and throat, giving the appearance of a beard. Females lack such structure, having a light brown head with pale gray in the chin and throat. Colonies are formed in caves and tree holes. Their colonies are smaller, usually with a very territorial male, six females and their pups.

Chmumrikk: Interesting bats. Does the "beard" prevent the bearded guandiraçu from flying and hanging upside down?

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: Interesting bats. Does the "beard" prevent the bearded guandiraçu from flying and hanging upside down? I don't think that it would happen because the beard would not be long. I would only be some few centimeters long fur in the chin and throat.

медведь: Interesting bat!

JOrnitho: I made the description of a new species of mouse and modified one about the magrove rat that I posted some time ago. Atlantic mangrove rat (Palustromys cancrivorus) Order: Rodentia Family: Cricetidae Habitat: Mangroves and coastal lagoons of Southeastern and Northeastern South America. The anthropogenic onslaught over nature during the Holocene had damaged several ecosystems and brought several species to extinction. The disappearance of humanity gave some respite to the survivors and they continue to evolve, allowing several new species to appear in the Neocene. The water rats (Nectomys) were capable of surviving and their direct descendants are the rodents of the genus Palustromys. The type species of this group is the Atlantic mangrove rat, an inhabitant of the mangroves and coastal lagoons of Southeastern and Northeastern South America. The Atlantic mangrove rat has a 19 cm body length and a tail of 15 cm. It has relatively longer, less hairy ears and a glossy, long pelage. This pelage is made up of wool hairs and guard hairs and is dark brown dorsally and is light gray on its sides and ventrally. All representatives of this genus have palmed hind feet, which allows them to swim. They have strong muscles in their head, allowing them to deliver powerful bites. They are omnivorous mammals with a diet ranging from fruits and leaves to insects and small fish. They have preference for the fruits of the mangrove trees, being able to risk climbing to reach it. With their powerful bite, the mangrove rats can crush crustaceans. These rodents are also capable of removing snails from their shells. They are solitary mammals that are active during the night. The males have a much less defined home range and tend to roam, while the females are very territorial and do not tolerate other females in their territory. Conflicts between females can be vicious, especially if one of them has a litter. This happens due to infanticides being common in this species, with females killling the litters of others with the purpose of usurping their territory. When swimming and searching for food, the mangrove water rat is able to detect objects under water and lift them above the surface in order to inspect to see if the object is edible or not using olfaction and sight. When hunting on land it is able to secure prey but pouncing and grasping with its forepaws. Nests are generally built in a similar way to those of birds and consist of dry twigs and leaves woven together. They are built inside dead trees alongside streams and under dense vegetation for protection The Atlantic mangrove rat is a polygynous rodent in which males will increase their home range in an attempt to mate with many females to produce the most offspring possible. Although males tend to be sexually active all year long, the females have a higher pregnancy rate during the wet season. This will produce offspring that have an abundant food source when born, resulting in greater growth and larger populations. Gestation periods last around 30 days and the litters can be as small as 1 offspring and as large as 7. Males are generally absent when raising the altricial young, so the female is responsible for feeding and caring for their young. This species has a lifespan of 3 years. Another representative of this genus is the Amazon mangrove rat (Palustromys amazonicus). This species inhabits from the mangroves of Northern South America to the flooded forests of the Amazon River. Their size is similar to that of the Atlantic species, but their fur is black rather than dark brown. Living in the coastal lagoons of Southern South America, the Southern mangrove rat (Palustromys australis) is another representative of the group. This species has a body length of 16 cm, while its tail measures 11 cm. They have a reddish brown fur with white underparts. This species will visit beaches during the night in search of mollusks and small crustaceans. They can also consume beached algae. Atlantic marsh mouse (Paludicolomys megacephalus) Order: Rodentia Family: Muridae Habitat: Marshlands and freshwater reservoirs of the Atlantic forest in South America. During the Holocene house mice (Mus musculus) were a widespread species, having followed humans during the colonization of new continents. This species had become a plague, being a reservoir of dangerous microorganisms and also damaging crops. With the disappearance of humans, mice's numbers dwindled without having the food source provided by humanity’s trash and plantations. Only those that had adaptations that allowed them to overcome this situation were able to survive in the Neocene. One of such lineages gave rise to the marsh mice of genus Paludicolomys. The type species of this genus is the Atlantic marsh mouse, an inhabitant of marshlands and freshwater reservoirs of the Atlantic forest in South America, an inhabitant of the marshlands and freshwater reservoirs of the Atlantic forest in South America. The Atlantic marsh mouse is a small rodent, with 77-100 mm of body length and 70-90 mm of tail length. Their most distinctive characteristic is the large hindfeet that can measure 24-28 mm. Well developed interdigital membranes are present in the toes of the hindfeet, but they are reduced in the front feet. The tail has sparse hair and is bicolored, being dark in the upper parts and light colored in the underparts. The ears are rounded and short. The head is robust, with strong muscles. The fur is dense and dark straw-colored with reddish strands in the upper parts of the body, while the lower parts are pale buff. They have long and very sensitive whiskers that allow them to detect their enviroment while they are swimming While omnivorous, the diet of the Atlantic marsh mouse is composed mostly of aquatic invertebrates. They swim actively after aquatic insects and crustaceans, grabbing them with their fore limbs and using their incisive teeth to break through their exoskeleton. Seeds, tadpoles and small fishes are also eaten. They are more active during crepuscular hours. Male Atlantic marsh mice have established territories with access to a water body. They behave aggressively near other males, being common that fights between them end in death. Five to seven females live inside the territory of a male. Male marsh mice court females by emitting characteristic ultrasonic calls. The calls are most frequent during courtship when the male is sniffing and following the female; however, the calls continue after mating has begun, at which time the calls are coincident with mounting behaviour. The vocalizations differ between individuals and are as complex as bird songs. While females have the capability to produce ultrasonic calls, they rarely do it. Males also use calls to mark territory, with them vocalizing to signal their presence every day. Following copulation, female mice will normally develop a mating plug which prevents further copulation. The plug is not necessary for pregnancy initiation, as this will also occur without the plug. The presence or absence of the plug will not affect litter size either. This plug stays in place for some 24 hours. The gestation period is about 19–21 days, and they give birth to a litter of 3–14 young, with an average litter being composed of six to eight. The litter is born in a nest made of dry grass and twigs. One female can have 5 to 10 litters per year, so the mouse population can increase very quickly. Breeding occurs throughout the year. Atlantic marsh mice usually live less than one year in the wild, due to a high level of predation and exposure to harsh environments. Other species in the genus Paludicolomys: Montane marsh mouse (Paludicolomys montanus) This species is endemic to wetlands and rivers in montane areas of Southeastern South America. The montane marsh mouse has 74-98 mm of body length and 68-88 mm of tail length. The upper parts of their body is dark brown, while the lower parts is white. Paraná marsh mouse (Paludicolomys paranaensis) This species inhabits the wetlands and marshes that are formed by the Paraná river while it flows along the central axis of the Paraná Basin. This species is the largest in the genus with 80-110 mm of body length and 79-105 mm of tail length. The upper parts of their body is cinnamon rufous, while the lower parts are pale buff.

медведь: Interesting rodents! But does the ancestor of the Atlantic mangrove rat display such infanticide behaviour?

JOrnitho: медведь пишет: Interesting rodents! But does the ancestor of the Atlantic mangrove rat display such infanticide behaviour? There isn’t many researches about Nectomys reproductive behaviour, but it's know that the females of this species are territorial. The idea is that they became even more territorial, with females doing infanticide. Females of some species of rodents already do infanticide with the purpose of forcing other females of the territory.

Chmumrikk: Interesting rodents! I wonder what the basal forms of neoichthyomys would look like? What would be their advantage over martens, skunks, raccoons and mongooses? After all, they managed to occupy a water niche before them. Could they have a simple form of echolocation, like a desman?

медведь: There isn’t many researches about Nectomys reproductive behaviour, but it's know that the females of this species are territorial. The idea is that they became even more territorial, with females doing infanticide. Females of some species of rodents already do infanticide with the purpose of forcing other females of the territory. Then it is OK. Could they have a simple form of echolocation, like a desman? Do desmans really have echolocation? I know that some shrews have, but desmans?

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: Interesting rodents! I wonder what the basal forms of neoichthyomys would look like? What would be their advantage over martens, skunks, raccoons and mongooses? After all, they managed to occupy a water niche before them. Could they have a simple form of echolocation, like a desman? Are the ancestors of neoichthyomys capable of using echolocation or ultrasonic vocalization like Mus and other rodents do? If they can, then it's even more plausible that it will evolve this way.

Chmumrikk: Do desmans really have echolocation? Well, this can be called echolocation conditionally: the sensitive organs of Eimer are located on the nose of the Desman. Before diving, the animal beats its paws on the water, creating a wave and quickly lowers its nose, perceiving the reflected vibrations. Are the ancestors of neoichthyomys capable of using echolocation or ultrasonic vocalization like Mus and other rodents do? Only moles have Eimer's organs, rodents don't. So neoichthyomys probably won't have "echolocation" like a Desman. The use of ultrasound has also not been observed in Ichthyomys. But should they have any advantage over carnivores?

JOrnitho: Chmumrikk пишет: Only moles have Eimer's organs, rodents don't. So neoichthyomys probably won't have "echolocation" like a Desman. The use of ultrasound has also not been observed in Ichthyomys. But should they have any advantage over carnivores? From what I understand, they replaced the aquatic carnivores because they were fast to reproduce and evolve, filling that niche before the carnivores had the chance.

медведь: Well, this can be called echolocation conditionally: the sensitive organs of Eimer are located on the nose of the Desman. Before diving, the animal beats its paws on the water, creating a wave and quickly lowers its nose, perceiving the reflected vibrations. Interesting! Thank you for telling! I did not even know about these organs!

полная версия страницы