A recently identified species of spiny mouse, designated as Neacomys marci, has been located in Ecuador and is named in commemoration of the conservationist Marc Hoogeslag. The living examples of this newly identified species, Neacomys marci, have been observed in their indigenous environment. Photo credit: Jorge Brito.
The newly found spiny mouse species in Ecuador marks the 14th addition to its genus over the last five years. Neacomys marci was initially mistaken for a different species and is approximately the size of a tennis ball. It features a lengthy tail and has a light-colored suede underbelly as well as a white-colored neck region.
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Geographical Position and Relevance
This new species was identified in the Chocó biogeographical area in the northwestern part of Ecuador, becoming the 24th formally acknowledged species in its genus. The genus itself has undergone considerable changes in recent times.
The team of researchers comprising Nicolás Tinoco from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador in Quito, Claudia Koch from the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change in Germany, Javier E. Colmenares-Pinzón from Universidad Industrial de Santander in Colombia, and Jorge Brito from Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad in Quito, Ecuador, published their comprehensive description of the rodent in the open-access scientific journal, Zookeys.
The genus Neacomys is primarily distributed in regions extending from eastern Panama to the northern regions of South America. Research endeavors focusing on this genus have notably intensified since 2017, leading to the discovery of multiple new species.
Nevertheless, considerable portions of South America and the adjacent regions in Central America, such as Panama, remain insufficiently researched. As a result, the existing number of recognized species may not fully represent the genus’s actual diversity.
The Chocó biogeographic zone is acknowledged as one of the most ecologically diverse but inadequately studied regions in South America, despite its considerable expanse that extends along the Pacific coasts of Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador. Influenced by both the Chocó and the Andes Mountains, the rainforests in northwestern Ecuador exhibit elevated levels of biodiversity and endemism.
Research Methods and Acknowledgments
Significant revisions of museum assemblages and amplified efforts in field collection have been instrumental in gaining a deeper understanding of Neacomys marci along with other species. Additionally, molecular analyses are being employed to facilitate more precise identification of animal groups.
The species has been named in honor of Marc Hoogeslag from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He is the co-founder and head of the International Union for Conservation of Nature – Netherlands Land Acquisition Fund. This organization aids local communities globally in creating new ecological reserves and safeguarding threatened species. EcoMinga Foundation’s Manduriacu Reserve, which houses this newly discovered species, is among the several reserves that have gained from Hoogeslag’s initiatives.
Source Citation
The detailed study, titled “New species of the Spiny Mouse genus Neacomys (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) from northwestern Ecuador,” was authored by Nicolás Tinoco, Claudia Koch, Javier E. Colmenares-Pinzón, Francisco X. Castellanos, and Jorge Brito. It was published on 17 August 2023 in the scientific journal ZooKeys. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1175.106113.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Newly Discovered Spiny Mouse Species in Ecuador
What is the name of the newly discovered spiny mouse species?
The newly discovered species is named Neacomys marci.
Where was Neacomys marci discovered?
The species was discovered in the Chocó biogeographic region in northwestern Ecuador.
Who is Marc Hoogeslag and why is the new species named after him?
Marc Hoogeslag is a conservationist from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He is the co-founder and leader of the International Union for Conservation of Nature – Netherlands Land Acquisition Fund. The new species is named in his honor to recognize his contributions to conservation.
Which scientific journal published the discovery of Neacomys marci?
The discovery was published in the open-access scientific journal ZooKeys.
How many species of the genus Neacomys have been discovered in the past five years?
Fourteen new species of the genus Neacomys have been discovered in the past five years.
What distinguishes Neacomys marci from other species?
Neacomys marci is about the size of a tennis ball and features a long tail, a pale suede belly fur, and a white throat.
Who were the researchers involved in the discovery?
The researchers involved were Nicolás Tinoco from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Claudia Koch from the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Javier E. Colmenares-Pinzón from Universidad Industrial de Santander, and Jorge Brito from Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad.
What methods were used in identifying this new species?
Major reviews of museum collections, increased field collection efforts, and molecular analyses were employed to identify this new species.
Is the Chocó biogeographic region known for its biodiversity?
Yes, the Chocó biogeographic region is considered one of the most diverse biodiversity hotspots in South America. However, it is one of the least studied regions despite its size.
Are there likely to be more undiscovered species in the genus Neacomys?
Given the still unexplored areas in South America and adjacent Central America, the true diversity of the genus Neacomys may be underestimated, indicating the possibility of more undiscovered species.
More about Newly Discovered Spiny Mouse Species in Ecuador
- ZooKeys Journal
- International Union for Conservation of Nature
- Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change
- Universidad Industrial de Santander
- Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Ecuador
- EcoMinga Foundation
- Chocó Biogeographic Region
10 comments
Wow, 14 new species in just 5 yrs? That’s a lot. The biodiversity in Ecuador must be insane.
Neacomys marci is the size of a tennis ball? That’s bigger than I thought a spiny mouse would be lol.
Super interesting! never knew a mouse could be so important for scientific discovery.
So, are these mice like dangerous or what with the spiny part? Just wondering…
Been to Ecuador once, the biodiversity was breathtaking. Not surprised they found a new species there.
Hats off to Marc Hoogeslag and his conservation efforts. It’s folks like him who keep our planet going.
that Chocó region sounds like a treasure trove for new species. Hope it gets more attention for study.
Anyone got a link to the actual ZooKeys paper? would love to read it in detail.
anyone else intrigued by the molecular analysis part? Sounds like science is evolving rapidly to identify species more accurately.
Just goes to show how much we still have to learn about the natural world. Keep up the good research folks!