Variación morfológica y morfométrica de Heteromys desmarestianus en Chiapas, México

Abstract

Nine cranial and four morphologic measurements of Heteromys desmarestianus specimens of different geographic regions of Chiapas were examined, with the aim of extending the taxonomic and systematic knowledge of the species and to estimate its levels of morphometric and morphologic variation throughout its distribution in the state of Chiapas. The geographic distribution of the subspecies of H. desmarestianus in Chiapas is not uniform and it occurs in different subprovinces in diverse altitudes and types of vegetation. There are variations in cranial morphometry and morphology (pelage coloration) among the subspecies of H. desmarestianus. Particularly, H. d. goldmani presented larger differentiation with respect to H. d. desmarestianus and H. d. griseus; it is for this reason that we reconsider its change at specific level. Nevertheless, H. d. desmarestianus and H. d. griseus do not present significant differences in cranial and pelage color characteristics, and H. d. griseus can be considered in synonymy with H. d. desmarestianus.