Ecología, genética y conservación de Lagidium ahuacaense: un primer aporte a la historia natural del roedor endémico más grande de Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract: The Ecuadorian vizcacha is an endemic and critically endangered species. Studies on this species are scarce. This work aims to make a first contribution on the natural history of the species. We carried out the study in different rocky outcrops in the province of Loja. We are looking for signs of the presence of the Ecuadorian vizcacha. We carry out the characterization of the habitat of the refuges. We determine the haplotype diversity of the identified populations. We record behavioral and connectivity aspects. We identify predictive variables of habitat. We characterize the threats it faces and make conservation recommendations. We visited 30 rock outcrops. We found 14 outcrops with presence and 16 outcrops with absence of the species. The surrounding vegetation was represented by 23 plant species, 15 species present in their diet. Two of the 14 populations presented isolation by distance. We obtained low haplotype and nucleotide diversity. The rocky category philite and quartzite was significant in terms of the presence of the vizcacha. The main threats identified were anthropic activities, fires, feral dogs and buildings.