Filling a gap in Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita (Cornalia, 1865) (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) distribution range: new record in La Rioja province, Argentina

Abstract

A pelt of an Andean Cat specimen was discovered in La Rioja Province, Argentina, a region with no previous data recorded, located in a large distribution gap between the two currently identified evolutionarily significant units (ESU). This new record not only improves our knowledge about the species distribution but can also provide relevant genetic information for a better understanding of the relationship between the two ESU.

Keywords

• andes
• carnivore pelt
• evolutionarily significant units
• poaching
• small wild cat