First records of Echimys saturnus Thomas, 1928 (Rodentia, Echimyidae) for the Peruvian Yungas

Abstract

Echimys saturnus Thomas, 1928 is an echimyid rodent that has been recorded in lowland, premontane and montane forests in Ecuador and lowland forests in Peru. Here, we report five new records of this species in the Peruvian Yungas ecoregion. Our records come from Amazonas, San Martín, and Huánuco departments. The Huánuco specimen, collected at 3300 m a.s.l., constitutes the highest and the southernmost record for the species, extending its distribution range by 251 km south. Additionally, we provide some notes on the natural history and conservation status of the species.

Keywords

• Amazonian region
• arboreal rodents
• Dark Spiny Tre