The mammalian faunas endemic to the Cerrado and the Caatinga

A groundbreaking study identifies a previously unrecognized group of mammalian species endemic to both the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, distinct from those found exclusively in either biome. This discovery highlights the unique biogeographic significance of these 'Caatinga-Cerrado endemics,' which face significant but often overlooked extinction risks due to habitat loss and misclassification in the IUCN Red List. Researchers compiled rigorous species accounts by excluding taxa with insufficient evidence, providing critical insights into distribution, conservation status, and taxonomy. The study underscores the urgent need to reassess extinction risk categories for these species, given the rapid transformation of their habitats into agricultural lands, posing a severe threat to biodiversity.

Gutiérrez, E. E., & Marinho-Filho, J. (2017). The mammalian faunas endemic to the Cerrado and the Caatinga. ZooKeys, 644, 105–157. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.644.10827