A hint on the unknown diversity of eastern Andes: high endemicity and new species of mammals revealed through DNA barcoding

A recent DNA barcoding study of Parque Nacional del Río Abiseo (PNRA) in Peru's eastern Andes reveals unprecedented mammal diversity, with 23 non-volant small mammal species identified—16 during a single 15-day sampling expedition. Strikingly, only four of these species matched known taxa, suggesting that at least 12 may represent new or undescribed species. The study highlights PNRA as a hotspot for endemism and beta diversity, with 69% of recorded species (11 out of 16) previously unknown from other sites. Phylogenetic analyses indicate diverse phylogeographic affinities, though limited comparative data hinder deeper historical reconstructions. This research underscores the region's untapped biodiversity and the urgent need for taxonomic attention to address significant sampling biases in Andean studies.

Pavan, S. E., Abreu, E. F., Sánchez-Vendizú, P. Y., Batista, R., Murta-Fonseca, R. A., Pradel, R., Rengifo, E. M., Leo, M., Pacheco, V., Aleixo, A., Percequillo, A. R., & Peloso, P. (2024). A hint on the unknown diversity of eastern Andes: high endemicity and new species of mammals revealed through DNA barcoding. Systematics and Biodiversity, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2024.2302196