Sigmodontine rodents (Rodentia, Cricetidae) from Quaternary cave deposits of Serra da Capivara, Northeastern Brazil

A groundbreaking discovery in the Quaternary cave deposits of Serra da Capivara National Park, Northeastern Brazil, reveals the first record of Bibimys, a sigmodontine rodent genus, extending its paleobiogeographic range beyond its current distribution. This finding challenges existing assumptions about the historical distribution of this group. Researchers analyzed sigmodontine remains from three caves—Toca do Gordo do Garrincho, Toca do Barrigudo, and Toca do Serrote das Moendas—and identified seven taxa, including Bibimys sp., Necromys lasiurus, Pseudoryzomys simplex, Holochilus sciureus, Cerradomys sp., Calomys sp., and Wiedomys sp. The study underscores the significant paleontological potential of Serra da Capivara’s deposits in elucidating biogeographic dynamics during the Quaternary period.

Neves, S. B. d., Mayer, E. L., Hadler, P., & Ribeiro, A. M. (2017). Sigmodontine rodents (Rodentia, Cricetidae) from Quaternary cave deposits of Serra da Capivara, Northeastern Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Paleontologia, 20(2), 163–178. https://doi.org/10.4072/rbp.2017.2.02