Enlarging the knowledge on the Ecuadorean rodent Rhagomys septentrionalis (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) with remarks on rarity in sigmodontines

The cricetid rodent Rhagomys septentrionalis was previously known only from its type locality in Ecuador. Four new records are reported here, documenting a northward range extension of about 300 km. Obtained evidence include, for the first time, nests and a video of an individual in the wild. Distribution models suggest that R. septentrionalis potentially has an ample geographic range along the eastern Andean Forest. According to IUCN criteria the species should be categorized as Vulnerable. The case of R. septentrionalis, now recorded from five localities within a year after its original description, suggests that rarity in sigmodontines is mostly driven by limited field efforts.

Automated summary

The cricetid rodent Rhagomys septentrionalis, previously known only from Ecuador, has been found in four new localities documenting a northward range extension of about 300 km. New evidence includes nests and a video of an individual in the wild, which have not been documented before. Distribution models indicate that R. septentrionalis has a potentially large geographic range along the eastern Andean Forest. This finding suggests that rarity in sigmodontines is primarily due to limited field efforts and highlights the importance of conducting thorough surveys.