Variabilidade na estrutura craniana de akodon sp.

Abstract

Akodon (Cricetidae: Akodontinii) is a diverse genus of Neotropical rodent with a wide distribution in Brazil, occurring almost everywhere in the south, southeast, and northeast regions, with the northern limit associated with the cerrado vegetation of Central Brazil. In the scientific collection of the Zoology Department of the Emílio Goeldi Museum of Pará, there is a series of 181 specimens (112 males and 69 females) of Akodon collected from a single population in the municipality of Marabá (PA). Originally identified as Bolomys lasiurus (Cricetidae: Akodontinii), after removal of the material from the formalin, preparation of the skins and analysis of the skulls, the series was identified as belonging to the genus Akodon, possibly Akodon cursor Winge, 1887. This study presents the first record of the genus for the Brazilian Amazon and contributes to the knowledge of the morphology of the group through an analysis of the cranial variability of the mentioned sample. Twenty-five craniometric characters were selected and five age classes defined based on the number and functionality of molars. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a t-test will be employed to investigate intrapopulation differences associated with sex and ontogenetic growth. At present all animals have been measured and the data are still in the analysis stage.