Deforestation and cattle ranching drive rapid range expansion of capybara in the Gran Chaco ecosystem

摘要: Anthropogenic habitat alteration has the capacity to alter distribution of species. Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are a widely distributed rodent throughout most South America, but restricted areas standing water. As Gran Chaco ecosystem Paraguay is converted from dry tropical forest pastureland, we hypothesize that this creates potential for invasion by capybara into newly fragmented areas. We surveyed estimate capybara, and collected noninvasive genetic samples. used ecological niche modeling based on six environmental or climatic variables, modeled both current 80 years ago. then verified hypothesized demographic signal generated with our model using phylogeographic analyses 386 bp mtDNA control region. Comparison present past models suggested populations expanded after was pastureland. Analyses mitochondrial D-loop supported rapid range expansion scenario. also found evidence secondary contact two distinct phylogroups which had previously been disjunct. land transformation appeared be major factor influencing distribution, as predicted confirmed data. Habitat modification altered connectivity across landscape. In addition, long separated clades now admixed Paraguayan Chaco. The large bodied herbivore High region may exacerbate degradation prevent regeneration. reservoir host several zoonotic diseases, disjunct implications disease emergence.