Distribution, morphology, and natural history observations of the Colombian weasel, Neogale felipei

ABSTRACT

The Colombian weasel, Neogale felipei, is a rare carnivoran known only from nine localities, eight in Colombia and one in Ecuador. Recent records have expanded our understanding of the distribution and threats that this mammal faces, but the species is still among the rarest Neotropical carnivores. Here, we present an update to the distribution of N. felipei based on a recent record obtained in the Cordillera Occidental (Western Cordillera) of Colombia, and information on internal and external morphology using noninvasive technique such as X-rays of museum preserved specimens. We also documented the presence of lice, Neotrichodectes minutus, which is the first documented ectoparasite of the species. With the new records, the species is currently known from 12 localities (11 in Colombia and one in Ecuador). We also present the first radiographic analyses for N. felipei and the obtained vertebral formula (49 total vertebrae) fits into the range reported for the species and other mustelids. Considering that the Colombian weasel is one of the rarest carnivores of the Neotropics, our work represents a noteworthy contribution to several aspects of the anatomy, distribution, and natural history of this rare carnivoran.

KEYWORDS:

• Cordillera Occidental
• ectoparasite
• Mustelidae
• Phthiraptera
• soft anatomy
• vertebrae

Acknowledgments

Thanks to all the curators of the collections visited for allowing the review of the specimens under their care and the personal of the Vereda Palermo, Caldas. We especially thank Juliana Bedoya Durán and Lyn Branch for sharing the information of the records in Valle del Cauca. Two anonymous reviewers provided useful comments that improved our manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01650521.2024.2375931.

Additional information

Funding

The program ‘Relación, distribución, taxonomía de especies de garrapatas asociadas a mamíferos silvestres en zonas endémicas de rickettsiosis en Colombia. Un acercamiento a la comprensión de la relación vectores patógenos-reservorios,’ granted by the Ministerio De Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación - Minciencias (Code: 120385270267 and CTO 80740-200-2021) – Project ‘Garrapatas asociadas a mamíferos silvestres en el departamento de Caldas: Diversidad, detección de patógenos y distribución (Code: 71717).’ GAPF thanks to The Rufford Foundation with the grant ’39245-B’ for the project ‘supporting local capacities for the conservation of threatened mammals in Puracé National Park and surrounding areas.’