The newly discovered Northern Pudu, known as Pudu mephistophiles, is the world’s smallest deer species, measuring just over 30 centimeters at the shoulder. This species inhabits the Andes mountains in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. The discovery of this species marks the first living member of the deer family to be described in the Americas in over 60 years. Guillermo D’Elia, a professor at the Universidad Austral de Chile, along with his coauthors, identified two distinct species of Northern Pudu by examining specific structural features and assessing genetic variation. They found one type in Ecuador, Colombia, and northern Peru, and another type found only in southern Peru, which they have named Pudella carlae.
Biologist Guillermo D’Elia emphasizes the importance of pudus in the ecosystem, as they serve as food sources for predators and help in spreading seeds for plants. By feeding on leaves, shoots, fruits, and flowers, pudus play a role in dispersing seeds and shaping the structure of the understory. At the same time, they are prey for top predators, making their presence significant in regulating various ecological processes. D’Elia, who was born and raised in Uruguay and later pursued his education in the United States before settling in Chile, stresses that knowledge has no borders, despite the existing inequalities in the production and dissemination of scientific research globally.
In Argentina, researcher Micaela Camino is working on conserving the Chacoan peccary and its habitat through the Proyecto Quimilero project. The Chacoan peccary, classified as Endangered by the IUCN, was rediscovered in 1972 after first being known from fossils. Camino’s research has highlighted the insufficiency of protected areas in conserving threatened and endemic species like the Chacoan peccary. She found that with current rates of deforestation, the species could be extinct in the wild before 2051. She also discovered that indigenous peoples’ recognized land rights in the Dry Chaco region act as barriers to deforestation, with at least 44% of remaining forests located in these areas. Camino emphasizes the importance of appropriate dog management and hunting practices for the coexistence of locals, including the Wichí and Criollo people, with the peccary.
D’Elia’s research on the Northern Pudu and Camino’s work on the Chacoan peccary highlight the crucial role of biologists in South America in studying and conserving the diverse wildlife of the region. While challenges exist in terms of global trends in scientific research, D’Elia notes that taxonomic and systematic studies of South American mammals are primarily conducted by colleagues within the subcontinent. This stands in contrast to other regions of the Global South, such as Africa, where research is often led by scientists from the Global North. By focusing on indigenous lands and engaging local communities in conservation efforts, researchers like Camino are working towards long-term conservation of endangered species and their habitats. Their work underscores the importance of collaboration and cooperation in preserving the rich biodiversity of South America for future generations.
