Loxopholis sp.

Taxonomic remarks. Two specimens (MPEG 15313 and 15815) mentioned by Ávila-Pires (1995) under ‘ Leposoma cf. percarinatum ’, and those from Balbina hydroelectric dam reservoir, Amazonas, Brazil, identified in that paper as L. guianense, represent this group. Vitt et al. (2008) present characteristics that distinguish Loxopholis sp. from Loxopholis percarinatum, which occur in sympatry. Loxopholis sp. is also partially sympatric with L. guianense close to the Pará – Amazonas state border. Pellegrino et al. (2011) recovered, in a molecular study, Loxopholis sp. (which they called Leposoma cf. osvaldoi) as closely related to L. osvaldoi . However, only one specimen of Loxopholis sp. was included in the analysis and additional studies are necessary to establish how they relate to each other.

Distribution and habitat. Loxopholis sp. is endemic to northern Brazilian Amazonia (restricted to the southern part of the Guiana region), with its distribution delimited by the Paru do Oeste, Amazon, and Negro rivers (Fig. 15). It is known from the states of Pará and Amazonas. Loxopholis sp. is terrestrial and diurnal, inhabits primary terra firme and flooded (varzea) forests, where it is found among leaf litter and fallen palm leaves (Martins 1991b—identified as L. guianense; Vitt et al. 2008; Ávila-Pires et al. 2010).