Researchers Nicolás Tinoco, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador , Claudia Koch, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change , Javier E. Colmenares-Pinzón, Universidad Industrial de Santander and Jorge Brito, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad published their description of the rodent in the open access journalis a widely distributed genus of small spiny or bristly rodents that occupy habitats in eastern Panama and the northern half of South America.
However, as there are still many unexplored areas in South America and adjacent Central America , some of the currently recognized species have not been studied thoroughly, and the true diversity of the genus may be underestimated. The Chocó biogeographic region is considered one of the most diverse biodiversity hotspots in South America, but one of the least studied despite its great size . The rainforests of northwestern Ecuador have high biodiversity and endemism due to the influence of the Chocó and the Andes Mountains.and other species. Molecular analysis is also being used to assist with more accurate animal group identification.
The new species was named after Marc Hoogeslag of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, who was co-founder and leader of the International Union for Conservation of Nature – Netherlands Land Acquisition Fund, which helps local groups around the world establish new ecological reserves and conserve endangered species. The EcoMinga Foundation’s Manduriacu Reserve, home to this new species, is one of many reserves that have benefited from Hoogeslag’s program.