Great American Interchange - North American Invasions of South America

North American Invasions of South America

Extant or extinct (†) South American taxa whose ancestors migrated out of North America (considered as including Central America):

  • Lungless salamanders (Bolitoglossa, Oedipina) – only present in northern South America
  • Ranid frogs – only present in northern South America
  • Emydid turtles (Trachemys) – only present in northern South America
  • Geoemydid turtles (Rhinoclemmys) – only present in northern South America
  • Coral snakes (Leptomicrurus, Micrurus)
  • South American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus)
  • Lanceheads (Bothrops)
  • Bushmasters (Lachesis)
  • Other pit vipers (Bothriechis schlegelii, Bothriopsis, Porthidium)
  • Small-eared shrews (Cryptotis) – only present in NW South America: Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru
  • Geomyid pocket gophers (Orthogeomys thaeleri) – one species, in Colombia
  • Heteromyid mice (Heteromys) – only present in NW South America: Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador
  • Cricetid – primarily sigmodontine – rats and mice (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae)
  • Tree squirrels (Sciurus, Microsciurus, Sciurillus)) – present in northern and central South America
  • Cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus brasiliensis, S. floridanus, S. varynaensis) – present in northern and central South America
  • Tapirs (Tapirus bairdii, T. pinchaque, T. terrestris)
  • Equids (Equus ferus, †Hippidion)
  • Peccaries (Tayassu pecari, Catagonus wagneri, Pecari tajacu, P. maximus)
  • Deer (†Antifer, Odocoileus, Blastocerus, Ozotoceros, Mazama, Pudu, Hippocamelus)
  • Camelids (Lama guanicoe, Vicugna vicugna, †Eulamaops, †Hemiauchenia, †Palaeolama)
  • †Gomphotheres (Cuvieronius hyodon, Stegomastodon waringi, S. platensis) – elephant relatives
  • Otters (Lontra, Pteronura)
  • Other mustelids (Mustelinae: Eira, Galictis, Lyncodon, Mustela)
  • Hog-nosed skunks (Conepatus chinga, C. humboldtii, C. semistriatus)
  • Procyonids (Procyon, Nasua, Nasuella, Potos, Bassaricyon, †Cyonasua, †Chapalmalania)
  • Short-faced bears (Tremarctinae: Tremarctos ornatus, †Arctotherium)
  • Wolves (†Canis gezi, †C. nehringi, †C. ambrusteri, †C. dirus)
  • Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) – only present in NW South America: Colombia, Venezuela
  • Other canids (†Duciyon, †Theriodictis, Atelocynus, Cerdocyon, Lycalopex, Chrysocyon, Speothos)
  • Small felids (Leopardus) – all 9 extant species (e.g. L. pardalis, L. wiedii)
  • Cougar (Puma concolor) and jaguarundi (P. yagouaroundi)
  • Jaguar (Panthera onca)
  • †American lion (Panthera leo atrox)
  • †Scimitar cats (Homotherium) – known so far only from Venezuela
  • †Saber-toothed cats (Smilodon gracilis, S. fatalis, S. populator)
  • Condors (Vultur gryphus, †Dryornis, †Geronogyps, †Wingegyps, †Perugyps)
  • Trogons (Trogon)

  • The camelid Vicugna vicugna

  • †Cuvieronius, a gomphothere

  • The coati Nasua nasua

  • Saber-toothed †Smilodon populator

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