Chalchalero vizcacha rat

Chalchalero vizcacha rat
Conservation status

Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Octodontidae
Genus: Salinoctomys
Mares, Braun, Barquez & Diaz, 2000
Species: S. loschalchalerosorum
Binomial name
Salinoctomys loschalchalerosorum
Mares, Braun, Barquez & Diaz, 2000

The Chalchalero vizcacha rat (Salinoctomys loschalchalerosorum) is a species of caviomorph rodent in the family Octodontidae.[2] It is monotypic within the genus Salinoctomys. The species is endemic to a small area of northwestern Argentina, where it lives in shrublands bordering the salt flats of the Salinas Grandes.[1] Its diet consists of halophyte plants.[1]

It is a medium-sized rat species. Their fur is dark brown on top and white below. The tail is relatively long and ends in a black tassel. They reach a body length 14 to 16 centimeters and a tail length of 11 to 12 centimeters.[3]

The rodent is threatened by degradation of its unique habitat. It is named after an Argentine musical group, Los Chalchaleros, whose songs were popular with its discoverers.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ojeda, R. & Bidau, C. (2013). "Salinoctomys loschalchalerosorum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  2. ↑ Woods, C. A.; Kilpatrick, C. W. (2005). "Infraorder Hystricognathi". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 1573. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. ↑ Mares, M. A.; Braun, J. K.; Barquez, R. M.; Diaz, M. M. (2000). "Two new genera and species of halophytic desert mammals from isolated salt flats in Argentina". Occ. Pap. Mus. Tex. Tech. Univ. (Museum of Texas Tech University) 203 (1): 1–27. Retrieved 2012-01-11.
  4. ↑ Mares, Michael A. (1 November 2003). "Desert dreams: seeking the secret mammals of the salt pans - Naturalist at Large". Natural History.