Bennett's chinchilla rat (Abrocoma bennettii) is a species of chinchilla rat in the family Abrocomidae.[2] It is found only in Chile where its habitat is Mediterranean-type scrub on the western side of the Andes. The IUCN has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Bennett's chinchilla rat is the largest species in the genus, with an average head-and-body length of 206 mm (8 in) and a tail about 80% of this. As with other members of the genus, the fur is long, dense and soft, and the ears prominent and rounded. The feet are broad but short, with four toes on the front feet and five on the hind; the small, nail-like claws are hidden by tufts of stiff bristles.[3]
The dorsal pelage is dark brown tinged with grey, slightly paler on the flanks, and the hairs on the underparts have dark grey bases and pale grey tips; this gives them a frosted appearance and distinguishes this species from other members of the genus which have pale underparts. The tail is well-haired and a uniform colour. The dorsal surfaces of both fore and hind feet are clad in whitish fur while the undersurfaces are pigmented but un-furred. A sternal gland is present on the chest and is indicated by a patch of white hairs in some individuals.[3]
Ecologyedit
The species is nocturnal and lives in a burrow. It often shares pre-existing burrows with the common degu (Octodon degus), the Chilean rock rat (Aconaemys fuscus) or the long-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera).[4] Alternatively it digs its own burrow, often under boulders. It is an efficient climber on both rocks and bushes, and it feeds on shoots and leaves, grasses and seeds.[4]
Statusedit
A. bennettii has an extensive range in Chile on the western slopes of the Andes where it is found at altitudes up to about 2,000 m (6,600 ft). The habitat is being degraded by conversion to agricultural land and by mining, but this chinchilla rat is present in several protected areas and any downward trend in populations is slow, so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".[1]
Referencesedit
^ abRoach, N. (2016). "Abrocoma bennettii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T42656A22182459. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T42656A22182459.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
^Woods, C.A.; Kilpatrick, C.W. (2005). "Infraorder Hystricognathi". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 1574. ISBN978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
^ abEisenberg, John F.; Redford, Kent H. (1992). Mammals of the Neotropics, Volume 2: The Southern Cone: Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay. University of Chicago Press. pp. 384–385. ISBN978-0-226-70682-5.
Further readingedit
Gallardo, Milton; Kirsch, John (March 2001). "Molecular relationships among Octodontidae (Mammalia: Rodentia: Caviomorpha)". Journal of Mammalian Evolution. 8 (1): 73–89. doi:10.1023/A:1011345000786. S2CID 24884119.
External linksedit
Media related to Abrocoma bennettii at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Abrocoma bennettii at Wikispecies
December 15, 2023
bennett, chinchilla, abrocoma, bennettii, species, chinchilla, family, abrocomidae, found, only, chile, where, habitat, mediterranean, type, scrub, western, side, andes, iucn, assessed, conservation, status, being, least, concern, conservation, statusleast, co. Bennett s chinchilla rat Abrocoma bennettii is a species of chinchilla rat in the family Abrocomidae 2 It is found only in Chile where its habitat is Mediterranean type scrub on the western side of the Andes The IUCN has assessed its conservation status as being of least concern Bennett s chinchilla ratConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder RodentiaFamily AbrocomidaeGenus AbrocomaSpecies A bennettiiBinomial nameAbrocoma bennettiiWaterhouse 1837 Contents 1 Description 2 Ecology 3 Status 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksDescription editBennett s chinchilla rat is the largest species in the genus with an average head and body length of 206 mm 8 in and a tail about 80 of this As with other members of the genus the fur is long dense and soft and the ears prominent and rounded The feet are broad but short with four toes on the front feet and five on the hind the small nail like claws are hidden by tufts of stiff bristles 3 The dorsal pelage is dark brown tinged with grey slightly paler on the flanks and the hairs on the underparts have dark grey bases and pale grey tips this gives them a frosted appearance and distinguishes this species from other members of the genus which have pale underparts The tail is well haired and a uniform colour The dorsal surfaces of both fore and hind feet are clad in whitish fur while the undersurfaces are pigmented but un furred A sternal gland is present on the chest and is indicated by a patch of white hairs in some individuals 3 Ecology editThe species is nocturnal and lives in a burrow It often shares pre existing burrows with the common degu Octodon degus the Chilean rock rat Aconaemys fuscus or the long tailed chinchilla Chinchilla lanigera 4 Alternatively it digs its own burrow often under boulders It is an efficient climber on both rocks and bushes and it feeds on shoots and leaves grasses and seeds 4 Status editA bennettii has an extensive range in Chile on the western slopes of the Andes where it is found at altitudes up to about 2 000 m 6 600 ft The habitat is being degraded by conversion to agricultural land and by mining but this chinchilla rat is present in several protected areas and any downward trend in populations is slow so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of least concern 1 References edit a b Roach N 2016 Abrocoma bennettii IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T42656A22182459 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 2 RLTS T42656A22182459 en Retrieved 13 November 2021 Woods C A Kilpatrick C W 2005 Infraorder Hystricognathi In Wilson D E Reeder D M eds Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed Johns Hopkins University Press p 1574 ISBN 978 0 8018 8221 0 OCLC 62265494 a b Patton J L Emmons L H 9 March 2015 Patton J L Pardinas U F J D Elia G eds Mammals of South America Volume 2 Rodents University of Chicago Press pp 806 810 ISBN 978 0 226 16960 6 OCLC 921432000 a b Eisenberg John F Redford Kent H 1992 Mammals of the Neotropics Volume 2 The Southern Cone Chile Argentina Uruguay Paraguay University of Chicago Press pp 384 385 ISBN 978 0 226 70682 5 Further reading editGallardo Milton Kirsch John March 2001 Molecular relationships among Octodontidae Mammalia Rodentia Caviomorpha Journal of Mammalian Evolution 8 1 73 89 doi 10 1023 A 1011345000786 S2CID 24884119 External links edit nbsp Media related to Abrocoma bennettii at Wikimedia Commons nbsp Data related to Abrocoma bennettii at Wikispecies Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bennett 27s chinchilla rat amp oldid 1121905891, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
