The Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat (Abrocoma shistacea) is a species of chinchilla rat. Found only in Argentina, this species was once thought to be part of Abrocoma cinerea. In 2002, Braun and Mares from the University of Oklahoma confirmed it to be a separate species.[2]
The Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat is a smallish, rat-like animal, with a head-body length of about 16 cm (6.3 in), a tail about 10 cm (3.9 in) long, and an average adult body weight of 174 g (6.1 oz). It has drab greyish fur, which is paler on the underside, and has a faint stripe of darker fur running down the middle of the back and along the upper surface of the tail. The upper surfaces of the feet are covered with white fur, and there is also a distinct patch of white fur on the chest, covering a scent gland.[3] The lower surfaces of the feet have thick pads with leathery tubercles, which help the animal gain traction on bare rock.[4]
Distribution and habitat
The species is known only from the Sierra del Tontal, in San Juan Province of north-western Argentina.[1] The region is a rocky desert, dominated by shrubs and cacti, and the animal has been found between elevations of 1,100 and 2,900 m (3,600 and 9,500 ft).[2] No subspecies are recognised.
Biology and behaviour
The Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat is thought to be primarily diurnal, being most active in the early morning, and live in groups of three to four individuals. They shelter in rocky crevices on east-facing slopes, and deposit their faeces in large latrines.[5] They are herbivorous, and feed almost entirely on jarilla bushes, being resistant to the toxic compounds produced by those plants.[3] Like the related Punta de Vacas chinchilla rat,[6] the Sierra del Tontal species has a pair of "false teeth" in the mid-line of its palate, which apparently help with food manipulation and are aided by a horny pad on the tongue. These false teeth arise from the epithelium of the mouth, and are not preserved in skeletal remains of the animal.[3]
Nothing is known of their reproduction, although other chinchilla rats give birth to litters of up to six pups twice a year.[3]
References
^ abRoach, N. (2016). "Abrocoma shistacea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136525A22182532. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136525A22182532.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
^ abBraun, Janet K.; Mares, Michael A. (February 2002). "Systematics of the Abrocoma cinerea species complex (Rodentia: Abrocomidae), with a description of a new species of Abrocoma". Journal of Mammalogy. 83 (1): 1–19. doi:10.1644/1545-1542(2002)083<0001:SOTACS>2.0.CO;2.
^Mares, M.A. & Lacher, T.E. (1987). Genoways, Hugh H (ed.). "Ecological, morphological and behavioral convergence in rock-dwelling mammals". Current Mammalogy. 1: 307–348. doi:10.1007/978-1-4757-9909-5. ISBN978-1-4757-9911-8. S2CID 44621903.
^Taraborelli, P.; et al. (June 2011). "New eco-morphological-behavioural approach of the chinchilla rats in the pre-Andean foothills of the Monte Desert (Argentina)". Journal of Natural History. 45 (27–28): 1745–1758. doi:10.1080/00222933.2011.560725. S2CID 85741987.
^Braun, J.K. & Mares, M.A. (August 1996). "Unusual Morphological and Behavioral Traits in Abrocoma (Rodentia: Abrocomidae) from Argentina". Journal of Mammalogy. 77 (3): 891–897. doi:10.2307/1382695. JSTOR 1382695.
January 25, 2023
sierra, tontal, chinchilla, abrocoma, shistacea, species, chinchilla, found, only, argentina, this, species, once, thought, part, abrocoma, cinerea, 2002, braun, mares, from, university, oklahoma, confirmed, separate, species, conservation, statusleast, concer. The Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat Abrocoma shistacea is a species of chinchilla rat Found only in Argentina this species was once thought to be part of Abrocoma cinerea In 2002 Braun and Mares from the University of Oklahoma confirmed it to be a separate species 2 Sierra del Tontal chinchilla ratConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder RodentiaFamily AbrocomidaeGenus AbrocomaSpecies A shistaceaBinomial nameAbrocoma shistaceaThomas 1921SynonymsAbrocoma cinerea shistacea Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Biology and behaviour 4 ReferencesDescription EditThe Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat is a smallish rat like animal with a head body length of about 16 cm 6 3 in a tail about 10 cm 3 9 in long and an average adult body weight of 174 g 6 1 oz It has drab greyish fur which is paler on the underside and has a faint stripe of darker fur running down the middle of the back and along the upper surface of the tail The upper surfaces of the feet are covered with white fur and there is also a distinct patch of white fur on the chest covering a scent gland 3 The lower surfaces of the feet have thick pads with leathery tubercles which help the animal gain traction on bare rock 4 Distribution and habitat EditThe species is known only from the Sierra del Tontal in San Juan Province of north western Argentina 1 The region is a rocky desert dominated by shrubs and cacti and the animal has been found between elevations of 1 100 and 2 900 m 3 600 and 9 500 ft 2 No subspecies are recognised Biology and behaviour EditThe Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat is thought to be primarily diurnal being most active in the early morning and live in groups of three to four individuals They shelter in rocky crevices on east facing slopes and deposit their faeces in large latrines 5 They are herbivorous and feed almost entirely on jarilla bushes being resistant to the toxic compounds produced by those plants 3 Like the related Punta de Vacas chinchilla rat 6 the Sierra del Tontal species has a pair of false teeth in the mid line of its palate which apparently help with food manipulation and are aided by a horny pad on the tongue These false teeth arise from the epithelium of the mouth and are not preserved in skeletal remains of the animal 3 Nothing is known of their reproduction although other chinchilla rats give birth to litters of up to six pups twice a year 3 References Edit a b Roach N 2016 Abrocoma shistacea IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T136525A22182532 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 2 RLTS T136525A22182532 en Retrieved 20 November 2021 a b Braun Janet K Mares Michael A February 2002 Systematics of the Abrocoma cinerea species complex Rodentia Abrocomidae with a description of a new species of Abrocoma Journal of Mammalogy 83 1 1 19 doi 10 1644 1545 1542 2002 083 lt 0001 SOTACS gt 2 0 CO 2 a b c d Taraborelli P A et al August 2015 Abrocoma schistacea Rodentia Abrocomidae Mammalian Species 47 921 45 50 doi 10 1093 mspecies sev004 Mares M A amp Lacher T E 1987 Genoways Hugh H ed Ecological morphological and behavioral convergence in rock dwelling mammals Current Mammalogy 1 307 348 doi 10 1007 978 1 4757 9909 5 ISBN 978 1 4757 9911 8 S2CID 44621903 Taraborelli P et al June 2011 New eco morphological behavioural approach of the chinchilla rats in the pre Andean foothills of the Monte Desert Argentina Journal of Natural History 45 27 28 1745 1758 doi 10 1080 00222933 2011 560725 S2CID 85741987 Braun J K amp Mares M A August 1996 Unusual Morphological and Behavioral Traits in Abrocoma Rodentia Abrocomidae from Argentina Journal of Mammalogy 77 3 891 897 doi 10 2307 1382695 JSTOR 1382695 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat amp oldid 1121366769, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
