Abrothrix illuteus

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Abrothrix illuteus
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Sigmodontinae
Genus: Abrothrix
Species:
A. illuteus
Binomial name
Abrothrix illuteus
Thomas, 1925
Synonyms

Akodon illuteus

Abrothrix illuteus, also known as the gray akodont, [2] gray grass mouse, [1] or gray soft-haired mouse, [3] is a species of small rodent in the genus Abrothrix of family Cricetidae. It is found only in northwestern Argentina. [2]

Contents

Description

The dorsal surface of Abrothrix illuteus is a uniform olive-gray in colour with tufts of white hairs on the chin and white bases to the hairs in the inguinal area. The ventral surface is ashy-gray. The hair is soft and long and the short tail is well-covered with hair. The feet are large, have claws of the same size on fore and hind feet, and have naked soles. The skull is robust with a long muzzle. [3]

Distribution and habitat

Abrothrix illuteus is found at moderate elevations in Catamarca Province and Tucumán Province, in northwestern Argentina, on the eastern flanks of the Andes at elevations between about 700 and 2,500 m (2,300 and 8,200 ft). Its presence at higher altitudes in the Nevados del Aconquija mountains on the border between the two provinces requires confirmation. Its typical habitat is moist forests of Podocarpus parlatorei and Alnus acuminata on steep hillsides. At higher elevations it inhabits areas with rough grasses and bushes alongside streams. [3]

Ecology

In a research study into the diet of the barn owl (Tyto alba) in Tucumán Province, this mouse was the second most frequently found item. [3]

Status

Although the population size and abundance of this mouse is unclear, it has a large range and is present in some protected areas, so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern". The chief threats it faces are likely to be from logging, wildfires and cattle grazing. [1]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Euryoryzomys nitidus</i> Species of rodent

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Abrothrix lanosus, also known as the woolly grass mouse or woolly akodont, is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in southern Argentina and Chile. It was previously classified in the genus Akodon rather than Abrothrix.

<i>Abrothrix longipilis</i> Species of rodent

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Abrothrix olivacea, also known as the olive grass mouse or olive akodont, is a species of rodent in the genus Abrothrix of family Cricetidae. It is found from northern Chile into southern Chile and Argentina, including the islands of Tierra del Fuego. It is prone to large swings in population size.

<i>Abrothrix sanborni</i> Species of rodent

Abrothrix sanborni, also known as Sanborn's grass mouse or Sanborn's akodont, is a species of rodent in the genus Abrothrix of family Cricetidae. It is found in southern Argentina and Chile, but may not be distinct from A. longipilis.

<i>Akodon spegazzinii</i> Rodent in the family Cricetidae found in northwestern Argentina

Akodon spegazzinii, also known as Spegazzini's akodont or Spegazzini's grass mouse, is a rodent in the genus Akodon found in northwestern Argentina. It occurs in grassland and forest at 400 to 3,500 m above sea level. After the species was first named in 1897, several other names were given to various populations now included in A. spegazzinii. They are now all recognized as part of a single, widespread and variable species. Akodon spegazzinii is related to Akodon boliviensis and other members of the A. boliviensis species group. It reproduces year-round. Because it is widely distributed and common, Akodon spegazzinii is listed as "least concern" on the IUCN Red List.

The northern grass mouse, or northern akodont, is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago.

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Abrothrix andina, also known as the Andean Altiplano mouse or Andean akodont, is a species of rodent in the genus Abrothrix of family Cricetidae. It is found in the Altiplano habitat of the Andes from central Peru through Bolivia, south to Argentina and Chile.

Abrothrix jelskii, also known as Jelski's Altiplano mouse, Jelski's grass mouse, or the ornate akodont, is a species of rodent in the genus Abrothrix of family Cricetidae. It is found in the altiplano habitat of the Andes from central Peru through Bolivia into northwestern Argentina. Populations classified under A. jelskii include more than one species.

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Oligoryzomys destructor, also known as Tschudi's colilargo or the destructive pygmy rice rat, is a species of rodent in the genus Oligoryzomys of family Cricetidae. It is found along the eastern Andes from southern Colombia, through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia into northern Argentina. Its karyotype has 2n = 60 and FNa = 76.

<i>Oligoryzomys longicaudatus</i> Species of rodent

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Oligoryzomys magellanicus, also known as the Patagonian colilargo and the Magellanic pygmy rice rat, is a species of rodent in the genus Oligoryzomys of the family Cricetidae. It is found in the southernmost parts of Argentina and Chile, including Tierra del Fuego and other outlying islands. Its karyotype has 2n = 54 and FNa = 66.

The southern climbing mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in Argentina and Bolivia in forested valleys and on slopes on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains.

The golden Oldfield mouse or golden thomasomys is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Both the common and genus name commemorate the British zoologist Oldfield Thomas who worked at the Natural History Museum, London and studied South American rodents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hildegarde's broad-headed mouse</span> Species of rodent

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<i>Podocarpus parlatorei</i> Species of conifer

Podocarpus parlatorei is a species of tree in the family Podocarpaceae and native to Argentina and Bolivia, where it grows on steep hillsides on the eastern flanks of the Andes. It has been harvested commercially in the past but is now protected under CITES. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its status as being "near threatened".

References

  1. 1 2 3 Teta, P. & Roach, N. (2016). "Abrothrix illutea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T735A22337589. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T735A22337589.en . Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  2. 1 2 Musser and Carleton, 2005, p. 1089
  3. 1 2 3 4 Patton, James L.; Pardiñas, Ulyses F.J.; Guillermo D’Elía (2015). Mammals of South America, Volume 2: Rodents. University of Chicago Press. pp. 109–115. ISBN   978-0-226-16957-6.

Literature cited