Cuscomys
| Cuscomys | |
|---|---|
| |
| Illustration of Cuscomys oblativus | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Abrocomidae |
| Genus: | Cuscomys Emmons, 1999 |
| Species | |
Cuscomys is a genus of rodents found in the Andes of Cusco in southern Peru. These relatively large chinchilla rats are dark grey with a distinct white line running from the crown to the nose. The genus was coined in 1999 when C. ashaninka was scientifically described,[1] but later it was discovered that C. oblativus, a species traditionally placed in the genus Abrocoma, actually belonged in Cuscomys. They are very poorly known, as C. ashaninka only is known from the holotype,[2] while C. oblativus usually has been considered extinct, as it was only known from remains found in 1912, buried alongside people in ancient Inca tombs at the Machu Picchu ruins.[3] However, photos of a rodent taken at the ruins in late 2009 likely show this species.[4] It is unclear if the Cuscomys truly are extremely rare, as they may be easily overlooked due to their remote distributions and arboreal habits.[1]
Species
[edit]- Cuscomys ashaninka – Asháninka Arboreal Chinchilla Rat
- Cuscomys oblativus – Machu Picchu Arboreal Chinchilla Rat
References
[edit]- ^ a b Emmons, L. H. (1999). A new genus and species of abrocomid rodent from Peru (Rodentia: Abrocomidae). American Museum Novitates 3279: 1-14.
- ^ Vivar, E. (2016). "Cuscomys ashaninka". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136466A22182204. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136466A22182204.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ Roach, N. (2016). "Cuscomys oblativa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136658A22182152. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136658A22182152.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ Castillo, G. M. (2009). (in Spanish) Detectan en Cusco a roedor declarado extinto. El Comercio (Peru). 12 August 2009.
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