Thomasomys_auricularis

<i>Thomasomys auricularis</i>

Thomasomys auricularis

Species of rodent

Thomasomys auricularis commonly known as the red Andean thomasomys[3] is a species of rodent in the genus Thomasomys found in the western Andes of southwestern Ecuador.

Quick Facts Thomasomys auricularis, Conservation status ...

Taxonomy

Although described in 1923 by Harold Elmer Anthony,[4] T. auricularis was treated as synonym or subspecies of Thomasomys pyrrhonotus until they were identified as a separate species in 2003 and officially recognized in Mammal Species of the World (2005).[5][6]

Description

Thomasomys auricularis is medium in size for its genus, with a head-body length of 138 to 155 millimetres (5.4 to 6.1 in). It is characterized by its relatively long tail, moderately long hindfoot, large skull, and large, inflated auditory bullae. Initially it was compared to the similar looking T. aureus and T. pyrrhonotus but has a few distinguishing characteristics. The skull is smaller than T. aureus. The tail is longer than T. pyrrhonotus. The auditory bullae is larger T. aureus but comparatively smaller than T. pyrrhonotus.[6]

Distribution

The species occurs in Polylepis forest within the páramo and montane forests primarily in region 6 and 7 of Ecuador, at medium and high elevations of 2,330 to 4,000 metres (7,640 to 13,120 ft).[6]

There is a distinct population in Cañar that potentially may be a subspecies or separate species.[6]

Status

Thomasomys auricularis is listed as data deficient by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in due to a lack of general knowledge.

References

  1. [1]
    IUCN (2016-07-11). Thomasomys auricularis: Barriga, C. & Pacheco, V.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T96790651A96790656 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2019-1.rlts.t96790651a96790656.en.
  2. [2]
    Anthony, H. E. (Harold Elmer); Ecuador (1920–1924), Anthony-Tate Expeditions to (1923). "Preliminary report on Ecuadorean mammals. No. 3". American Museum Novitates. 55.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. [3]
    "ASM Mammal Diversity Database". www.mammaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  4. [4]
    American Museum of Natural History; History, American Museum of Natural (1921). American Museum novitates. Vol. 37–75. New York: American Museum of Natural History.
  5. [5]
    Tirira S., Diego (2007). Mamíferos del Ecuador: guía de campo. Publicación especial. Quito: Ediciones Murciélago Blanco. ISBN 978-9978-44-651-5. OCLC 166260961.
  6. [6]
    Pacheco, Víctor; Patton, James L.; Pardiñas, Ulyses F. J.; D'Elía, Guillermo (2015). Mammals of South America, Volume 2: Rodents. Chicago (Ill.): University of Chicago press. pp. 630–632. ISBN 978-0-226-16957-6.


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