Andean field mice

Andean field mice
Abrothrix sanborni
Systematics
Superfamily : Mice-like (Muroidea) Family : Burrowers (Cricetidae) Subfamily : Sigmodontinae Oryzomyalia Tribe : Abrotrichini Genre : Andean field mice
Scientific name
Abrothrix
Waterhouse , 1837

The Andean field mice ( Abrothrix ) are a species of rodent living in South America from the group of New World mice . They include nine types.

These rodents reach a head body length of 7 to 14 centimeters, the tail is 5 to 10 centimeters long. The weight is 15 to 60 grams. Their fur is dark gray or brown on the top, the underside is whitish or light brown. The nose or the whole face can be reddish or orange in color.

Their distribution area extends from central Peru to Tierra del Fuego . Their habitat are forests, grasslands and wetlands, they occur at heights of up to 5600 meters. Some species are known to be good at digging and building underground burrows, while others build their nests in crevices in the rock or in the roots of trees.

They are omnivores that eat insects, seeds, fruits and mushrooms. The female gives birth to one to eight young animals two to three times a year.

Systematics

There are nine types:

• the Andean field vole or common Andean field vole ( Abrothrix andinus ) is widespread from southern Peru to central Chile and Argentina .
• the Hershkovitz field mouse or Hershkovitz field mouse ( Abrothrix hershkovitzi ) inhabits islands in the extreme south of Chile.
• the gray tucuman field mouse or gray Andean field vole ( Abrothrix illuteus ) is restricted to northwestern Argentina.
• the spotted Peruvian field mouse or Jelski's Andean field vole ( Abrothrix jelskii ) lives in southern Peru, western Bolivia and northwestern Argentina.
• the woolly Andean field mouse or thick-haired field mouse ( Abrothrix lanosus ) inhabits the extreme south of Chile and Argentina.
• the long-haired Andean field mouse or long-haired field mouse ( Abrothrix longipilis ) occurs in central and southern Chile and Argentina.
• the Wellington Andean field mouse or Wellington field mouse ( Abrothrix markhami ) is restricted to the Wellington Island in southern Chile .
• the olive-colored Andean field mouse or olive-colored Chile field mouse ( Abrothrix olivaceus ) inhabits almost all of Chile and the neighboring regions of Argentina.
• the Sanborn field mouse or Sanborn field mouse ( Abrothrix sanborni ) occurs in southern Chile and Argentina.

The systematics of this genre is not undisputed. Three species, A. andinus , A. jelskii and A. olivaceus , are sometimes listed in their own genus, Chroeomys , while the rest are sometimes incorporated into Akodon .

literature

• Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
• Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .