Loxodontomys
| Loxodontomys | ||||||||||||
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Loxodontomys micropus |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Loxodontomys | ||||||||||||
| Osgood , 1947 |
Loxodontomys is agenus of rodents from the group of New World mice that lives in southern South America . It includes 2 types.
These mouse-like animals reach a head body length of 11 to 16 centimeters, the tail is 8 to 12 centimeters long. The weight is 45 to 105 grams. Their fur is gray-brown in color, with the underside being slightly lighter.
These animals live in central and southern Chile as well as southwestern Argentina . They inhabit different habitats such as grasslands and forests. They are likely to be restricted to areas with dense vegetation and occur up to 3000 meters above sea level.
They are nocturnal animals that dig their own earthworks. They also frequently climb trees. Their diet consists of flowers, mushrooms and green parts of plants.
A distinction is made between two species, Loxodontomys pikumche in the north and Loxodontomys micropus in the south of the range. L. pikumche was first described in 1998 .
Traditionally, the genus Loxodontomys is considered to be a close relative of the large ear mice ( Auliscomys ), but other studies place them in the vicinity of the rabbit rats ( Reithrodon ).
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 .