Necromys

Necromys
Systematics
Superfamily : Mice-like (Muroidea) Family : Burrowers (Cricetidae) Subfamily : Sigmodontinae Oryzomyalia Tribe : Akodontini Genre : Necromys
Scientific name
Necromys
Ameghino , 1889

Necromys (often referred to as Bolomys is performed) a in South America living rodent species from the group of New world . It is closely related to the South American field mice ( Akodon ) and are sometimes classified as their subgenus. The genus includes ten species.

These rodents are small, mouse-like animals. They reach a head body length of 9 to 13 centimeters, in addition there is a 6 to 9 centimeter long tail. The weight is around 20 to 50 grams. Their fur is light brown in color, their backs are slightly darker and their belly is lighter. The paws are broad and show adaptations to a digging way of life.

These animals of this genus are common in different regions of South America. They inhabit the Andes , the Altiplano , the Gran Chaco and the Brazilian lowlands. The way of life of only one species, Necromys lasiurus , is better known. This species is nocturnal and lives in underground, self-dug burrows. They are omnivores, consuming both insects and plant material. Several times a year, the female brings about 3 to 6 young animals after a gestation period of 21 to 23 days.

Systematics

There are ten types:

• Necromys amoenus lives in the Altiplano of Peru and Bolivia.
• Necromys benefactus is known from isolated regions in northern Argentina.
• Necromys lilloi inhabits the Chaco and northwestern Argentina.
• Necromys lactens lives in the highlands of Bolivia and Argentina.
• Necromys lasiurus lives in Brazil, Peru and Argentina. The exact distribution limits are unknown.
• Necromys lenguarum is native to the Gran Chaco of Bolivia, Paraguay and northern Argentina.
• Necromys obscurus lives in Uruguay and eastern Argentina.
• Necromys punctulatus is known from Ecuador and Colombia. The exact distribution area is unclear.
• Necromys temchuki lives in northeast Argentina.
• Necromys urichi is distributed from Venezuela to northern Brazil and is also found on the island of Trinidad.

The two species N. obscurus and N. temchuki are sometimes listed in a separate genus, Cabreramys . The genus name Necromys comes from an extinct animal, Necromys conifer , which was described by Florentino Ameghino in 1889 and lived in northern Argentina. The generic name Bolomys comes from Oldfield Thomas from 1916 and was applied to the recent representatives. Since the genera are identical, according to the ICZN the older name, i.e. Necromys , must be used for the animals.

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 .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ J. Pablo Jayat, Guillermo D'Elía, Pablo E. Ortiz, Pablo Teta (2016). "A new species of the rodent genus Necromys Ameghino (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae: Akodontini) from the Chaco Serrano grasslands of northwestern Argentina". Journal of Mammalogy. 97 (5): 1321-1335. doi: 10.1093 / jmammal / gyw103

Web links

• Endangerment level of the species (as Bolomys ) on the IUCN Red List