Patagonian chinchilla mouse


The Patagonian chinchilla mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It was first described by George Robert Waterhouse in 1839. It is found in Tierra del Fuego and neighboring areas of southernmost Argentina and Chile.

Taxonomy

Euneomys chinchilloides is the current name for the Patagonian chinchilla mouse.

Distribution and habitat

Euneomys chinchilloides can be found in the Tierra del Fuego, and are generally widespread in mainland Patagonia. They are also fairly abundant in the Sierras de Tecka, a region situated in the Andes mountains. Their habitat consists of scree that is windswept and bare.

Life history

Morphology

The genus Euneomys are described as having medium to large body size. They have short tails and dense fur. Their molars are hypsodont.
Measurements of the body length, including the head, of Euneomys chinchilloides ranges from 103–143 mm. Tail length ranges from 62–90 mm. Hindfoot length ranges from 25–30 mm. The length of the ear ranges from 18.5-22.2 mm.

Ecology

The genus Euneomys are herbivorous and nocturnal.

Genetics

Euneomys chinchilloides have 34 chromosomes, although some specimens exhibited an extra pair of chromosomes.