Aquatic rat
Anotomys leander Temporal range: Recent | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Family: | Cricetidae |
Tribe: | Ichthyomyini |
Genus: | Anotomys Thomas, 1906 |
Species: | A. leander |
Binomial name | |
Anotomys leander Thomas, 1906 | |
Synonyms | |
Rheomys leander (Thomas, 1906) |
The aquatic rat, Ecuador fish-eating rat, or fish-eating rat (Anotomys leander) is a South American species of semiaquatic rodent in the family Cricetidae.[2] It is the only species in the genus Anotomys.[3] The specific name leander was not explained in the original species description but probably refers to the Greek mythical figure Leander from the story of Hero and Leander.[4]
Its karyotype has been reported to have 2n = 92,[2] but this number apparently actually came from a specimen of Ichthyomys pittieri.[5]
A. leander is endemic to Ecuador and known from the northern part of the country at elevations of 2,860–4,000 m (9,380–13,120 ft) above sea level. This poorly known and rare species occurs along swift, cold streams bordered by subalpine rainforest or grassy paramo. It is threatened by habitat loss and water pollution.[1]
References
- 1 2 Tirira, D.; Boada, C. (2010). "Anotomys leander". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2010: e.T1564A4938565. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-2.RLTS.T1564A4938565.en. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
- 1 2 Musser, G.G.; Carleton, M.D. (2005). "Superfamily Muroidea". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 1102. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ↑ "Anotomys Thomas, 1906". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
- ↑ Bo Beolens; Michael Watkins; Michael Grayson (7 October 2009). The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. JHU Press. p. 238. ISBN 978-0-8018-9533-3.
- ↑ Schmid, M.; Fernández-Badillo, A.; Feichtinger, W.; Steinlein, C.; Roman, J. I. (1988). "On the highest chromosome number in mammals". Cytogenetic and Genome Research. 49 (4): 305–8. doi:10.1159/000132683. PMID 3073914.