Cuscomys

Cuscomys is a genus of rodents found in the Andes of Cusco in southern Peru. These relatively large chinchilla rats are dark grey with a distinct white line running from the crown to the nose. The genus was coined in 1999 when C. ashaninka was scientifically described,[1] but later it was discovered that C. oblativus, a species traditionally placed in the genus Abrocoma, actually belonged in Cuscomys. They are very poorly known, as C. ashaninka only is known from the holotype,[2] while C. oblativus usually has been considered extinct, as it was only known from remains found in 1912, buried alongside people in ancient Inca tombs at the Machu Picchu ruins.[3] However, photos of a rodent taken at the ruins in late 2009 likely show this species.[4] It is unclear if the Cuscomys truly are extremely rare, as they may be easily overlooked due to their remote distributions and arboreal habits.[1]

Cuscomys
Illustration of Cuscomys oblativus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Abrocomidae
Genus: Cuscomys
Emmons, 1999
Species

Cuscomys ashaninka
Cuscomys oblativus

Species

References
  1. Emmons, L. H. (1999). A new genus and species of abrocomid rodent from Peru (Rodentia: Abrocomidae). American Museum Novitates 3279: 1-14.
  2. Zeballos, H. & Vivar, E. (2008). "Cuscomys ashaninka". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2010.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  3. Pacheco, V.; Zeballos, Z.; Vivar E. & Dunnum, J (2008). "Cuscomys oblativa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2010.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  4. Castillo, G. M. (2009). (in Spanish) Detectan en Cusco a roedor declarado extinto. El Comercio (Peru). 12-08-2009.


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