Argentine swamp rat

Argentine swamp rat
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Sigmodontinae
Genus: Scapteromys
Species:
S. aquaticus
Binomial name
Scapteromys aquaticus
Thomas, 1920

The Argentine swamp rat (Scapteromys aquaticus) is a semiaquatic rodent species from South America.[2] It is found in northeastern Argentina and Paraguay, where it lives in freshwater marshes and along the southern coast of the Río de la Plata estuary, as well as in woodland.[1] It is characterized by having stiff hairs on its otherwise naked tail, which are believed to help the animal swim. S. aquaticus is similar in build to members of the genus Rattus. "[It] has a relatively larger head, a stouter body, larger feet, and a relatively longer tail." The pelage along its back is "long and glossy" varying from brown to dark brown. It can have a grayish wash in some individuals. "The sides have a yellowish cast." The pelage in the abdominal region is typically an off white color. The forefeet are large for use in swimming and digging. All digits, including the pollex are equipped with a claw.[3] Its karyotype has 2n = 32.[2]

  1. ^ a b D'Elia, G.; Pardinas, U. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Scapteromys aquaticus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136549A115209794. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T136549A22389549.en.
  2. ^ a b Musser, G. G.; Carleton, M. D. (2005). "Superfamily Muroidea". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 1172. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. ^ Eisenberg, John F.; Redford, Kent H. (May 15, 2000). Mammals of the Neotropics, Volume 3: The Central Neotropics: Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil. University of Chicago Press. pp. 440–441. ISBN 978-0-226-19542-1. OCLC 493329394.