Unusual Morphological and Behavioral Traits in Abrocoma (Rodentia: Abrocomidae) from Argentina

• Published in: Journal of mammalogy Vol. 77; no. 3; pp. 891 - 897
• Main Authors: Braun, Janet K., Mares, Michael A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Provo, UT American Society of Mammalogists 01-08-1996; Brigham Young University, Department of Zoology; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal morphology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biological taxonomies; Cliffs; Dentures; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Mammalia; Mammalogy; Mammals; Natural history; Plants; Teeth; Vertebrata; South America; Argentina; America; Oral cavity; Vertebrata; Tongue; Mammalia; Morphology; Rodentia; Rocks; Habitat; Crack
• ISSN: 0022-2372; 1545-1542
• DOI: 10.2307/1382695

We report a series of unusual morphological and ecological observations for a specimen of Abrocoma vaccarum, a member of the South American caviomorph family, Abrocomidae. The specimen, collected in Mendoza Province, Argentina, has buccal epidermal denticles, or false teeth, in the midline of the mouth and a tongue with a horny pad. The animal also seems to store a watery liquid subcutaneously around the cranium, perhaps enhancing the broad-headed appearance of the species. A. vaccarum inhabit fissures in rock cliff faces and form remarkable latrines that likely are highly persistent over time. These and other features indicate that this species is a highly unusual rock specialist.