Cuscomys

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

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]

Species

• Cuscomys ashaninka – Asháninka Arboreal Chinchilla Rat
• Cuscomys oblativus – Machu Picchu Arboreal Chinchilla Rat

References

1. ^ ^{a b} 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. Version 2010.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/136466. Retrieved 16 April 2010. 
3. ^ Pacheco, V., Zeballos, Z., Vivar E. & Dunnum, J (2008). "Cuscomys oblativa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/136658. Retrieved 16 April 2010. 
4. ^ Castillo, G. M. (2009). (Spanish) Detectan en Cusco a roedor declarado extinto. El Comercio (Peru). 12-08-2009.