Cricetidae
Author
Don E. Wilson
Author
Russell A. Mittermeier
Author
Thomas E. Lacher, Jr
text
2017
2017-11-30
Lynx Edicions
Barcelona
Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II
204
535
book chapter
80832
10.5281/zenodo.6707142
ab66b2b7-9544-4411-bf61-5bc3651d7bca
978-84-16728-04-6
6707142
342.
Northern Andean Water Mouse
Chibchanomys trichotis
French:
Ichthyomys chibchan
/
German:
Nordliche Andenwassermaus
/
Spanish:
Raton de agua septentrional
Other common names:
Chibchan Ichthyomyine
,
Chibchan Water Mouse
Taxonomy.
Ichthyomys trichotis Thomas, 1897,
“W.
Cundinamarca
, in low country near to
Magdalena
R[iver,
Colombia
].”
Chibchanomys trichotis
1s the type species of the genus. Monotypic.
Distribution.
E Andes Range in extreme SW Venezuela and NC Colombia.
Descriptive notes.
Head-body 113-125 mm, tail 115-133 mm, ear 6-10 mm, hindfoot 30-33 mm; weight 35-50 g. Dorsum of the Northern Andean Water Mouse is dull gray or black, contrasting pale gray venter. Tail is longer than headbody length. There are no supraorbital vibrissae, and pinnae are hidden in fur of head. Manus has five separate plantar pads. Pes has well-developed fringe of stiff, silvery hair, and claw of pedalfifth digit extends beyond first interphalangeal joint of fourth digit.
Habitat.
Small mountain streams bordered by cloud forest at of 2400-2900 m.
Food and Feeding.
The Northern Andean Water Mouse eats aquatic insects, including larval beetles (
Scirtidae
=
Helodidae
), larval crane flies (
Tipulidae
), larval caddisflies (
Leptoceridae
), and nymphs of mayflies (
Leptophlebiidae
and
Tricorythidae
) and stoneflies (
Perlidae
).
Breeding.
An adult Northern Andean Water Mouse trapped in middle of dry season (January) had a single near-term embryo.
Activity patterns.
The Northern Andean Water Mouse is semi-aquatic and probably nocturnal.
Movements, Home range and Social organization.
No information.
Status and Conservation.
Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. This classification 1s due to lack of recent information on extent of occurrence, threats, status, and ecological requirements of the Northern Andean Water Mouse.
Bibliography.
Gbmez-Laverde et al. (2008), Jenkins & Barnett (1997), Thomas (1897b), Voss (1988, 2015b).