The Plains Viscacha Rat or Red Vizcacha Rat (Tympanoctomys barrerae) is a species of rodent in the Octodontidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Tympanoctomys. It is endemic to Argentina. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. This species of rodent is unusual because it is tetraploid. Scientists think that this species may have arisen when an ancestor (very possibly the Mountain Vizcacha Rat, Octomys mimax, chromosome count 2N=56) doubled its chromosome number, presumably by errors in mitosis or meiosis within the animal's reproductive organs.2 Research has found another closely related species Pipanacoctomys aureus which is also tetraploid.
References
- ^ Lessa, E., Ojeda, R. & Bidau, C. (2008). Tympanoctomys barrerae. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2008. Retrieved on 5 January 2009.
- ^ Gallardoa, M.H. (August 2006), "Molecular cytogenetics and allotetraploidy in the red vizcacha rat, Tympanoctomys barrerae (Rodentia, Octodontidae)", Genomics 88 (2): 214-221, doi:10.1016/j.ygeno.2006.02.010, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WG1-4JKYTJP-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=a18e9e7ecd4f6082c8579d751043661d, retrieved on 16 July 2008
- Gallardo, M.H. et al. (2004). Whole-genome duplications in South American desert rodents (Octodontidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 82, 443-451.
- Gallardo. 2006. Molecular cytogenetics and allotetraploidy in the red vizcacha rat, Tympanoctomys barrerae (Rodentia, Octodontidae) Genomics. 88:2, 214-221. doi:10.1016/j.ygeno.2006.02.010
- Mares, Braun, Barquez, and Díaz. 2000. Two new genera and species of halophytic desert mammals from isolated salt flats in Argentina. Occasional Papers, Museum of Texas Tech University 203:i+1-27.
- Wilson, D.E., and D.M. Reeder (Eds.). 2005. Mammal Species of the World, Third Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 2 Volumes, 2141 pp.
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