Andean caenolestid

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Andean caenolestid
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Paucituberculata
Family: Caenolestidae
Genus: Caenolestes
Species:
C. condorensis
Binomial name
Caenolestes condorensis
Albuja and Patterson, 1996
Range of C. condorensis

The Andean caenolestid (Caenolestes condorensis), also known as the Andean shrew opossum or Condor caenolestid, is a

IUCN classifies it as vulnerable
. As of 2015, the population is estimated at less than 1,000.

Taxonomy and etymology

The Andean caenolestid is one of the five members of

National Polytechnic School) in 1996 from an adult male specimen captured from Cordillera del Cóndor (Ecuador). They procured a total of three specimens.[3]

In the latter part of 20th century, scientists believed that Caenolestes is closely related to Lestoros (the

sister to Caenolestes. The cladogram below is based on this study.[7]

Gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica)

Brown four-eyed opossum (Metachirus nudicaudatus)

Incan caenolestid (Lestoros inca)

Long-nosed caenolestid (Rhyncholestes raphanurus)

Caenolestes

Northern caenolestid (C. convelatus)

Dusky caenolestid (C. fuliginosus)

Andean caenolestid (C. condorensis)

Gray-bellied caenolestid (C. caniventer)

Eastern caenolestid (C. sangay)

Caenolestid fossils date to as early as the early

type locality, Cordillera del Cóndor.[3] It is also known by the name 'Condor caenolestid'.[6]

Description

Patterson and Albuja identified the Andean caenolestid as the largest in its family. It is characterized by large, heavy canines, long rostrum (nearly 2 cm (0.79 in) long), massive skull (nearly 3.8 cm (1.5 in) long), whitish whiskers, dark brown coat, and a dark spot on the chest. The mean external measurements recorded from the three specimens were as follows: the total length was 26 cm (10 in), the weight was 48 g (1.7 oz), the tail was 13 cm (5.1 in) long, the hindfeet measured 3 cm (1.2 in) and the ears 1.8 cm (0.71 in). Sexual dimorphism is prominent, with males larger than females.[3]

Distribution and status

The Andean caenolestid is known only from Cordillera del Cóndor, which is located in the eastern

IUCN classifies it as vulnerable. As of 2015, the population is estimated at less than 1,000.[1]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T136743A22180165.en
    . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. OCLC 62265494
    .
  3. ^
    JSTOR 1382707
    .
  4. ^ Simpson, G.G. (1970). "The Argyrolagidae, extinct South American marsupials". Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 139: 1–86.
  5. ^ Marshall, L.G. (1980). "Systematics of the South American marsupial family Caenolestidae". Fieldiana: Geology. New Series. 5: 1–145.
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-0-226-28242-8
    .
  7. doi:10.1644/13-MAMM-A-018.1
    .
  8. S2CID 253944594
    .

External links
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