| Peruvian rice rat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Sigmodontinae |
| Genus: | Oreoryzomys Weksler,Percequillo, & Voss, 2006 |
| Species: | O. balneator |
| Binomial name | |
| Oreoryzomys balneator (Thomas, 1900) | |
| Synonyms | |
Oryzomys balneatorThomas, 1900 | |
Oreoryzomys balneator, also known as thePeruvian rice rat[1] orEcuadoran oryzomys,[2] is a species ofrodent in the tribeOryzomyini of familyCricetidae. It is found inEcuador and northernPeru incloud forest at elevations from 1500 to 1800 m.[1] It is theonly species in thegenusOreoryzomys, which was included inOryzomys until 2006.[3] The genus nameOreoryzomys is a combination of ορος the Greek word for "mountain" with the old genus nameOryzomys and refers to the mountainous habitat ofO. balneator. Recent research suggests thatO. balneator is not closely related toOryzomys, but instead is probably related toMicroryzomys within a clade also includingNeacomys andOligoryzomys.
The back is olive brown and the belly fur white or yellow, with a sharp separation. The ears are short. At the base of the claws on the hind feet are tufts of hair. The long tail is sometimes a little darker on the upper side than on the bottom.
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