Abrothrix andina explained

Abrothrix andina, also known as the Andean Altiplano mouse or Andean akodont,^[1] is a species of rodent in the genus Abrothrix of family Cricetidae.^[2] It is found in the Altiplano habitat of the Andes from central Peru through Bolivia, south to Argentina and Chile.^[3]

Taxonomy

Abrothrix andina is a member of the order Rodentia and family Cricetidae with the genus Abrothrix.^[4]

Habitat

Abrothrix andina is a small mammal that is active throughout the Andes,^[5] and has been found in altitudes of 4,620 m.^[6] The environment consists of small shrubs and is categorizes as having dry summers and snowy winters.

Biology

Diet

Abrothrix andina primarily eats small shrubs during the summer and shrubs and insects during the winters^[7] During extreme temperature changes, the gut morphology changes and energy expenditure changes.For example, their metabolic rate may increase by 36.6% during the winter. Their body mass has shown to fluctuate throughout the seasons, as well. Their diet has shown behaviors that exhibit hyperphagy.

Behavior

Abrothrix andina is active throughout the year despite seasonal changes.

References

1. Musser and Carleton, 2005, p. 1088
2. Seasonal Changes in Energy Expenditure and Digestive Tract of Abrothrix andinus (Cricetidae) in the Andes Range . 30152641 . Bozinovic . Francisco . Novoa . F. Fernando . Veloso . Claudio . Physiological Zoology . 1990 . 63 . 6 . 1216–1231 . 10.1086/physzool.63.6.30152641 . 85812233 .
3. Musser and Carleton, 2005, p. 1089
4. Web site: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019-11-20.
5. Bozinovic. Francisco. Novoa. F. Fernando. Veloso. Claudio. 1990. Seasonal Changes in Energy Expenditure and Digestive Tract of Abrothrix andinus (Cricetidae) in the Andes Range. Physiological Zoology. 63. 6. 1216–1231. 0031-935X. 30152641. 10.1086/physzool.63.6.30152641. 85812233 .
6. https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2005265117 Discovery of the world’s highest-dwelling mammal
7. Seasonal changes in glucose and tyrosine uptake of Abrothrix andinus (Cricetidae) inhabiting the andes range . 10.1016/0300-9629(91)90029-C . 1991 . Bozinovic . Francisco . Iturri . Sergio J. . Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology . 99 . 3 . 437–439 .

Literature cited

• Musser, G.G. and Carleton, M.D. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. Pp. 894–1531 in Wilson, D.E. and Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: a taxonomic and geographic reference. 3rd ed. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols., 2142 pp. 
• Pardinas, U. and D'Elia, G. 2008. . In IUCN. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on January 12, 2010.