Abrothrix olivaceus
| Abrothrix olivaceus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Genus: | Abrothrix |
| Species: | A. olivaceus |
| Binomial name | |
|
Abrothrix olivaceus (Waterhouse, 1837) |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Akodon mansoensis |
|
Akodon mansoensis
Akodon olivaceus
Akodon xanthorhinus
Abrothrix olivaceus, also known as the olive grass mouse or olive akodont, is a species of rodent in the genus Abrothrix of family Cricetidae. It is found from northern Chile into southern Chile and Argentina, including the islands of Tierra del Fuego. It is prone to large swings in population size.
Abrothrix olivaceus has had a complex history in both of the genera Akodon and Abrothrix, and includes at least 27 synonyms. A few, including markhami, mansoensis, and xanthorhinus have been viewed as valid species until recent years, and several subspecies are still recognized, including Abrothrix olivaceus markhami.
The olive grass mouse is a small rodent with a total length of about 17 cm (6.7 in). The upper parts are greyish-brown, sometimes slightly yellowish around the snout, and the underparts are pale to mid-grey.
This species is found in northern and central Chile and the westernmost fringes of Argentina, southern Chile and Patagonia, including the larger offshore islands and the islands of Tierra del Fuego. Its habitat varies; in Patagonia it inhabits arid bushy steppes; further north it is found in the forests of Nothofagus, Saxegothaea and bamboo; elsewhere it occurs in tussocky grassland, marshes and wet meadows.
The olive grass mouse is mostly diurnal. In grassy habitats, it creates runways and makes a nest of grasses in a tussock, among roots or under a rock. It can climb and also dig, and in Chile it sometimes occupies burrows made by other mammals such as the coruro (Spalacopus cyanus). It feeds on berries, seeds, shoots, leaves, fungi and small invertebrates. It breeds in spring and summer and litter sizes average five young. Under favourable conditions, and in El Niño years, populations can increase dramatically. This mouse is preyed on by barn owls (Tyto tyto) and lesser horned owls (Bubo magellanicus), various other birds and foxes.
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Wikipedia