Delicate salt flat mouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Delicate salt flat mouse |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Salinomys
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| Species: |
delicatus
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The delicate salt flat mouse (Salinomys delicatus) is a small rodent from South America. In Spanish, it is known as 'el ratón delicado de los salares'. This mouse is the only species in its group, called Salinomys.
It lives in dry, bushy areas next to salt flats. You can find it in places like the Salinas Grandes in central western Argentina. These areas are usually around 400 meters (about 1,300 feet) above sea level. Its closest relatives are the chaco mice (Andalgalomys).
Unique Chromosomes
The delicate salt flat mouse has a very special set of chromosomes. Chromosomes are tiny structures inside cells that carry all the instructions for how an animal grows and works.
Most animals have a set number of chromosomes. But this mouse has a different number for males and females. Females have 18 chromosomes, while males have 19. This difference is due to a rare setup with its sex chromosomes.
Scientists have found that this mouse has the lowest number of chromosomes among its group of rodents, called Phyllotini. Interestingly, its close relative, Andalgalomys pearsoni, has the highest number (78) in the same group. This suggests that big changes happened to the chromosomes as these mice evolved over time.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) looks at how safe animal species are. For the delicate salt flat mouse, the IUCN says its status is "Data Deficient" (DD). This means there isn't enough information to know if it's endangered or not.
However, the IUCN notes that this mouse lives in a very specific type of habitat: salt flats. These areas are often separated into small pieces. They could be at risk from things like human activity. More research is needed to fully understand how to protect this unique mouse.
See also
In Spanish: Laucha salinera para niños
