Chalchalero Viscacha Rat
CR

Chalchalero Viscacha Rat

Tympanoctomys loschalchalerosorum

Declining

Photo: Photo: Perez J, Barquez R, Diaz M (2017) Morphology of the limbs in the semi-fossorial desert rodent species of Tympanoctomys (Octodontidae, Rodentia). ZooKeys 710: 77-96. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.710.14033 via Wikimedia Commons CC BY 4.0

Overview

The Chalchalero viscacha rat or Chalchalero vizcacha rat is a species of caviomorph rodent in the family Octodontidae. It was formerly considered to be monotypic within the genus Salinoctomys, but has been shown by genetic analysis to nest within Tympanoctomys, and in particular, within the variation of T. barrerae.

The species is endemic to a small area of northwestern Argentina, where it lives in shrublands bordering the salt flats of the Salinas Grandes. Its diet consists of halophyte plants. It is named after an Argentine musical group, Los Chalchaleros, whose songs were popular with its discoverers.

Tympanoctomys loschalchalerosorum faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in its extremely limited range in Argentina's Monte Desert. The species' highly specialized habitat requirements and small population size make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance. Mining activities and infrastructure development pose additional pressures on the remaining suitable habitat patches.

Threat summary

Habitat

This critically endangered rodent inhabits specialized sandy and rocky areas within the Monte Desert scrubland of Argentina, particularly favoring areas with sparse vegetation and specific soil conditions. The species requires very particular microhabitat features including suitable burrowing substrates and proximity to specific plant communities.

Shrubland· major

Other threatened species in OCTODONTIDAE

VU

Bridges's Degu

Octodon bridgesi

Declining
Golden Vizcacha RatCR

Golden Vizcacha Rat

Tympanoctomys aureus

Declining
Octodon pacificusCR

Octodon pacificus

Declining

Threatened in Argentina

Striped SmoothhoundCR

Striped Smoothhound

Mustelus fasciatus

Declining
VU

Achala Escuerzo-Frog

Odontophrynus achalensis

Declining
VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
EN

Gubernatrix cristata

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Chalchalero Viscacha Rat classified as Critically Endangered?
Chalchalero Viscacha Rat is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Tympanoctomys loschalchalerosorum faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in its extremely limited range in Argentina's Monte Desert. The species' highly specialized habitat requirements and small population size make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance. Mining activities and infrastructure development pose additional pressures on the remaining suitable habitat patches.
Where does Chalchalero Viscacha Rat live?
Chalchalero Viscacha Rat occurs in Argentina. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Chalchalero Viscacha Rat?
The main threats to Chalchalero Viscacha Rat are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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