Highlands punaré | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Family: | Echimyidae |
Subfamily: | Echimyinae |
Tribe: | Myocastorini |
Genus: | Thrichomys |
Species: | T. inermis
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Binomial name | |
Thrichomys inermis
Pictet, 1841
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The highlands punaré (Thrichomys inermis) is a caviomorph rodent of South America from the spiny rat family. [2] It is endemic to gallery forest, savanna and rocky outcrop habitats in Bahia State within the Caatinga ecoregion of eastern Brazil at elevations from 260 m to 1030 m. [1] It sometimes nests and often takes refuge in crevices in rock formations, as means of both predator avoidance and moderating temperature extremes. [3] The species tolerates a degree of habitat disturbance. Although hunted, it is considered common throughout its range. [1] Its karyotype has 2n = 26 and FN = 48. [2]
The etymology of the species name corresponds to the Latin word inermis meaning unarmed, defenceless — itself constructed from the prefix in- meaning without and the stem arma meaning defensive arms, armor —, [4] and refers to the soft fur of Thrichomys members replacing the spiny hair of the other genera of Echimyidae. [5]