Rethinking the living diversity of the Abrocoma cinerea Thomas, 1919 species complex (Rodentia, Abrocomidae)

Abstract

The genus Abrocoma Waterhouse includes eight living species of medium-sized rats with long, soft, and dense fur; large ears; and moderate to short tails. Six of these species are included within the informally called A. cinerea Thomas 1919 species complex. Based both on the study of specimens housed in biological collections and the reinterpretation of previous morphological evidence, I suggest that the current recognized species richness of the genus could be overestimated. Both qualitative and quantitative morphological approaches are consistent with the recognition of no more than two morphotypes within the A. cinerea species complex.