Notable range extension of Chinchillula sahamae Thomas, 1898 (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) to central Peru, with natural history notes

Abstract

Chinchillula sahamae Thomas, 1898 is a sigmodontine rat, known to occur in southern Peru, northern Chile, and western Bolivia. In this study, we report new records of the species in the departments of Huancavelica and Junín, Peru, which extend this species’ known distribution 370 km northwest, and new records in the department of Tacna, which extend the upper elevational range of the species to 5100 m, 250 m higher than previously known. In addition, we include notes on natural history, especially nesting behaviour, based on direct observations.