First record of the Delicate Salt Flat Mouse, Salinomys delicatus Braun & Mares, 1995 (Rodentia, Cricetidae) in a xeric environment of northwestern Córdoba (Argentina), with comments on its conservation status

Abstract

Salinomys delicatus Braun & Mares, 1995 is a sigmodontine rodent endemic to perisaline environments in west-central Argentina. It is currently considered to be a Vulnerable species due to its patchy distribution and the loss of optimal habitats caused by intensive anthropogenic activities. In this work, we document the first record for this species in the Dry Chaco ecoregion of northwestern Córdoba province (Argentina), enlarging the geographic distribution of this species by approximately 115 km to the east of previously known occurrences. Our new record highlights the need to strengthen conservation policies in the Dry Chaco of Córdoba province.