18/06/2026 03:15 - Actualidad
Ilustración detallada de un roedor tipo rata vizcacha con pelaje suave marrón y blanco, cola larga, sobre un fondo de rocas y plantas bromelias en un ambiente serrano de Córdoba.
Argentina's biodiversity continues to amaze the scientific world. A team of researchers from CONICET (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas) and the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences "Bernardino Rivadavia" confirmed the discovery of a new rodent species in the mountains of Córdoba province.
The finding took place in Traslasierra National Park, specifically in the Guasapampa region, and was officially published on June 17, 2026. This mammal, popularly known as the Guasapampa vizcacha rat, was previously unknown to science.
CONICET is the main agency fostering science and technology in Argentina. Córdoba is a central province famous for its hills and native forests. The term "vizcacha" usually refers to a larger rodent similar to a chinchilla; however, this new species, despite its name, belongs to a different lineage, highlighting the uniqueness of the find.
The rodent inhabits a specific environment: rocky slopes covered with bromeliads—plants similar to pineapples that are crucial for the animal's diet and shelter. After genetic and anatomical studies, scientists determined that this animal's differences are so significant they justified the creation of a new genus within the family Octodontidae, a group of rodents native to South America.
The scientific name chosen, Apnotomys conicetorum, honors the work of the National Parks Administration and CONICET in preserving these ecosystems. Researchers emphasized that this discovery proves that "hidden riches" still exist in the least explored areas of the country.
This discovery reinforces the need to protect native forests and mountain areas. Identifying new species is fundamental to understanding biodiversity and ensuring its preservation before environmental degradation causes irreversible loss.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
