Mastozoología Neotropical; 2(2):173-206 ISSN 0327-9383 SAREM, 1995

THE OF : AN ETYMOLOGY

Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares1,2

' Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019

2 Department of , University of Oldahoma, Norman, OK 73019

ABSTRACT: The etymology of all genera and of terrestrial mammals of Argentina are described.

RESUMEN: Los mamíferos de Argentina: una etimología. Se presenta la etimología de todos los géneros y especies de los mamíferos terrestres de la Argentina.

Key words: Mammals, etymology, Argentina, genera, species, , South America

Palabras clave: Mamíferos, etimología, Argentina, géneros, especies, taxonomía

INTRODUCTION Lucero (1981), Bárquez (1987), Bárquez et The etymology of Argentine mammals has not al. (1991, 1993), and Redford and Eisenberg been completely presented in other published (1992). works that have dealt with one or another as- Methods pect of the derivation of mammalian scientific names (Palmer, 1904; Conisbee, 1953, 1960, Taxa are listed in systematic order following 1964, 1970, 1975; Gotch, 1979). Argentina is Wilson and Reeder (1993). Orders, families, a very active geographic area for the descrip- and subfamilies, if appropriate, are given. tion of new species (and even genera) of mam- Genera and species are arranged alphabeti- mals. We have attempted to ascertain, as much cally. The authority and date are given after as possible, the construction of the Latin bi- each species name. nomials of all Argentine species. We Whenever possible, derivations of names are believe that a review of these names is in- given. Major sources used include: Palmer structive, not only in codifying many aspects (1904); Conisbee (1953); Brown (1956); Jae- of the biology of the mammals, but in pre- ger (1962); Gotch (1979). Original literature senting a historical overview of collectors and also was consulted for explanations of names taxonomic work in Argentina. or for clues in the descriptions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS ETYMOLOGY OF Taxa SCIENTIFIC NAMES The listing of Argentine mammals was based Order Didelphimorphia primarily on Wilson and Reeder (1993), and Family Didelphidae supplemented with our own experience with Subfamily Caluromyinae the species comprising the fauna of Argen- Caluromys lanatus (Olfers, 1818) tina. We also examined numerous published cal—kalos (Gr), beautiful + ur—oura (Gr), works in addition to those included in the tail + mys (Gr), a mouse (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, original papers presenting each binomial, in- 1979) cluding Osgood (1943), Cabrera (1957, 1961), lanatus (L), woolly (Gotch, 1979) Mares et al. (1981, 1989, 1995), Olrog and The name refers to the long, partially

Recibido 22 Agosto 1995. Aceptado 10 Octubre 1995. 174 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares haired tail; the species name refers to its The genus name is a reference to the large woolly fur. and powerful jaws that indicate it is a predator (Tate, 1934; Conisbee, 1953), i.e., Subfamily Didelphinae the predatory Didelphis. The species was Chironectes minimus (Zimmermann, 1780) named in honor of Mr. T.H. Hall, who ob- chir—cheir (Gr), the hand + nect—nektris tained the type specimen in 1920 not far from (Gr), a swimmer (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) Puerto Deseado, Argentina at Cape Tres minimus (L), smallest (Gotch, 1979) Puntas. The collection containig this specimen The genus name refers to the webbed hind was sent by Mr. Hall to the Perth Museum, feet, which are adapted for swimming (Palmer, Western Australia, and the British Museum 1904); this species was originally compared received the collection in an exchange. to an otter and found to be much smaller (Gotch, 1979). Lutreolina crassicaudata (Desmarest, 1804) lutr—diminutive lutreola (L), otter, mink + Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1840 ina (L), suffix denoting likeness (Conisbee, di- (Gr) a prefix meaning two + delph- 1953) delphys (Gr), the womb (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, crass—crassus (L) thick + caud—cauda (L), 1979) the tail + atus (L), an adjectival suffix mean- alb—albus (L), white'+ ventr—genitive ventris ing "provided with" (L), the belly The genus name is a derivative of Lutreola, a The genus name refers to the marsupium or mink, a reference to its long, weasel-like body pouch as a secondary womb in which the (Conisbee, 1953). The species name refers to young develop after birth (Palmer, 1904; the thick tail. Gotch, 1979). The species name refers to the white belly. Metachirus nudicaudatus (Desmarest, 1817) meta (Gr), behind + chir—cheir, cheiros (Gr), Didelphis aurita Wied-Neuwied, 1826 the hand (Palmer, 1904) auritus (L), eared nud—nudus (L), naked + caud—cauda (L), The species name simply means "eared the tail + atus (L), a suffix added to noun Didelphis" and may refer to the ear color, stems to form adjectives meaning "provided which is black. The white-eared opossum, with" Didelphis albiventris, also occurs in the same The genus name refers to the absence of region. webbing between the toes of the hind feet; webbing is present in Chironectes (Palmer, Gracilinanus agilis (Burmeister, 1854) 1904). The species name refers to the tail, gracil—gracilis (L), slender + nanus (L), a which is naked except for the basal 5-25 mm. dwarf agilis (L), quick, light, nimble Micoureus constantiae (Thomas, 1904) The genus name refers to the slender appear- micouré—a native word ance of this small opossum; the species name constantiae—a proper name is self explanatory. The genus name is from a Guaraní Indian word meaning an opossum (Palmer, 1904). The Gracilinanus microtarsus (Wagner, 1842) species was named in honor of Mrs. Percy micr—mikros (Gr), small + tarsos (Gr), anide, (probably Constance) Sladen, who was respon- flat of the foot between the toes and the heel sible for funding the collection of mammals The species name refers to the small foot. from the expedition (named in her husband's Lestodelphys halli (Thomas, 1921) memory) to the Mato Grosso of Brazil during lest—lestes (Gr), a robber + delph—delphys which this species was first collected. (Gr), the womb (Conisbee, 1953) halli—a proper name THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 175

Micoureus demerarae (Thomas, 1905) Thylamys elegans (Waterhouse, 1839) demerarae—a proper name thylac—thylakos (Gr), pouch + mys (Gr), a The species name refers to the type locality, mouse (Palmer, 1904) Comaccka, 80 miles up Demerara River, Brit- elegans (L), elegant ish Guiana. The genus name refers to members of this genus as or pouched mice (Palmer, Monodelphis americana (Müller, 1776) 1904). The species name is self explanatory. mon—monos (Gr), single + delph—delphys (Gr), the womb (Palmer, 1904) Thylamys pallidior (Thomas, 1902) americana—pertaining to the New World pallid—pallidus (L), pallid + ior (L), mascu- The genus name refers to a single womb; the line and feminine comparative ending species name is self explanatory. The species name reflects the pale gray col- oration of the dorsum. Monodelphis brevicaudata (Erxleben, 1777) brev—brevis (L), short + caud—cauda (L), Thylamys pusilla (Desmarest, 1804) the tail + atus (L), an adjectival suffix mean- pusillus (L), very little ing "provided with" The species name is self explanatory. The species name is a reference to the short tail. Thylamys velutinus (Wagner, 1842) velutinus (ML) velvety Monodelphis dimidiata (Wagner, 1847) The species name is a reference to the velvety dimidiatus (L), halved, divided fur. Wagner gave no explanation for the species name. Order Paucituberculata Family Caenolestidae Monodelphis domestica (Wagner, 1842) Rhyncholestes raphanurus (Osgood, 1924) domesticus (L), of a house or household rhynch—rhynchos (Gr), snout + lest—lestes Wagner discussed that the type of this species (Gr), a robber (Conisbee, 1953, Gotch, 1979) was captured in Cuyaba, Mato Grosso, Brazil, raphan—raphanos (Gr) a radish + ur—oura where it is frequently found in houses. (Gr), tail (Gotch, 1979) The prefix of the generic name is a reference Monodelphis scalops (Thomas, 1888) to its elongated snout. The suffix of the ge- scalop—skalops (Gr), a mole neric name is a long-used name for ancient, The species name is in reference to the predatory ; the species name refers molelike aspects of the species. to the tail, which when thickened or incrassated at the base gives the appearance of a radish Monodelphis sorex (Hensel, 1872) (Gotch, 1979). This species, as do many other sorex (L), a shrew-mouse marsupials, stores fat in the tail during winter. The species name is an allusion to the Order Microbiotheria shrewlike appearance of this opossum; the Family Microbiotheriidae common name is shrewish short-tailed opos- Dromiciops gliroides Thomas, 1894 sum. dromicia—a genus in the family Phalangeridae + ops—opsis (Gr), appearance (Palmer, 1904) Philander opossum (Linnaeus, 1758) glir—glis, genitive gliris (L), dormouse + oid phil—philos (Gr), loving + andr—aner, = -oides, a contraction of Gr -o + eidos denot- genitive andros (Gr), man (Palmer, 1904) ing likeness of form opossum—North American Indian word mean- The genus name is a reference to its similarity ing "white beast" in appearance to the Australian genus The genus name means "man loving"; the Dromicia (Palmer, 1904); the species name species name is self explanatory. 176 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares refers to the ' s similarity in appearance Cabassous tatouay (Desmarest, 1804) to a European dormouse. tatoua—tatu, a native name The species name comes from the native name Order Xenarthra for this armadillo (Palmer, 1904) Family Bradypodidae Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825 Chaetophractus nationi (Thomas, 1894) brady—bradys (Gr), slow + pus—pous (Gr), chaet—chaeta (NL), hair, bristle + phract— foot (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) phraktos (Gr), protected (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, variegatus (L), of different colors 1979) The genus name reflects the slow locomotion nationi—a proper name of this species (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); The genus name means protected by hair, a the species name refers to the various colors reference to the hairiness of the members of of the pelage. General coloration is light brown this genus; this species was named in honor with large white patches on the lower back of Prof. W. Nation, a well-known naturalist and hindlegs. Males have a large patch of short of Lima, Peru, who presented the type speci- orange fur with an orange stripe between the men to the British Museum. shoulders. Chaetophractus vellerosus (Gray, 1865) Family Dasypodidae vell—vellus, genitive velleris (L), wool + osus Subfamily Chlamypliorinae (L) termination denoting "full of' Chlamyphorus retusus Burmeister, 1863 The species name refers to its long hair; mem- chlamys—chlamys (Gr) a short cloak or mantle bers of this genus are sometimes known as + phoros (Gr), a bearing or phoreus (Gr), a hairy armadillos (Gotch, 1979). bearer (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) retusus (L), blunted, rounded Chaetophractus villosus (Desmarest, 1804) The genus and species names are references vi//osus (L), hairy to the armor plating of bony scales on the The species name refers to its long hair. armadillo (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979). Dasypus hybridus (Desmarest, 1804) Chlamyphorus runcatus Harlan, 1825 dasy—dasys (Gr), hairy, rough + pus—pous truncatus (NL) cut off (Gotch, 1979) (Gr), foot (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) The species name refers to the fact the armor hybridis (NL), a hybrid plating on the dorsum stops abruptly aboye The genus name means hairy or rough-foot- the rump giving the body a truncated appear- ed; we have been unable to determine the anee (Gotch, 1979). deriviation of the species name, although it is possible that it is a reference to the seven Subfamily Dasypodidae moveable bands that gave the species the Cabassous chacoensis Wetzel, 1980 appearance of being a hybrid between the nine- cabassous—probably from capacou (Galibi), banded (D. novemcinctus, 8-9 bands) and the an armadillo (Gotch, 1979) seven-banded armadillos (D. septemcinctus, 6- chacoensis—chaco, the thom forest region of 7 bands). Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay + ensis (L) adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus, 1758 The genus name comes from a South Ameri- novem (L), nine + cinct—cinctus (L) banded can name of the armadillo, Cabassou or (Gotch, 1979) Kabassou in the native language of a native The species name is a reference to the nine people of French Guiana (Gotch, 1979); Azara (generally eight) movable bands (Gotch, 1979). (1801) stated that it was a corruption of the Guaraní word Caaigouazou (Palmer, 1904). The species names refers to the phytogeo- graphic region in which the species occurs. THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 177

Dasypus septemcinctus Linnaeus, 1758 tri—treis (Gr) or tri (L), three + dactyl- septem (L), seven + cinct—cinctus (L) banded daktylos (Gr), a finger, a toe (Gotch, 1979) The species name is a reference to the seven The genus name refers to its preferred diet, (sometimes six) movable bands (Gotch, 1979). ants and termites; the species name is a refer- ence to the enlarged third claw on the fore Euphractus sexcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) limbs. eu (Gr), well + phract—phraktos (Gr), pro- tected (Palmer, 1904) Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) sex (L), six + cinct—cinctus (L) banded tamandua— Taa (Brazilian Tupi), ant + The genus name is a reference to the carapace mundeu (Brazilian Tupi) trap (Palmer, 1904; (Palmer, 1904); the species name is a refer- Gotch, 1979) ence to the six bands (Gotch, 1979). tetr—tetra (Gr), four; dactyl—daktylos (Gr), a finger, a toe (Gotch, 1979) Priodontes maximus (Kerr, 1792) The genus name refers to the ant-eating habits prion (Gr), a saw + odont—odous, genitive of this animal; the species name is based on odontos (Gr), tooth (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, the number of digits on the forefeet of this 1979) species. maximus (L), the largest The genus name means "saw toothed," this Order Chiroptera species may have as many as 90 small teeth Family Noctilionidae (Gotch, 1979); the species name refers to its Noctilio albiventris Desmarest, 1818 size—it is the largest of the armadillos. noct—nox, genitive noctis (L), night or nytelios (Gr), nightly (Palmer, 1904) Tolypeutes matacus (Desmarest, 1804) alb—albus (L), white + ventr—genitive ventris tolype—tolupe (Gr), a ball wound up + tes (L), the belly (Gr), suffix denoting having to do with The genus name refers to its flying at night; (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) the species name is a reference to the whitish mata—pertaining to the Mataco Indians of venter. Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina + acus (L) an adjectival suffix giving the sense of be- Noctilio leporinus (Linnaeus, 1758) longing (Gotch, 1979) lepor—lepus, genitive leporis (L), a hare + The genus name refers to the ability of this inus (L) an adjectival suffix meaning "like" species to roll itself up into a ball (Palmer, (Gotch, 1979) 1904; Gotch, 1979); the species name is a The species name is a reference to the split reference to the Mataco Indians of Bolivia, upper lip resembling that of a hare (Gotch, Paraguay, and Argentina (Gotch, 1979). 1979).

Zaedyus pichiy (Desmarest, 1804) Family Phyllostomidae za—za (Gr), an intensive particle meaning very Subfamily Phyllostominae + edy—edys (Gr), pleasant (Palmer, 1904) Chrotopterus auritus Peters, 1865 pichiy—may be derived from the Argentine chroto—chroa or chroia, genitive chrotos (Gr), Spanish word piche for armadillo the superficial appearance or color, also the The genus name means very pleasant; the skin or surface of the body + pter—pteron species name may be derived from native word (Gr), wing (Palmer, 1904) for this armadillo. auritus (L), eared The genus name refers to the color of the Family Myrmecophagidae wings, which are dark with whitish tips; the Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758 species name refers to the large ears. myrm—myrmex, genitive myrmekos (Gr), an ant + phag—phago (Gr), to eat (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) 178 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares

Macrophyllum macrophyllum (Schinz, 1821) and that the tongue was used to enhance the macr—makros (Gr), long + phyll—phyllon flow of blood. (Gr), a leaf 93'almer, 1904) The genus and species names mean large leaf, Subfamily Carolliinae a reference to the large nose leaf (Palmer, Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) 1904). carollia (L), a proper name perspicillatus (NL) conspicuous, spectacular Phyllostomus discolor Wagner, 1843 The genus name possibly is a Latin derivative phyll—phyllon (Gr), a leaf + stom—stoma of Charles, in honor of Charles Lucien Bona- (Gr), the mouth (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) parte, Prince of Canino, and of Musignano, discolor (L), of different colors, variegated author of "Iconografia della Fauna Italica" The genus name, leaf mouth, is a reference to (Palmer, 1904); the species name is self ex- the nose leaf (Palmer, 1904); the species name planatory. refers to the coloration of the pelage—dorsal hairs are tricolored and a large amount of Subfamily Stenodermatinae individual variation exists; thus, various col- Artibeus fimbriatus Gray 1838 ors are present on the animal. arti (Gr), straight + baino (Gr), to walk (Palmer, 1904) Tonatia bidens (Spix; 1823) fimbriatus (L), fringed, bordered with hairs bi—bi (L), prefix meaning two, double + dens The genus name is a possible reference to the (L) tooth white facial stripes that are present on most The etymology of the genus name is unclear members of this genus; the species name re- (Palmer, 1904); the species name refers to the fers to the distinct fringe of hairs on the two lower incisors, a feature shared with only interfemoral membrane. two other genera (Mimon and Chrotopterus) in the subfamily Phyllostominae. Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) lituratus—litteratus (L), branded, marked Tonatia silvicola (d'Orbigny, 1836) The species name refers to well-defined white silv—silva (L), forest + -cola (L), suffix mean- facial stripes. ing dweller, inhabitant The species name means forest dweller. Artibeus planirostris (Spix, 1823) plan—planus (L) flat, smooth + rostr—ros- Subfamily Glossophaginae trum (L), snout, muzzle Anoura caudifer (E. Geoffroy, 1818) The species name refers to the flat rostrum. an (Gr.), without + oura (Gr.), tail (Palmer, 1904) Platyrrhinus lineatus (E. Geoffroy, 1810) caud—cauda (L), the tail + -fer—feros (L), platy—platys (Gr), broad, wide + rhin—rhis, carry, bear genitive rhinos (Gr), nose (Palmer, 1904) The genus name refers to the lack of a tail lineatus (L), markeLl with lines (Palmer, 1904); the species name refers to the The genus name is a reference to the broad rudimentary tail in this species. nose; the species name refers to the whitish middorsal stripe. Glossophaga soricina (Pallas, 1766) gloss—glossa (Gr), tongue + phag—phago Pygodernia bilabiatum (Wagner, 1843) (Gr), to eat (Palmer, 1904) pyg—pyge (Gr), rump + derma (Gr), skin soricinus (L) of a shrew (Palmer, 1904) The genus name is a reference to the long, bi—bi (L), prefix meaning two, double + slender tongue that is used to take nectar or labiatus (L), lipped glean insects from flowers; the species name The genus name is a possible reference to the refers to the long-snouted shrewlike face. This lack of a well-developed uropatagium; the spe- bat was originally thought to be a sanguinivore cies name is descriptive of the upper lip, which THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 179 has a fold of skin that gives the bat the ap- correspondent Dr. C.G. Young from Berbice, pearance of having two upper lips. New Amsterdam, British Guyana" (Jentink, Sturnira erythromos (Tschudi, 1844) 1893:278). sturnus (L) starling—a proper name erythrokomos (Gr), red-haired Family Vespertilionidae The genus name refers to the ship, Starling, Subfamily Vespertilioninae consort of the H. M. S. Sulphur on the 1836 Eptesicus brasiliensis (Desmarest, 1819) voyage to Brazil when the type was collected eptesicus (NL), a name coined by Rafinesque (Palmer, 1904); the species name refers to the that he said he derived from epien (Gr), to fly reddish color on the shoulders of some indi- + oikos (Gr), house (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, viduals of this species. 1979). However, the correct Greek word would more likely be eptén, which means "I flew." Sturnira lilium (E. Geoffroy, 1810) brasil—a reference to Brazil + -ensis (L) ad- lilium (L), of or from lilies jectival suffix meaning "belonging to" The species name possibly is a reference to The genus name means bats that fly from out the shape of the noseleaf. of houses; the species name is a reference to the country of the type locality, Brazil. Sturnira oporaphilum (Tschudi, 1844) (listed as bogotensis by Wilson and Reeder, 1993) Eptesicus diminutus (Osgood, 1915) opor—opora (Gr), autunm + phil—philos (Gr), diminutus—deminuo (L), diminish, decrease loving The species name refers to the small size of The species name means autumn-lover. this bat, the smallest of the South American Eptesicus. pusilla (Wagner, 1843) vampyressa—diminutive of Vampyrus Eptesicus furinalis (d'Orbigny, 1847) (Palmer, 1904) We have been unable to determine the mean- pusillus (L), small ing of the species name, although it may be The genus name is based on the inclination of derived from "of Fur(r)ina," a goddess wor- early naturalists to regard all neotropical bats shipped in Rome. as vampires; the species name means little or small; that is, the little vampire. Histiotus macrotus (Peoppig, 1835) histio—histion (Gr), sail + ous, otos (Gr), ear Subfamily Desmodontinae (Palmer, 1904) Desmodus rotundus (E. Geoffroy, 1810) macr—makros (Gr), long + ous, otos (Gr), desm—desmos (Gr), a bundle, band + odont- ear odous, genitive odontos (Gr), a tooth (Palmer, The genus and species names are a reference 1904; Gotch, 1979) to the large, triangular ears (Palmer, 1904). rotundus (L), round (Gotch, 1979) The genus name refers to the two large curved Histiotus montanus (Philippi and Landbeck, upper incisors that are grouped (bundled) and 1861) occupy the space between the canines (Gotch, montanus (L), pertaining to mountains 1979); the species name is in reference to the The species name is a reference to the moun- spherical body (Gotch, 1979). tainous type locality, the Santiago Cordillera, Chile. Diaemus youngi (Jentink, 1893) diaimos (Gr), blood-stained, for a true vam- Histiotus magellanicus (Philippi, 1866) (in- pire (Conisbee, 1953) cluded in montanus by Wilson and Reeder, youngi—a proper name 1993) The genus name refers to the fact that this magellan—a proper name + -icus (L) an ad- genus is a true vampire (blood feeder); the jectival suffix meaning "belonging to" species name is in honor of "our well known 180 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares

The species name refers to the type locality, Myotis albescens (E. Geoffroy, 1806) the Straits of Magellan. albsecens—present participle (L), becoming white Histiotus velatus (I. Geoffroy, 1824) The species name refers to the frosted white velutus (L), sail appearance of hairs of this bat and its white The species name likely refers to the large venter; the species appears to be "becoming ears. white".

Lasiurus blossevillii (Lesson and Garnot, Myotis chiloensis (Waterhouse, 1840) 1826) chil—referring to Chiloe Island + -ensis (L), lasi—lasios (Gr), hairy + ur—oura (Gr), tail adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) The species name is reference to the type The genus name is a reference to the haired locality, a site on Chiloe Island, Chile. uropatagium (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); we were unable to determine the derivation of the Myotis keaysi J.A. Allen, 1914 species name. keaysi—a proper name The species was named in honor of H.H. Lasiurus cinereus (Beauvois 1796) Keays who collected the type specimen at the cinereus (L), ash-colored, white or gray-white Inca Mines, Departamento Puno, Peru. (Gotch, 1979) The species name refers to the distinctive Myotis levis (I. Geoffroy, 1824) coloration of this bat. levis (L), smooth, light We have been unable to determine the mean- Lasiurus ega (Gervais, 1856) ing of the species name. The species name is a reference to the type locality, Ega, Amazonas, Brazil. Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) nigricans (L), blackish, dark Lasiurus salinae (Thomas, 1902) (included in The species name is a reference to the black- borealis by Wilson and Reeder, 1993) ish or dark color of the individuals of this salinae (L) salt works, salt pits species. The species name refers to the region of the type locality, Cruz del Eje, Cordoba, Argen- Myotis riparius Handley, 1960 tina, a district with a major salt works. riparius (L), frequenting or belonging to a stream bank Lasiurus varius (Poeppig, 1835) (included in The species name refers to the habitat in which borealis by Wilson and Reeder, 1993) the type series was collected; mist nets were varius (L), different placed over streams. The species name refers to the unusual col- oration of this bat (bright reddish orange), Myotis ruber (E. Geoffroy, 1806) which differentiated it from previously de- ruber (L), red scribed species. The species name is a reference to the reddish fur of this species. Myotis aelleni Baud, 1979 mys (Gr); a mouse + ous, otos (Gr), ear Myotis simus Thomas, 1901 (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) simus (L), flat-nosed The genus name, mouse ear, is an allusion to The species name refers to its broad, flat head, the large ears (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); and short muzzle giving it an appearance quite this species was named in honor of V. Aellen, unlike that of other Myotis. a Swiss biologist. THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 181

Family Molossidae Eumops glaucinus (Wagner, 1843) Cynomops abrasus (Temminck, 1827) (listed glauc—glaukos (Gr), gray + -inus (L) suffix as Molossops by Wilson and Reeder, 1993) added to noun stems to form adjectives mean- cyn—kyon, genitive kynos (Gr), dog + mops- ing like or "belonging to" a group of mastiff bats (Conisbee, 1953) The specific name refers to the color of the fur. abrasus—past participle abrado (L), scraped away, shaved, peeled off Eumops patagonicus Thomas, 1924 (included The genus name refers to the doglike appear- in bonariensis by Wilson and Reeder, 1993) ance of these bats; we have been unable to patagon—referring to Patagonia + -icus (L), determine the meaning of the species name. suffix added to noun stems to form adjectives meaning like or "belonging to" Cynomops paranus (Thomas, 1901) (included The species name refers to the type locality of in Molossops planirostris by Wilson and this bat—Patagonia (Chubut Province). Reeder, 1993) para—referring to Para, Brazil + -us (L), end- Eumops perotis (Schinz, 1821) ing often added to geographical names to make peros (Gr), maimed + ous, otos (Gr), ear geographical adjectives The species named refers to the unusual shape The species name is in reference to the type of the ear. locality, Para, Brazil. Molossops neglectus Williams and Genoways, Cynomops planirostris (Peters, 1865) (listed 1980 as Molossops by Wilson and Reeder, 1993) moloss(us)—the bat genus + ops—opsis (Gr), plan—planus (L) flat + rostr—rostrum (L), appearance (Palmer, 1904) snout, muzzle neglectus (L), neglected The species name refers to the flattened snout. The genus name reflects that this genus is very much like the genus Molossus (Palmer, 1904); Eumops auripendulus (Shaw, 1800) the name of this species refers to the fact that eu (Gr), well + mops—a group of mastiff bats it was undetected in the Carnegie Museum (Conisbee, 1953) collection of mammals for several years be- auritus (L), eared + pendulus (L), hanging fore it was recognized as a new species. down The genus name means well-exemplifying Molossops temminckii (Burmeister, 1854) mastiff bats; Conisbee (1953) noted that the temminckii—a proper name characters of this species were more devel- Named in honor of C. J. Temminck, a Dutch oped than those of Promops from which it Zoologist and former Director of the Natural was separated; the species name refers to the History Museum at Leyden, the Netherlands. large ears. Molossus ater E. Geoffroy, 1805 Eumops bonariensis (Peters, 1874) moloss—molossos (Gr), the Molossus hound bonus (L.), good + aer (L.), air + -ensis (L), or mastiff, a region in Epirus famous for its adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" hounds (Palmer, 1904) The species name refers to the geographic ater (L), black region of Buenos Aires (literally "good air," The generic name refers to the mastifflike face in Spanish), Argentina. of this bat and the region where a particular mastiff hound was developed; these bats are Eumops dabbenei Thomas, 1914 known as bull-dog bats (Palmer, 1904); the dabbenei—a proper name species name is self evident. This species was named in honor of Dr. R. Dabbene, Conservator of Zoology at the Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766) Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Ber- moloss—molossos (Gr), the Molossus hound nardino Rivadavia", Buenos Aires, Argentina. or mastiff, a region in Epirus famous for its 182 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares hounds name is a reference to the Caraya, a people The specific name is self explanatory. living in the central part of South America where this monkey is found (Gotch, 1979). Nyctinomops laticaudatus (E. Geoffroy, 1805) nyctinomus—a genus of bat (nyx, genitive Alouatta fusca (E. Geoffroy, 1812) nyktos (Gr), night, + nomos (Gr), habitation + fuscus (L), brown, dusky (Gotch, 1979) ops—opsis (Gr), appearance (Palmer, 1904) The species name refers to the coloration of lat—latus, (L), broad + caud—cauda (L), the the fur, a general brownish color. The com- tail + -atus (L), an adjectival suffix meaning mon name of this monkey is the brown howler "provided with" monkey. The genus name means similar to the genus Nyctinomus (Palmer, 1904); the specific name Subfamily Aotinae refers to the width of the tail. Aotus azarai (Humboldt, 1811) a- (Gr), prefix meaning without + ous, otos Nyctinomops macrotis (Gray, 1840) (Gr), ear (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) macr—makros (Gr), long + ous, otos (Gr), azarai—a proper name ear The genus name, "without ears," is a refer- The species name is self evident. ence to the very small ears (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); the species was named in honor Promops centralis Thomas, 1915 of Felix de Azara, a Spanish naturalist from pro- (Gr), a prefix meaning before, forward, the late 1700s who worked in Brazil and Para- in front of, earlier, prior + mops—a Malay guay (see notes on Ctenomys azarae). name of a bat (Palmer, 1904) The generic name likely makes reference to Subfamily Cebinae some scale of ranking (e.g., earlier, comes Cebus apella (Linnaeus, 1758) before) between this genus and the Old World cebus—kebos (Gr), a long-tailed monkey bat genus Mops; the species name refers to (Gotch, 1979; Palmer 1904) the distribution of this species, with the type a (Gr), without + pell— pellos (Gr), dark locality being from Central America. colored The species name likely refers to the pale color Promops nasutus (Spix, 1823) of this monkey. nasutus (L), large-nosed The species name is self evident. Order Carnivora Family Canidae Tadarida brasiliensis (I. Geoffroy, 1824) Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1758) tadarida—(NL) a word created by C.S. cerd—kerdo (Gr), fox + cyn—kyon, genitive Rafinesque (Gotch, 1979) kynos (Gr), dog (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) brasil—referring to Brazil + -ensis (L), adjec- thos, genitive thoos (Gr), a jackal (Gotch, tival suffix meaning "belonging to" 1979) The genus and species names are self evident. The genus name, "fox dog," is a reference to the tail, which has a brush longer than that of Order Primates a true fox (Palmer, 1904); the species name is Family Cebidae self evident. These foxes have a number of Subfamily Alouattinae characteristics of jackals, foxes, and dogs Alouatta caraya (Humboldt, 1812) (Sheldon, 1992). alouatt— alouata (Guianan), a name for the red howler monkey or (NL) derivation from Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1815) the French alouate (Gotch, 1979); Palmer chrys—chrysos (Gr), gold, golden + cyn— (1904) a native name kyon, genitive kynos (Gr), dog (Palmer, 1904; caraya—a proper name Gotch, 1979) The genus name is a native name; the species THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 183 brachy—brakhys (Gr), short + ur—oura (Gr), Family Felidae tau' (Gotch, 1979) Subfamily Felinae The genus name, "gold dog," is a reference to Herpailurus yaguarondi (Lacépéde, 1809) the reddish-brown (golden) hair color (Palmer, herp—herpo (Gr), to creep + ailouros (Gr), a 1904; Gotch, 1979); the species name refers cat (Palmer, 1904) to the tail, which is short relative to the body. (Tupi), native name for this spe- cies (Gotch, 1979) Dusicyon australis (Kerr, 1792) The genus name, creeping cat, is a reference dys—dysis (Gr), western + cyn—kyon, to the predatory habits of this species (Palmer, genitive kynos (Gr), dog (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1904); the specific name is a native Tupi name 1979) for this cat (Gotch, 1979). australis (L), southern The genus name refers to members of this Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758) genus as western dogs (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, leo—leo (L) ion + pardus (L), leopard 1979); the species refers to their distribution pardus (L), leopard + -alis (L), an adjectival on the Falkland Islands. suffix meaning "like" (Gotch, 1979) The generic and specific names refer to the Pseudalopex culpaeus (Molina, 1782) similarity in coloration of this spotted cat to a pseud—pseudes (Gr), false + alopex (Gr), fox leopard. (Palmer, 1904) culpaeus—from the native Chilean Indian Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775) name for this fox tigrinus (L), striped like a tiger (Gotch, 1979) The genus name means false fox; the species The species name refers to the striped pattern name is derived from the Chilean word culpem on the neck and back. meaning "madness" or "folly," a reference to this species' lack of wariness, especially with Leopardus wiedii (Schinz, 1821) hunters (Osgood, 1943; Sheldon, 1992) wiedii—a proper name This species was named in honor of Pseudalopex griseus (Gray 1837) Maximilian Prinz von Wied-Neuwied, an early griseus (ML), gray (early to mid-1800s) naturalist of South The species name is self evident. America (and North America).

Pseudalopex gymnocercus (Fischer, 1814) Lynchailurus pajeros (Desmarest, 1816) gymn—gymnos (Gr), naked, lightly ciad + lynchus (Gr), lynx + ailouros (Gr), a cat cerc—kerkos (Gr), the tail (Palmer, 1904) We were unable to discern the derivation of pajeros—a native name the species name. The have well- The genus and species names are self explana- haired tails. tory.

Speothos venaticus (Lund, 1842) Oncifelis geoffroyi (d'Orbigny and Gervais, speo—speos (Gr), a cave, caven opening; 1844) thos, genitive thoos (Gr), a wolf (Palmer, 1904; geoffroyi—a proper name Gotch, 1979) The species name is given in honor of the venaticus (L), pertaining to the hunt (Gotch, French naturalist Geoffroy St. Hilaire. 1979) The genus name is a reference to the remains Oncifelis guigna (Molina, 1782) of this animal in association with bones found guigna—a native name for this cat in caves (Palmer, 1904); Gotch (1979) sug- The species name is likely a Chilean native gested a reference to their digging and living Indian name for this cat; possibly a corruption in holes in the ground; the species name may of guina or huina (Osgood, 1943). refer to its cooperative hunting behavior. 184 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares

Oreailurus jacobita (Comalia, 1865) 1904; Gotch, 1979) or—oros, genitive oreos (Gr), a mountain + brasiliensis—a proper name ailouros (Gr), a cat (Conisbee, 1953) The genus name, winged tail, is a reference to jacobita—a proper name the lateral projections on the tail, which is The genus name is a reference to the pre- dorsoventrally flattened for its distal half ferred habitat of this species, the high, rocky, (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); the species name barren Andes; this species was named in honor is a reference to the country of the type local- of Jacobita Mantegazza. ity, Brazil.

Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) Subfamily Mephitinae puma (AbAm, Peruvian), a cougar, a puma Conepatus chinga (Molina, 1782) (Palmer, 1904) conepatus—conepatl (Nahuatl), the white- concolor (L), of the same color, one-colored backed skunk (Gotch, 1979) chinga—(Sp), pug-nosed or chingue—a Chil- The species and genus names are self evident. ean native name meaning skunk There may be several derivations of the genus Subfamily Pantherinae name. Gotch (1979) suggested the following: Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758) konis (Gr), dust + pateo (Gr), I walk; mean- panthera (L) a leopard, panther (Palmer, 1904; ing to frequent a place. Gotch (1979) also Gotch, 1979) suggested that the name may refer to burrow- onc (NL) onca, some native name for a cat ing habits, since an animal would frequent its (see Oncifelis, aboye). burrow. Palmer (1904) suggested conepatl The genus name refers to its leopardlike ap- (Mexican Indian), probably refers to the bur- pearance; the species name is self evident. rowing habits of this species—nepantla in Nahuatl means a subterranean dwelling. The Family Mustelidae species name is self explanatory, whichever Subfamily Lutrinae derivation is preferred. Lontra felina (Molina, 1782) lontra, derivation of lutra (L), otter; Palmer Conepatus humboldtii Gray, 1837 (1904:381) "L'un des noms de la loutre en humboldtii—a proper name Italie" (Nouv. Dict. Hist. Nat. "Lontre".) This species was named in honor of Alexander felis (L), cat + -ina (L), suffix denoting like- von Humboldt, the great German naturalist of ness the late 18th and early 19th century. The genus name is self evident; the species name means catlike. The common name of Subfamily Mustelinae this species in Chile is "gato del mar" or "cat Eira barbara (Linnaeus, 1758) of the sea." eira (Guarani), native name for tayra (Gotch, 1979); Palmer (1904) eirara anagram of eraria Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818) a Brazilian name for this species long—longus (L), long + caud—cauda (L), barbar—barbaros (Gr), strange, foreign the tail + -is (L), suffix meaning "having" (Gotch, 1979) The species name refers to the long tail. The genus name is the Guaraní name for the tayra (Gotch, 1979); the species name is self Lontra provocax (Thomas, 1908) evident. provoco (L), to call This species name possibly refers to the dif- Galictis cuja (Molina, 1782) ficulty Thomas experienced in determining the gale—galee (Gr), a weasellike animal + ict— species in this genus. iktis (Gr), a weasel (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) Pteronura brasiliensis (Gmelin, 1788) cuja—a native Chilean name pteron (Gr), wing + oura (Gr), tail (Palmer, The genus name is means weasel; the species THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 185 name is a Chilean native name for this spe- small ears; this species was named in honor cies. of Commodore John Byron, an explorer of the South Seas during the mid-1700s, and who Galictis vittata (Schreber, 1776) collected the type specimen (Gotch, 1979). vittatus (L), bound with a ribbon, can mean striped (Gotch, 1979) Family Phocidae The species name is an allusion to the white Hydrurga leptonyx (de Blainville, 1820) stripe that extends from the forehead to the hydr—hydor (Gr), water + erg—ergon (Gr), shoulders and separates the black limbs, throat, work (Palmer, 1904) and venter from the grayish dorsum (Gotch, lept—leptos (Gr), slender, thin + onyx (Gr), 1979). nail, claw (Gotch, 1979) The genus name means "water worker" Lyncodon patagonicus (de Blainville, 1842) (Palmer, 1904; Kooyman, 1981) the species lync—lynx (Gr), + odont—odous, name refers to the reduced claws on the hind genitive odontos (Gr), a tooth (Palmer, 1904; flippers. Gotch, 1979) patagon—referring to Patagonia + -icus (L), Leptonychotes weddellii (Lesson, 1826) an adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" lept—leptos (Gr), slender, thin + onyx, genitive (Gotch, 1979) onychos (Gr), nail, claw (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, The genus name refers to the catlike teeth, 1979) numbering 28 (Gotch, 1979); the species name weddellii—a proper name is a reference to the region of the type local- The genus name is a reference to the obsolete ity, Patagonia. claws on the hind feet (Palmer, 1904); this species was named in honor of James Weddell, Family Otariidae a Scottish sealer who discovered this seal. Arctocephalus australis (Zimmermann, 1783) arct—arktos (Gr), bear + cephal—kephale Lobodon carcinophagus (Hombron and (Gr), head (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) Jacquinot, 1842) australis (L), southem (Gotch, 1979) lob—lobos (Gr), lobe + odont—odous, The genus name refers to its bear-like appear- genitive odontos (Gr), a tooth (Palmer, 1904; ance (Palmer, 1904), fur seals were originally Gotch, 1979) known as sea-bears (Bonner, 1981); the spe- carcin—karkinos (Gr), crab + phag—phago cies name is a reference to its distribution, the (Gr), to eat coasts of South America (Gotch, 1979), al- The genus name "lobe tooth" refers to dis- though Bonner (1981) suggested that it is a tinctive shape of the teeth which have a large name that was originally applied to a seal from lobe in front and three lobes behind the larger the Falkland Islands. central one (Palmer, 1904); the species name is a reference to the common name of this Arctocephalus gazella (Peters, 1875) seal, crabeater, although its diet probably con- gazella—a proper name sists more of krill (Gotch, 1979). The species was named in honor of the Ger- man Expedition vessel "Gazelle," which was Mirounga leonina (Linnaeus, 1758) sent to observe the Transit of Venus in 1874 mirounga (NL), derived from the Australian and from which the type specimen was col- Indian name for this seal, miouroung (Pahner, lected (Bonner, 1981). 1904; Gotch, 1979) leo—leo (L) lion + -inus (L) an adjectival Otaria byronia (de Blainville, 1820) suffix meaning "like" (Gotch, 1979) otarion (Gr), a little ear (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, The genus name is self explanatory; the spe- 1979) cies name makes reference to similarities with byronia—a proper name lions, in size and vocalization (roaring). The genus name is a reference to the very 186 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares

Ommatophoca rossii Gray, 1844 Balaenoptera borealis (Lesson, 1828) omma (Gr), eye + phoc—phoke (Gr), seal borealis (L), northern (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) The species name is derived from the com- rossii—a proper name mon name used by Cuvier for this whale- The genus name is a reference to the large rorqual du nord, which was later latinized by eyes or orbits of this seal (Palmer, 1904); this Lesson (Gambell, 1985). species was named in honor of Rear Admiral Sir James Ross, a British explorer of the Arc- Balaenoptera musculus (Linnaeus, 1758) tic and Antarctic during the 1800s. musculus (L), little mouse, but also a word used for an animal living in the sea (Gotch, Family Procyonidae 1979) Subfamily Procyoninae Nasua nasua (Linnaeus, 1766) Balaenoptera physalus (Linnaeus, 1758) nas—nasus (L), the nose (Palmer, 1904; physalos (Gr), a kind of whale or Gotch, 1979) phusalis (Gr), a pipe or wind instrument The genus and species names are references (Gotch, 1979). to the long, proboscis-like nose (Palmer, 1904; The species name is a reference to the blow- Gotch, 1979). hole that sometimes produces whistles (Gotch, 1979). Procyon cancrivorus (G. Cuvier, 1798) pro- (Gr), a prefix meaning before, earlier, Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski, 1781) prior + cyn—kyon, genitive kynos (Gr), dog meg—megas (Gr), great + pteron (Gr), a wing (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) novaeangliae (AS), New England (Gotch, cancer (L), a crab + vor—voro (L), to eat, 1979). devour (Gotch, 1979) The genus name refers to the large flippers The genus name, before dog, is a reference to that may be up to one-third of the body length its position ancestral to dogs (Gotch, 1979); (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); the species name the species name is a reference to its prefer- refers to the type locality, the coast of New ence for habitats near water and diet (Gotch, England (Gotch, 1979). 1979). Family Neobalaenidae Order Cetacea Caperea marginata (Gray, 1864) Family Balaenidae caperro (L), become wrinkled (Gotch, 1979; Eubalaena australis (Desmoulins, 1822) Palmer 1904) eu (L), well + balaena (L), whale (Palmer, marg—marginis (L genitive), edge, border + 1904; Gotch, 1979) ata (NL), -atus (L), an adjectival suffix mean- australis (L), southern ing "provided with" The genus name means well-exemplifying a The genus name refers to the wrinkled tym- whale; the species name refers to its distribu- panic bone (Palmer, 1904); the species name tion. is a reference to the baleen platel which are yellowish white with a narrow, dark margins Family Balaenopteridae on the external edge (Gotch, 1979). Balaenoptera acutorostrata (Lacépéde, 1804) balaena (L), whale + pteron (Gr), a wing Family Delphinidae acut—acutus (L), sharp, pointed + rostratus Cephalorhynchus commersonii (Lacépéde, (L), beaked, hooked 1804) The genus name is a reference to the well cephal—kephale (Gr), head + rhynch- developed dorsal fin (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, rhynchos (Gr), snout (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); the species name refers to the pointed 1979) nose, which is more so than in other whales commersonii—a proper name (Gotch, 1979). The genus name is a reference to the shape of THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 187 the head and snout—the head is curved australis (L), southern (beaked) not only the snout as in other dol- The genus name refers to the shape of the phins; Palmer (1904) suggested that the ros- snout, like that of a bottle (Palmer, 1904); the trum which is about half the length of the species name is a reference to the distribu- skull, is not well demarcated from the rest of tion, the southem oceans off Chile and Ar- the head; this species was named in honor of gentina. Dr. P. Commerson, a naturalist for the French during the mid- to late 1700s (Gotch, 1979). Lagenorhynchus cruciger (Quoy and Gaimard, 1824) Delphinus delphis (Linnaeus, 1758) cruc—crux (L), cross + gero (L), to bear, carry delphis (Gr), dolphin + -inus (L) an adjectival The species name "cross bearer" refers to the suffix meaning "like" (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, distinctive color pattern of the dolphin—the 1979) body is black with two large white patches on delphis (Gr), dolphin (Gotch, 1979) each flank that give the appearance of a cross. The genus and species names are self explana- tory. Lagenorhynchus obscurus (Gray, 1828) obscurus (L), dark Feresa attenuata (Gray, 1875) The species name refers to the coloration of feresa—féres (Fr), a local name for this dol- this dolphin— dark gray except for the throat, phin (Palmer, 1904) venter, flippers, and posterior edge of dorsal attenuatus (L), weakened, reduced fin, which are whitish. The genus name is self explanatory; the spe- cies name may refer to the lack of a well- Lissodelphis peronii (Lacépéde, 1804) developed beak. /issos (Gr), smooth + delphis (Gr), dolphin (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) Globicephala melas (Traill, 1809) peronii—a proper name glob—globus (L) a ball, globe + cephal— The genus name is a reference to the smooth kephale (Gr), head (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, skin of this dolphin species (Gotch, 1979); we 1979) have been unable to determine for whom this melas (Gr), black, dusky (Gotch, 1979) species was named. The genus name refers to the short head and bulging forehead that is a result of the fat Orcinus orca (Linnaeus, 1758) located anterior to the blow-hole (Palmer, orca (L), whale + -inus (L) an adjectival suf- 1904); the species name refers to the overall fix meaning "like" (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, color which is black except for a white throat 1979)) (Gotch, 1979) orca (L), whale (Gotch, 1979) The genus and species name refer to this Grampus griseus (G. Cuvier, 1812) mammal as a kind of whale. grande pez (Sp), great fish, but now meaning "one who puffs" (Gotch, 1979), or a corrup- Pseudorca crassidens (Owen, 1846) tion of the French grand poisson "great fish" pseud—pseudes (Gr), false, deceptive + orca (Pahner, 1904) (L), whale (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) griseus (ML), gray (Gotch, 1979) crass—crassus (L) thick + dens (L), tooth The species name refers to the general colora- (Gotch, 1979) tion of this dolphin (Gotch, 1979). The genus name refers to this dolphin as a false orca; the species name refers to the large, Lagenorhynchus australis (Peale, 1848) powerful teeth (Gotch, 1979). lagen—lagena (L), a flask + rhynch— rhynchos (Gr), snout (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, Stenella attenuata (Gray, 1846) 1979) stenella—dimunitive of Steno, a proper name 188 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares attenuatus (L), weakened, reduced Family Physeteridae The genus was named in honor of Dr. Nikolaus Kogia breviceps (de Blainville, 1838) Steno, a Danish anatomist and geologist dur- kogia (NL), a native name, but perhaps a ing the 1600s (Palmer, 1904); we have been proper name (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) unable to determine what morphologic fea- brev—brevis (L), short + ceps (NL), head ture Gray considered to be weakened or re- (Gotch, 1979) duced. The genus name is perhaps a reference to Cogia Effendi, who observed whales in the Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833) Mediterranean Sea in the early 1800s (Palmer, coerul—caeruleus (L), dark colored, dark blue 1904; Gotch, 1979), or is a latinized form of + albus (L), white "codger", or may even be a meaningless word The species name is a reference to the distinc- (Palmer, 1904); the species name refers to the tive coloration of this dolphin; it is dark gray small head, especially in relation to that of or bluish with stripes of white or black. Physeter catodon (Gotch, 1979).

Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821) Physeter catodon Linnaeus, 1758 tursi—tursio (L), porpoise + ops—opsis (Gr), physeter (Gr), a blower, a tube for blowing, a appearance (Gotch, 1979) blow-hole (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) truncatus (NL), cut off, mutilated cat—cata (Gr), downward, below + odont- The genus name means "looking like a por- odous, genitive odontos (Gr), a tooth (Gotch, poise" in the genus Tursio (Palmer, 1904; 1979) Gotch, 1979); the species name refers to the The genus name is an obvious reference to shortened snout, which is shorter than in some the blow-hole (Palmer, 1904); the species name other species (Gotch, 1979). refers to the uneven distribution of teeth be- tween the upper and lower jaws (few teeth are Family Phocoenidae found in the upper jaw) (Gotch, 1979). Australophocaena dioptrica (Lahille, 1912) austral—australis (L), southern + phocaen- Family Platanistidae phokaina (Gr), a porpoise Pontoporia blainvillei (Gevais and d'Orbigny, diopter (Gr.), an optical instrument 1844) The genus name refers to the fact that this ponto—pontos (Gr), the sea + pore—poreuo animal is a southern porpoise related to (and (Gr), to ferry, to cross a river (Gotch, 1979); included by some in) the genus Phocoena. The pontoporia, a Nereid, the sea traverser (Palmer, species name is in reference to the white "spec- 1904) tacles" around the eyes, also giving the spe- blainvillei—a proper name cies its common name, spectacled porpoise or The genus name is in reference to the type marsopa de anteojos. locality of this species of freshwater dolphin- the mouth of the Rio de la Plata; this species Phocoena spinipinnis (Burmeister, 1865) was named in honor of H. D. de Blainville, a phocaen—phokaina (Gr), a porpoise (Palmer, French zoologist during the 1700s and 1800s 1904; Gotch, 1979) (Gotch, 1979). spin—spina (L), a thorn, spines of an animal + pinn—pinna (L), feather, wing, fin (Gotch, Family Ziphiidae 1979) Berardius arnuxii (Duvernoy, 1851) The genus name is self explanatory; the spe- berardius—a proper name cies name, "spiky finned" (Gotch, 1979), is a arnuxii—a proper name reference to the dorsal fin, which has a pro- The genus was named in honor of the French nounced posterior edge and a rounded tip. Captain (Admiral) Bérard who commanded the "Rhin" on the voyage during which the type specimen was collected (Palmer, 1904); the species was named in honor of M. Arnoux, THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 189 who obtained the type specimen while serv- honor of Mr. G. Shepherd, Curator of the ing as surgeon on board the above-named ship. Wanganui Alexander Museum of New Zealand who, notified of the remains of a decompos- Hyperoodon planifrons (Flower, 1882) ing whale ("The state of a whale carcass a hyperoe (Gr), the palate + odont—odous, month old may be imagined. It did not, how- genitive odontos (Gr), a tooth (Palmer, 1904; ever, deter Mr. Shepherd _ ", Oliver, Gotch, 1979) 1937:371), recognized it as an unusual ani- platy—platys (Gr), broad, wide + frons, mal, skeletonized the remains, and transponed genitive frontis (L), forehead, brow the material by train to the museum ("_ doing The genus name refers to teeth in the upper his best by numerous wrappings and the free jaw. Only two teeth are present in this spe- use of lysol to keep the smell from being cies, both in the lower jaw. Several protuber- detected." Oliver, 1937:372). He then invited anees on the palate were mistaken for teeth Mr. Oliver, Director of the Dominion Museum when this genus was first described (Palmer, of Wellington, New Zealand to describe the 1904; Gotch, 1979). The species name is a whale. reference to the shape of the forehead which, as the animal ages, especially in males, be- Ziphius cavirostris (G. Cuvier, 1823) comes steep and flattened. ziph (NL), xiphos (Gr), sword (Gotch, 1979); xiphios (Gr), swordfish (Palmer, 1904) Mesoplodon grayi (Von Haast, 1876) cavi—cavus (L), hollow + rostr—rostrum (L), mes—mesos (Gr), middle + oplon (Gr), anned, snout, muzzle (Gotch, 1979) tool or weapon (hoplon, annour) + odont— The genus name is a reference to the common odous, genitive odontos (Gr), a tooth (Palmer, name of these whales—beaked whales; the 1904; Gotch, 1979) species name refers to a hollow formation at grayi—a proper name the base of the snout (Gotch, 1979). The genus name refers to the prominent tooth in the middle of the lower jaw (Pahner, 1904); Order Perissodactyla the species was named in honor of the British Family Tapiridae zoologist, J. E. Gray, who during the late 1800s Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) studied and described marine mammals. tapir—tapy or tapyra (Tupi), thick or thick hide (Palmer, 1904) Mesoplodon hectori (Gray, 1871) terrestris (L), land-dwelling (Gotch, 1979) hectori—a proper name The genus name is derived from a tribe of This species was named in honor of J. Hector, South American Indians living in the Amazon a zoologist during the late 1800s who wrote (Gotch, 1979) and likely refers to the thick several anides describing the marine mam- skin of this species; the species name refers to mals of New Zealand. its non-aquatic habits.

Mesoplodon layardii (Gray, 1865) Order Artiodactyla layardii—a proper name Family Tayassuidae This species was named in honor of E. L. Catagonus wagneri (Rusconi, 1930) Layard, Esq., of Cape Town, South Africa, kata (Gr), downward, inferior + gon—gonia who collected the type specimen. (Gr), angle wagneri—a proper name? Tasmacetus shepherdi (Oliver, 1937) We were unable to determine the meanings of Tasman, a geographic place name, the Tasman either the generic or specific names. Sea + cet—ketos (Gr), whale shepherdi—a proper name Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758) The genus name refers to the type which was pecari—(Tupi) pé, path + caa, wood + ri, based on a specimen collected in the Tasman much, many (Palmer, 1904) Sea (Conisbee, 1953); the species is named in tajacu—a Brazilian Indian name for the pec- 190 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares cary (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) antisana—a geographic place name + -ensis The genus name is the word used by a tribe of (L), adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" Brazilian Indians to refer to the many paths (Gotch, 1979) peccaries make through the woods (Palmer, The genus name, horse-camel, is a reference 1904; Gotch, 1979); the species name is self to its supposed position intermediate between explanatory. the horse and llama (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); the species name is a reference to a Tayassu pecarí (Link, 1795) 5,800 m peak in the Andes (Gotch, 1979). tayassu—a Tupí-Guaraní native name for this peccary (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979). Hippocamelus bisulcus (Molina, 1782) pecari—(Tupi) pé, path + caa, wood + ri, bi (L), prefix meaning two + sulc—sulcus (L), much, many (Palmer, 1904) furrow, groove The genus name is self explanatory; the spe- Several explanations are possible for the spe- cies name is a native word used to describe cies name. The name could refer to the dark the trails made by these peccaries. band (found on males) that extends from the tip of the muzzle and bifurcates aboye the eyes. Family Camelidae The species name could also refer to the fact Lama guanicoe (Müller, 1776) that in a comparison with the horse, it was Llama (Peruvian Indian), colloquial name for noted that the hooves of Hippocamelus are this species (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) divided. Finally, it is also possible that the guanaco (Sp), derived from a Quechua name name refers to the antlers that have but a single for this species (Gotch, 1979) division. The genus and species names are both collo- quial names used for this species by native Mazama americana (Erxleben, 1777) people of the region where it occurs (Gotch, mazama or magame—names used by 1979). Hemandez in 1651 for some species of deer (Palmer, 1904) Vicugna vicugna (Molina, 1782) americana—pertaining to the New World Vicuña (Peruvian Indian), colloquial name for The genus name recognizes Hemandez' de- this species (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) scription of deer (Palmer, 1904); the species The genus and species names are both collo- name is a reference to the New World. quial names used for this species by native people of the region where it occurs (Gotch, Mazama gouazoupira (G. Fischer, 1814) 1979). guazú-birá (Guarani), a small deer (Gotch, 1979) Family Cervidae The species name is used in Paraguay by the Subfamily Odocoileinae Guarani Indians (Gotch, 1979). Blastocerus dichotomus (Illiger, 1815) blast—blastos (Gr), a bud + cer—keras (Gr), Mazama nana (Hensel, 1872) a horra (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) nanus (L), a dwarf dich—dicha (Gr), divided + tome (Gr) stump The species name refers to this species small The genus name is a reference to the shape of size; it is the smallest species of Mazama. the horns, upright with three branches and without a basal tine, which are said to resemble Ozotoceros bezoarticus (Linnaeus, 1758) a bud (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); the spe- ozot—ozotos (Gr), branched, forked + cer- cies name refers to the doubly forked antlers. keras (Gr), a horn (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) bezoar (Sp) a wild goat + -icus (L), an adjec- Hippocamelus antisensis (d'Orbigny, 1834) tival suffix meaning "like" (Gotch, 1979) hippo—hippos (Gr), a horse + carnel- bezoarticus (L), a reference to the bezoar, a kamelos (Gr), a carne! (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, stomach or gall stone that was believed to have 1979) magical powers (Conisbee, 1970; Gotch, 1979) THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 191

The genus name, branched homs, is a refer- the species name refers to the immaculate ence to the large complex antlers (Palmer, white belly. 1904); it is difficult to tell what Linnaeus re- ferred to in describing this species. Perhaps alterus (Thomas, 1919) (included in he saw a resemblance to a goat. Perhaps he spegazzinii by Wilson and Reeder, 1993) only had the skull of a female, which appears alt—altus (L), high more goatlike than the male's skull. The species name refers to the high altitude at which the type specimen was collected, Otro Pudu puda (Molina, 1782) Cerro, 3000 m. pudú (Sp), a small deer (Gotch, 1979); a na- tive name (Palmer, 1904) (Fischer, 1829) The genus and species names possibly are azarae—a proper name besed on the word used by the Spanish to This species was named in honor of Felix de describe this species, although Gotch (1979) Azara, a Spanish naturalist from the late 1700s suggested that the name are derived from the who worked in Brazil and Paraguay (see notes Mapuche, a native people of southern Chile. on Ctenomys azarae). Molina considered this species a type of wild goat and not a deer. (Thomas, 1918) budini—a proper name Order Rodentia Named in honor of Sr. Emilio Budin, who Suborder Sciurognathi collected the mouse, and who was one of the Family Sciuridae greatest mammal collectors to work in south- Subfamily Sciurinae ernmost South America, especially Argentina, Sciurus aestuans (Linnaeus, 1766) in the late 1800s and early 1900s. sciurus (L), squirrel derived from skia (Gr), shade + oura (Gr), tail (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, Akodon caenosus (Thomas, 1918) (included 1979) in puer by Wilson and Reeder, 1993) aestus (L), summer, or austivus (L), heat caen—kainos (Gr), new, recent + -osus (L) The genus name, literally shade tail, is a termination denoting "full of' reference to the position of the tail when The species refers to the fact that this was a the animal is sitting (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, new species of Akodon for Thomas. 1979); it is unclear as to what the species name refers. Akodon cursor (Winge, 1887) cursor (L), a runner Sciurus ignitus (Gray, 1867) We are unsure as to what Winge meant by ignitus (L), glowing, fiery this species name; perhaps it refers to loco- The species name refers the bright, reddish motion in this species. brown color of this squirrel, particularly on the tail and on the venter. Akodon diminutus (Bárquez, Díaz, and Goytia, 1994) Family Muridae diminutus—deminuo (L), diminish, decrease Subfamily The species name refers to the very small size (Thomas, 1897) of this Akodon. ak (ac)—ake (Gr), point + odont—odous, genitive odontos (Gr), a tooth (Palmer, 1904) Akodon dolores (Thomas, 1916) alb—albus (L), white + ventr—genitive ventris dolores—a geographical location (L), the belly The species name refers to the type locality, The genus name is a reference to the Yacanto, near Villa Dolores, Cordoba Prov- cusps that are pointed relative to the taxon ince, Argentina. with which it was originally compared, Mus; 192 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares

Akodon illuteus (Thomas, 1925) Akodon nigrita (Lichtenstein, 1829) il (L), not + luteus (L), yellow nigritus (NL), blackened The coloration of A. illuteus is a uniform grey The species name refers to its dark coloration. brown; the species name refers to the lack of yellowish coloration that usually is found on Akodon olivaceus (Waterhouse, 1837) the dorsum of many of the other Akodon spe- oliv—oliva (L), olive + -aceus (L), adjectival cies. suffix meaning "pertaining to" The species name refers to the color of this Akodon iniscatus (Thomas, 1919) animal. in (L), shine in, light up + is (L), an adjectival suffix that seems to have no function here + Akodon puer (Thomas, 1902) catus (L), in good sense puer (L), a boy The species name perhaps refers to the fact This species name refers to the size of this that Thomas felt he was finally clarifying the animal, which is the smallest species of the systematics of the Patagonian Akodon. group.

Akodon kempi (Thomas, 1917) Akodon sanborni (Osgood, 1943) kempi—a proper name sanborni—a proper name Named in honor of Mr. Robin Kemp, who This species was named in honor of Mr. C. C. made a collection of mammals at Isla Ella, in Sanborn of the Field Museum of Natural His- the delta of the Río Paraná. tory.

Akodon lanosus (Thomas, 1897) Akodon simulator (Thomas, 1916) lanosus (L), woolly, full of wool simulator (L), imitator, similar, resemble The species name refers to the soft, thick, The species name refers to its resemblance to woolly fur. A. varius.

Akodon longipilis (Waterhouse, 1837) (Thomas, 1897) long—longus (L), long + pil—pilus (L), hair spegazzinii—a proper name This species has long, lax pelage. Named in honor of Dr. C. Spegazzini, a well- known fungologist of La Plata, Argentina who Akodon mansoensis (De Santis and Justo, presented a collection of rnammals to the 1980) British Museum and the Museo Argentino de mansoensis—a proper name Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia", This species was named for the river present Buenos Aires, Argentina, which contained the in the region of the type locality, Río Manso type specimen. Superior, Departamento Bariloche, Río Negro Province, Argentina. Akodon sylvanus (Thomas, 1921) sylv—sylva (L), wood + -anus (L), an adjec- Akodon molinae (Contreras, 1968) tival suffix meaning "belonging to" molinae—a proper name The species name refers to its preferred habi- This species was named in honor of Omar J. tat, woods. Molina, who was a member of the Comisión de Investigación Científica de la Provincia de Akodon toba (Thomas, 1921) Buenos Aires. toba—a proper name The species name refers to the Toba Inclán Akodon neocenus (Thomas, 1919) tribe of Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia, neo—neos (Gr), new, recent + cene—kainos which inhabits the region where the type was (Gr), new recent collected. The species name means the newest, new Akodon. THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 193

Akodon tucumanensis (J. A. Allen, 1901) (in- The species name refers to the high altitude at cluded in spegazzinii by Wilson and Reeder, which the type specimen was collected, 5500 1993) m. Thomas (1900:468) noted "This most in- tucuman—a geographical place name + -ensis teresting little mouse lives at the highest alti- (L), adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" tude from which mammalian life has been The species name refers to the province of recorded in the New World..." Tucumán, Argentina, site of the type locality. chacoensis (Shamel, 1931) Akodon xanthorhinus (Waterhouse, 1837) bibi—a proper name + mys (Gr), a mouse xanth—xanthos (Gr), yellow, yellowish-red, chaco—a region of Argentina, Bolivia, and orange, golden + rhin—rhis, genitive rhinos Paraguay + -ensis (L), adjectival suffix mean- (Gr), nose ing "belonging to" The name refers to the yellow orange colora- The genus name is in honor of Bibiana Mónica tion of the muzzle. Massoia, the daughter of Elio Massoia who name the genus; the species name refers to its Andalgalomys olrogi (Williams and Mares, general distribution, the Chacoan region of 1978) north-central Argentina. Andalgala—a geographical place name + mys (Gr), a mouse (Massoia, 1979) olrogi—a proper name torresi—a proper name The genus name refers to the town of Named in honor of the members of the family Andalgalá, Catamarca Province, Argentina, of Norberto Torres, who were residents of the where the type locality is located; the species Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Delta del was named in honor of Claes Cluistian Olrog, Paraná del INTA (Instituto Nacional de omithologist and mammalogist at the Instituto Tecnología Agropecuaria, Argentina), and Lillo of the University of Tucumán from the whose collaboration and help were appreci- 1950s to 1985. ated by Elio Massoia.

Andinomys edax (Thomas, 1902) Bolomys lactens (Thomas, 1918) andin—andinus (NL), Andean, of the Andes bol—bólos (Gr), a clod of soil + mys (Gr), a + mys (Gr), a mouse (Palmer, 1904) mouse (Conisbee, 1953) edac—edax (L), greedy, gluttonous, devour- lact—lactis (L), milk + ens (L), that which ing has existence The genus name, andean mouse, is a refer- The genus name meaning living in holes in ence to the habitat of the type locality (Palmer, the ground (Conisbee, 1953) is a reference to 1904); the significance of the species name is its burrowing habits; the species names refers not clear. to the prominent white chin.

Auliscomys micropus (Waterhouse, 1837) Bolomys lasiurus (Lund, 1841) aulic— possibly from aulax, genitive aulacos lasi—lasios (Gr), hairy + ur—oura (Gr), tail (Gr), a small groove, furrow + mys (Gr), a 'The species name refers to the well-haired tail mouse (Conisbee, 1953) of this species. micr—mikros (Gr), small + pus—pous (Gr), foot Bolomys obscurus (Waterhouse, 1837) The genus name is a reference to the slight, obscurus (L), dark but distinct, grooves of the upper incisors The species name is self explanatory. (Conisbee, 1953); the species name is self explanatory. Bolomys temchuki (Massoia, 1980) temchuki—a proper name Auliscomys sublimis (Thomas, 1900) This species was named in honor of Sr. sublimis (L), uplifted, lofty Eduardo Temchuk. 194 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares

Calomys callidus (Thomas, 1916) type locality, Mount Sahama, Bolivia. Tho- cal—kalos (Gr), beautiful + mys (Gr), a mouse mas (1898:280) noted the "Pelage excessively (Palmer, 1904) long, soft and silky, very like that of a Chin- callidus (L), crafty, cunning chilla both in colour and texture..." The genus name literally means beautiful mouse; it is unclear why Thomas associated Chroeomys andinus (Philippi, 1858) craftiness or cunning with this species. chroa, chroia, chros (Gr), surface of the body, skin, color of the skin + mys (Gr), a mouse Calomys callosus (Rengger, 1830) (Conisbee, 1953) call—kalos (Gr), beautiful, kallos, a beauty + andinus (NL), Andean, of the Andes -osus (L) termination denoting full of, prone The generic name refers to the striking color to, or pattern (Conisbee, 1953); the specific name is callosus— (L), hard-skinned, tough self explanatory. The species name may refer to the fact that this is a beautiful mouse, even though to the Chroeomys jelskii (Thomas, 1894) authors it does not appear particularly attrac- jelskii—a proper name tive; alternatively, the name may refer to the This species was named in honor of Mr. C. skin of the animal. We cannot verify the deri- Jelski who collected the type specimen in Peru. vation of the species name. Delomys dorsalis (Hensel, 1872) Calomys laucha (Fischer, 1814) del—delos (Gr), conspicuous, visible + mys laucha (Arg Sp), a mouse (Gr), a mouse (Conisbee, 1953) The species name is self explanatory. dorsalis (L), of the back, dorsum The genus and species names refer to the dark Calomys lepidus (Thomas, 1884) or black line (or band) sometimes present on lepidus (L), agreeable, pretty, graceful the middorsal region (Conisbee, 1953). The species name is self explanatory. marica (Thomas, 1918) (in- Calomys musculinus (Thomas, 1913) cluded in puerulus by Wilson and Reeder, musculus (NL), the species name of the house 1993) mouse + -inus (L) an adjectival suffix mean- eligm—eligma (Gr), winding, folding, also a ing "like" curl + odont—odous, genitive odontos (Gr), a The species name refers to the fact that this tooth + - (Gr/L), suffix added to nouns de- species resembles the house mouse. noting quality of or state of being (Palmer, 1904) Chelemys macronyx (Thomas, 1894) marica—a proper name chel—chele (Gr), claw + mys (Gr), a mouse The genus name refers to the occlusal pattern (Palmer, 1904) of the molars (Palmer, 1904); the species was macr—makros (Gr), long + onyx(Gr), nail, the two thousandth mammal named by claw Oldfield Thomas, and the species name refers The generic and specific names refer to the to his wife, Mary. Thomas (1918:484) noted long foreclaws of these mice, which are some- "And in appreciation of one important ele- times referred to as "long-clawed" mice ment in this pleasure, the sympathetic and (Palmer, 1904). ever-ready help of my wife, I have given this attractive little animal the aboye specific Chinchillula sahamae (Thomas, 1898) name." chinchilla—a large Andean + -ule, - ula (L) a diminutive suffix (Palmer, 1904) Eligmodontia moreni Thomas, 1896 sahamae—a geographical place name moreni—a proper name The genus name means a little chinchilla The species is named in honor of Dr. F.P. (Palmer, 1904); the species name refers to the Moreno, the head of the La Plata Museum, THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 195 who collected and presented the type speci- Geoxus valdivianus (Philippi, 1858) men to the British Museum. ge—ge, ga, gaia (Gr), the earth, land + ox— oxys (Gr), sharp (Conisbee, 1953) Eligmodontia morgani Allen, 1901 valdivia—a geographic name + -anus (L), an morgani—a proper name adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" This species was named in honor of Mr. J. The genus name alludes to the habit of these Pierrepont Morgan, who supported the mammals to make burrows in the ground and Princeton Patagonian Expedition during which to the sharp muzzle resembling that of the type specimen of this species was collected. (Conisbee, 1953); the species name is in reference to the type locality, Eligmodontia puerulus (Philippi, 1896) Valdivia Province, Chile. In the original de- puer (L), a boy or puerilus (L), youthful scription of the genus, Thomas (1919a) noted The species name refers to the small size of that it is allied to Oxymycterus, but more highly this species, which when first collected was modified for burrowing. thought to be a young Hesperomys lanatus (now darwini). Graomys domorum (Thomas, 1902) grao (Gr graus, -aos) old woman; old + mys Eligmodontia typus (F. Cuvier, 1837) (Gr), a mouse typ--typos (Gr ), model, example "Gra(y) (cf. specific trivial name+ pa, in álu- The species name refers to the fact that this sion to drab yellow colour" (Conisbee, 1953) species was type species of the genus. gra—Graia (Gr), gray + mys (Gr), a mouse dom(us) (L), house + -orum (L), genitive plu- Euneomys chinchilloides (Waterhouse, 1839) ral ending eu (Gr), well + neo—neos (Gr), new, recent + It is difficult to determine what Thomas meant mys (Gr), a mouse (Palmer, 1904) by the generic name. The aboye three con- chinchilla—a large Andean rodent + -oid = - structions are tenable. Thomas (1902:133) oides, a contraction of -o + eidos (Gr) denot- noted that "the series from Tapacari were all ing likeness of form caught in the house." Could it have been the The genus name literally means well-exem- house of an old woman? This would explain plifying a new mouse; the species name al- the first construction—"the mouse from the ludes to the similarity of this species to the house of the old lady." However, the fact that chinchilla. the species name is genitive plural seems to argue against this derivation. The construc- Euneomys fossor (Thomas, 1899) tion suggested by Conisbee (the second con- fossor (L), a digger struction) generally fits, although mice of this The species name refers to characteristics that genus are usually not yellow but are gray. Thus suggested specialization for a fossorial exist- we prefer the third construction. The generic ence. name would therefore be "the gray mouse"; the species name would refer to the fact that Euneomys mordax (Thomas, 1912) the specimen was taken in a house. Neverthe- mordax (L), biting less, the first construction would result from a We are unable to determine why Thomas used more whimsical Thomas, and perhaps it cor- this species name. rectly identifies his clever and humorous na- ture (Hill, 1990). Euneomys petersoni J. A. Allen, 1903 petersoni—a proper name The species name was given in honor of Mr. Graomys edithae (Thomas, 1919) Peterson, who collected the type specimen in editus (L), lofty, elevated 1897, in recognition of his field work in The species name is a possible reference to Patagonia. the type locality—Otro Cerro, Catamarca Prov- ince, Argentina, which had a elevation of 3000 196 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares m. Thomas appears to be consistent when Kuns, of the Middle American Research Unit, naming taxa in honor of individuals in mak- National Institutes of Health, who was in- ing reference to that individual in the pub- volved with the investigations of hemorrhagic lished description, therefore we doubt that it fever in Bolivia; the species name is possibly was named for someone named Edith, although a reference to the type specimen, which is there is no "h" in the Latin stem. known only from a partial skull—the anterior part of the cranium. Graomys griseoflavus (Waterhouse, 1837) griseus (ML), gray + flavus (L), yellow Nectomys squamipes (Brants, 1827) The species name refers to the color of the nect—nektos (Gr), swimming + mys (Gr), a animal. mouse (Palmer, 1904) squam—squama (L), a scale + pes—pous (Gr), Holochilus brasiliensis (Desmarest, 1819) foot hol—holos (Gr), whole, entire + chil—cheilos The genus name, swimming mouse, is a ref- (Gr), margin, lip (Palmer, 1904) erence to the webbed hind feet and the brasil—a reference to Brazil + -ensis (L), animal' s aquatic habits (Palmer, 1904); the adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" species name refers to the scaly aspect of the The generic name refers to the fact that the lip feet. of this species is entire, as Palmer (1904), quoting from the type description noted "ob Neotomys ebriosus (Thomas, 1894) labium superius integrum;" the specific name neo—neos (Gr), new, neoteros, newer, neatos, is self evident. newest + Otomys—a genus of rodent (Palmer, 1904) (Thomas, 1906) ebri—ebrius (L), drunk, sated, filled full + chaco—A region of Argentina, Bolivia, and -osus (L) termination denoting full of, prone Paraguay + -arius (L), suffix added to noun to stems to form adjectives denoting "belong- The genus name simply means the new ing to" Otomys; Thomas (1894) noted that it re- The specific name refers to the phytogeo- sembled Otomys; the species name likely re- graphic zone in which the species occurs. fers to the red nose of this species—like that thought to characterize long-term imbibers of Irenomys tarsalis (Philippi, 1900) alcoholic beverages. iren—Eirene (Gr), goddess of peace + mys (Gr), a mouse (Conisbee, 1953) Notiomys edwardsii (Thomas, 1890) tarsos (Gr), anide, fíat of the foot between the notio—notios (Gr), southern, from the south toes and the heel + -alis (L), a suffix added to + mys (Gr), a mouse (Palmer, 1904) noun stems to form adjectives meaning like edwardsii—a proper name The genus name was given at the end of World The genus name means southem mouse, in War I by O. Thomas (1919a:201) who sug- reference to the location of the type locality gested it "as a memento that its recognition south of Santa Cruz, Patagonia, Argentina; we coincided with the arrival of a glorious peace;" have been unable to determine for whom the the species name refers to the large feet of species is named. this species, which is largely arboreal in bam- boo forests of the southern rain forests of chacoensis (Myers and Carleton, Argentina and Chile. 1981) olig—oligos (Gr), little + Oryzomys—a genus Kunsia fronto (Winge, 1887) of rodent (Palmer, 1904) kunsia—a proper name (Conisbee, 1970) chaco—a region of Argentina, Bolivia, and front—frons, genitive frontis (L), forehead, Paraguay + -ensis (L), adjectival suffix mean- brow ing "belonging to" The genus is named in honor of Dr. Merle L. THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 197

The genus Oligoryzomys contains species of The species name is self explanatory. "little rice mice" or "little Otyzomys" (Palmer, 1904); the species name refers to the area of Oryzomys buccinatus (Olfers, 1818) distribution of the species in the Chacoan re- oryz—oryza (Gr), rice + mys (Gr), a mouse gion of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Para- (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) guay. bucc—bucca (L), cheek + introrsus = in (L), toward the inside + atus—atu (L), adjectival Oligotyzomys delticola (Thomas, 1917) suffix meaning "with" delta—referrring to the Delta (of the Río The genus name, rice mouse, is a reference to Paraná) + -icola (NL), an inhabitant the damage to rice fields caused by this mouse The species name refers to the area of distri- (Palmer, 1904); we have been unable to de- bution of the species in the delta region formed termine the meaning of the species name. by the Río Paraná in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. Otyzomys intermedius (Leche, 1886) inter (L), between + medius, (L), middle (Tschudi, 1844) We have been unable to determine the mean- destructor (L), destroyer ing of the species name; it is perhaps a refer- We have been unable to determine the mean- ence to characteristics intermediate between ing of the species name; perhaps it is a refer- two species of Otyzomys. ence to the destruction of crops by many members of the genus Oryzomys. Oryzomys legatus (Thomas, 1925) legatus (L), ambassador Oligoryzomys flavescens (Waterhouse, 1837) Thomas (1925:578) noted that this species flavus (L), yellow + -escen (L), adjectival was an "animal seeming to be a representa- tennination of a verb meaning slightly tive (= ambassador) in S. Bolivia of the Bra- The species name refers to the coloration of zilian O. intermedius"—parenthetical ma- this mouse, which is brownish mixed with terial added by us. yellow. Oryzomys ratticeps (Hensel, 1873) Oligotyzomys longicaudatus (Bennett, 1832) ratt—rattus (L), rat + ceps (NL), head long—longus (L), long + caud—cauda (L), The species name refers to the head of this the tail + -atus (L), an adjectival suffix mean- species being ratlike, giving the species a ing "provided with" general appearance similar to Rattus. The species name refers to the very long tail. Oxymycterus akodontius (Thomas, 1921) Oligotyzomys magellanicus (Bennett, 1836) oxy—oxys (Gr), sharp + myct—mykter, magellan—pertaining to the Straits of Magel- genitive mykteros (Gr), the nose, snout lan or Magellanes Province, Chile + -icus (L), (Palmer, 1904) an adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" akodont—referring to the akodont group The species name refers to the region of the + -ius a suffix meaning "like" type locality, Port Famine, Straits of Magellan, The genus name, sharp nose, is a reference to Magallanes Province, Chile. the long, pointed nose (Palmer, 1904); the species refers to the fact that this species Oligoryzomys microtis (Allen, 1916) strongly resembles members of the genus micr—mikros (Gr), small + ous, otos (Gr), Akodon. ear The species name refers to its very small ears. Oxymycterus hispidus (Pictet, 1843) hispidus (L), spiny, shaggy, rough Oligotyzomys nigripes (Olfers, 1818) The species names reflects the texture of the nigr—niger (L), black, dark + pes—pous (Gr), pelage of this mouse. foot 198 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares

Oxymycterus iheringi Thomas, 1896 locality, Asillo ("Osila"), Puno, Peru. iheringi—a proper name This species was named in honor of Dr. H. Phyllotis xanthopygus (Waterhouse, 1837) von Ihering, who served as director of the S_o xanth—xanthos (Gr), yellow, yellowish-red, Paulo Museum, Brazil, and who obtained the orange, golden + pyg—pyge (Gr), rump type specimen. The species name refers to the buffy rump of this species. Oxymycterus paramensis (Thomas, 1902) param—referring to the paramos of the high simplex (Winge, 1887) Andes + -ensis (L), adjectival suffix meaning pseud—pseudes (Gr), false, deceptive + "belonging to" oryzomys—a genus of rodent (Conisbee, 1964) The species name refers to the general region simplex (L), simple of the type locality, the high paramos of The genus name refers to this mouse as being Choquecamate, 4000 m, in the Andes of Bo- deceptively like Oryzomys; we have not been livia. able to determine the meaning of the species name, although it is possible that it is a refer- Oxymycterus rufus (Fischer, 1814) ence to the molariform teeth, which are sim- rufus (L), red, reddish pler than those of members of the genus The species name reflects the general colora- Oryzomys. tion of this mouse, reddish or ochraceous. Reithrodon auritus (Fischer, 1814) Phyllotis bonaeriensis (Crespo, 1964) reithr—rheithron (Gr), a stream or channel + phyll—phyllon (Gr), a leaf + ous, otos (Gr), odont—odous, genitive odontos (Gr), a tooth ear (Palmer, 1904) (Palmer, 1904) bonus (L.), good + aer (L.), air+ -ensis (L), auritus (L), eared adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" The genus name, channel tooth, is a reference AB members of the genus Phyllotis are char- to the grooved incisors (Palmer, 1904); the acterized by large ears. They are collectively species name refers to its large ears. known as leaf-eared mice (Palmer, 1904). The species name refers to the geographic region Rhipidomys austrinus (Thomas, 1921) of Buenos Aires, Argentina (literally "good rhipid—rhipis, genitive rhipidos (Gr), a fan + air," in Spanish). mys (Gr), a mouse (Palmer, 1904) austrinus (L), southern Phyllotis caprinus (Pearson, 1958) We have been unable to determine the mean- capri—a proper name + -inus (L) suffix added ing of the genus name; the species name re- to noun stems to form adjectives meaning like fers to the distribution of this species, which or "belonging to" was a considerable southern extension. The species is named for the Tropic of Cap- ricorn that passes through its range, as well as Salinomys delicatus (Braun and Mares, 1995) for the goat (Capra) herds that are widespread sal (L), genitive salis, salt + mys (Gr), a mouse in the arid scrub and cactus habitat where P. delicatus (L), delicate caprinus lives (Pearson, 1958:435). The genus name reflects the preferred habitat near areas of salt flats; the species name re- Phyllotis darwini (Waterhouse, 1837) fers to its delicate, dainty appearance. darwini—a proper name This species was named in honor of Charles tumidus (Waterhouse, 1837) Darwin. scapt—skapter (Gr), a digger + mys (Gr), a mouse (Palmer, 1904) Phyllotis osilae (J.A. Allen, 1901) tumidus (L), swollen osilae—a proper name The genus name, digger mouse, is a reference The species name is a reference to the type to the large claws used for digging (Palmer, THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 199

1904); the species name possibly refers to the to the long ears and soft fur (Palmer, 1904); inflated frontal sinuses. the species name is colloquial Spanish for this species. Wilfredomys pictipes (Osgood, 1933) wilfredomys—a proper name + mys (Gr) a Lagidium wolffsohni (Thomas, 1907) mouse (Conisbee, 1964) wolffsohni—a proper name pict—pictus (L), painted + pes—pous (Gr), Named in honor of Mr. J.A. Wolffsohn, foot C.M.Z.S, who collected and presented a se- The genus was named for Wilfred Hudson ries of specimens to the British Museum. Osgood, mammalogist at the Field Museum, Thomas (1907:441) noted that "With charac- who wrote widely on South American mam- teristic modesty Mr. Wolffsohn has suggested mals; the species name refers to the "painted" that the species should be named after Mr. or bicolored feet found in some individuals. McClelland, the President of his Company, to whom he owed the pleasure of his trip to Suborder Hystricognathi Patagonia, but in view of the immense amount Family Erethizontidae of help we have received from Mr. Wolffsohn, Coendou prehensilis (Linnaeus, 1758) I have ventured to disregard his request, and coendou—a Brazilian native name for the to narne this fine animal after him." porcupine (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) prehens—prehensus (L), seized + -i/is (L) Lagostomus maximus (Desmarest, 1817) adjectival form denoting capability (Gotch, lag—lagos (Gr), a hare + stom—stoma (Gr), 1979) the mouth (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) The genus name is self evident; the species maximus (L), the largest (Gotch, 1979) name is a reference to the prehensile tail that The genus name, hare mouth, is a reference to is used in tree climbing (Gotch, 1979). the similarity of the mouth to that of a hare or rabbit (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); the spe- Sphiggurus spinosus (F. Cuvier, 1823) cies name is self evident. sphigg—sphingo (Gr), to bind + ur—oura (Gr), tail (Palmer, 1904) Family Caviidae spinosus (L), thorny Subfamily Caviinae The genus name is a reference to the prehen- Cavia aperea (Erxleben, 1777) sile tail (Palmer, 1904); the species name re- cavia—sawiya (Tupi), a rat (Gotch, 1979); fers to the spines found on the body. Palmer (1904) a native name aper (L), pig (Gotch, 1979) Family Chinchillidae The genus name became qaviá in Portuguese, Chinchilla brevicaudata (Waterhouse, 1848) then became savia, from which Cavia was chinchilla—a Spanish name for this animal, derived (Gotch, 1979); the species name re- probably derived from the Quechua Indians fers to the chubby piglike body of the animal. _(Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) brev—brevis (L), short + caud—cauda (L), Cavia tschudii (Fitzinger, 1857) the tail tschudi—a proper name The genus name is self evident; the species This species was named in honor of Johann name refers to the short tail, which is shorter Jacob von Tschudi, a naturalist who travelled than that of C. lanigera. in Peru between 1838-1843 and published an account of his travels and scientific accounts Lagidium viscacia (Molina, 1782) of the mammals. lagidion (Gr), diminutive lagos, a hare (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) Galea musteloides (Meyen, 1832) viscacha (NL) from American-Spanish gale—galee (L), an animal of the weasel kind vizcacha (Palmer, 1904) The genus name, "small hare", is a reference mustel—muste/a (L) weasel + -oid = -oides, a 200 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares contraction of Gr -o + eidos denoting likeness Family Hydrochaeridae of form, a thing that is like Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris (Linnaeus, 1766) The genus and species describe the fact that hydr—hydor (Gr), water + chaer—choiros Meyen apparently appeared to see a similarity (Gr), a young pig (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) between these chubby little and wea- The genus name, water pig, is a reference to sels. this animal's app.earance and aquatic habits (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979). Microcavia australis (I. Geoffroy and d'Orbigny, 1833) Family Dasyproctidae micr—mikros (Gr), small + cavia—sawiya Dasyprocta azarae (Lichtenstein, 1823) (Tupi), a rat (Palmer, 1904) dasy—dasys (Gr), hairy, shaggy + proct— australis (L), southern proktos (Gr), the hindpart, the rump (Palmer, The genus name, small cavia, is a reference to 1904; Gotch, 1979) the similarity to members of the genus, Cavia, azar—a proper name although members of this genus are smaller; The genus name, meaning hairy rump, refers the species name is a reference to the general to the the hairs of the rump that are usually region of the type locality, Patagonia, the longer and conspicuously colored (Gotch, southern part of South America. 1979). The species was named in honor of Felix de Azara, a Spanish naturalist from the Microcavia shiptoni (Thomas, 1925) late 1700s who worked in Brazil and Para- shiptoni—a proper name guay (see notes on Ctenomys azarae). Named in honor of Mr. S. Shipton, a well known ornithologist, who collected and pre- Dasyprocta punctatus Gray, 1842 sented the specimen to the British Museum. punctatus (L), spotted The species name refers to the lightly spotted Subfamily Dolichotinae dorsum. Dolichotis patagonum (Zimmermann, 1780) dolich—do/ich (Gr), long + ous, otos (Gr), Family Agoutidae ear (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) Agouti paca (Linnaeus, 1766) patagon—referring to Patagonia (Gotch, 1979) agutí or acutí (South American Spanish), at- The genus name, long ear, is a reference to tentive or vigilant (Palmer, 1904) the ears, which are longer than in other mem- paca—(Tupi), a South American Spanish bers of the family (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, name derived from the Tupi (Gotch, 1979); 1979); the species name refers to its general Palmer (1904) paca (Sp, Port) from pak, paq distribution, Patagonia (Gotch, 1979). (Brazilian), the native name for this species The genus name possibly refers to its habits; Pediolagus salinicola (included in Dolichotis the species name is self explanatory. by Wilson and Reeder, 1993) pedi—pedion (Gr), plain, pedios, dweller of Family Ctenomyidae the plains + lagos (Gr), a hare (Conisbee, 1953; Ctenomys argentinus (Contreras and Berry, Gotch, 1979) 1982) sal (L), genitive salis, salt + -icola (NL), an cten—kteis (Gr), genitive ktenos, a rake or inhabitant (Gotch, 1979) comb + mys (Gr), a mouse (Palmer, 1904; The genus and species names, hare of the salt Gotch, 1979) plains, is a reference to the general distribu- argentin—referring to Argentina + -inus (L) tion of this species (Gotch, 1979). It inhabits adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" the arid chaco of Bolivia, Paraguay, and Ar- The genus name, comb mouse, is a reference gentina, an area with many saline habitats. to the large fringes on the claws of the hind feet (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); the species name refers to the country of the type local- ity, Argentina. THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 201

Ctenomys australis (Rusconi, 1934) Ctenomys emilianus (Thomas and St. Leger, australis (L), southem 1926) The species name refers to the southem distri- emilianus—a proper name bution of this species, Buenos Aires Province, The species was named in honor of Emilio Argentina. Budin. Thomas and St. Leger (1926:638) "Remembering the very special interest Sr. Ctenomys azarae (Thomas, 1903) Budin has taken in this widely spread genus, azarae—a proper name and his remarkable success in discovering new This species was named in honor of Felix de forms of it, I have great pleasure in basing the Azara. Thomas (1903:229) noted that this name of this particularly fine tuco-tuco on his species "is no doubt the Tuco-tuco whose Christian name, as a small tribute to his work." history is given in Azara'a famous work on the Mammals of Paraguay; and it is with the Ctenomys frater (Thomas, 1902) greatest pleasure that I take this opportunity frater (L), brother for naming a species in honour of that natu- The species name is a reference to i t s ralist, for whom I have always felt the most similarites to other species of Ctenomys sincere admiration. No one who has read his Thomas made comparisons with opimus, book, as I have again and again, can fail to be tucumanus, and perrensi. attracted by his character, his naiveté, and his genuine love of his subject, or to admire the Ctenomys fulvus (Philippi, 1860) excellence and accuracy of his descriptions, fulvus (L), tawny, reddish-yellow which, while innocent of technicalities, were The species name refers to the buffy color of better than any others of his date, and indeed this species. than many of those produced by technical zoologists for half a century later". Ctenomys haigi (Thomas, 1917) haigi—a proper name Ctenomys boliviensis (Waterhouse, 1848) Named in honor of General Sir Douglas Haig, boliv—referring to Bolivia + -ensis (L), ad- who was Commander-in-Chief of the British jectival suffix meaning "belonging to" Armies. The species name is a reference to country of the type locality, Bolivia. Ctenomys fochi (Thomas, 1919) (included in mendocinus by Wilson and Reeder, 1993) Ctenomys benettoi (Contreras and Berry, 1982) fochi—a proper name benettoi—a proper name Named in honor of Gen. Foch "whose genius This species was named in honor of Dr. victory in the recent great struggle has been Argentino A. Bonetto, past president of the so greatly accelerated"(Thomas, 1919b:118). Argentine Ecological Society. Ctenomys knightii (Thomas, 1919) Ctenomys colburni (J. A. Allen, 1903) knightii-a proper name colburni—a proper name This species was named in honor of Col. C. The species was named in honor of Mr. E.A. Morley Knight, "by whom, in conjunction with Colburn, who was a member of the Princeton his partner Col. J.J. Porteous, the explorations University Expeditions to Patagonia in 1898. of Messrs. Kemp and Budin have been so much facilitated in various ways" (Thomas, Ctenomys conoveri (Osgood, 1946) 1919c:499). conoveri—a proper name The species was named in honor of Mr. Ctenomys latro (Thomas, 1918) Boardman Conover, who presented the type lacro_ (L), hireling, robber specimen and a collection of mammals from We are unable to determine the meaning of Paraguay. the species name from the original descrip- tion. 202 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares

Ctenomys magellanicus (Bennett, 1836) This species was named in honor of Mr. Don magellan—a geographic place name; -icus (L), Cecil Porteous, who with Col. J.J. Porteous, adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" aided the collecting efforts of Mr. Kemp. The species name is a reference to the type locality, Bahía de San Gregorio, Magallanes, Ctenomys saltarius (Thomas, 1912) Chile. saltarius—a geographic place name The species name refers to Salta, Salta Prov- Ctenomys maulinus (Philippi, 1872) ince, Argentina, the type locality. Maule—a geographic place name + -inus (L) suffix meaning "belonging to" Ctenomys sericeus (J.A. Allen, 1903) The species name is a reference to the type sericeus (L), silken, silky locality, Laguna de Maule, Talca Province, The species name is a reference to its soft, Chile. short, silky fur.

Ctenomys mendocinus (Philippi, 1869) Ctenomys sociabilis (Pearson and Christie, mendo--a geographic place name + -inus (L) 1985) suffix meaning "belonging to" sociabilis (L), companionable The species name is a reference to the type The species name reflects the colonial habits locality, Mendoza, Mendoza Province, Argen- of this tuco-tuco. tina. Ctenomys talarum (Thomas, 1898) Ctenomys minutus (Nehring, 1887) talarum—a geographical place name minutus (L), minute, small The species name refers to the type locality, The species name is self explanatory. Las Talas, Ensenada, La Plata, Argentina.

Ctenomys occultus (Thomas, 1920) Ctenomys torquatus (Lichtenstein, 1830) occu/tus (L), hidden, concealed torquatus (L), adorned with a necklace or The species name likely refers to its similarity collar (Gotch, 1979) to C. juris, a species now included in C. The species name is a reference to the whitish mendocinus. or yellowish collar found on most individuals.

Ctenomys opimus (Wagner, 1848) Ctenomys tuconax (Thomas, 1925) opimus (L), well-fed tuco—a common name for members of this The species name is derived from a compari- genus + onax—anax (Gr), king son made with Ctenomys brasiliensis, in which The species name refers to the large size of the hair of C. opimus was noted to be extraor- this tuco-tuco compared with the other spe- dinarily ample, long, loose, and lax. cies in the general region.

Ctenomys perrensis (Thomas, 1898) Ctenomys tucumanus (Thomas, 1900) perrensis—a proper name tucumanus—a geographic place name This species was named in honor of its col- The species name refers to the type locality, lector Mr. Richard Perrens. Tucumán, Argentina.

Ctenomys pontifex (Thomas, 1918) Ctenomys validus (Contreras, Roig, and pontifex (L), high priest, bridge builder Suzarte, 1977) We are unable to determine the meaning of válido (Sp), valid the species name from the original descrip- The species name is in reference to the fact tion. that this species is a valid species from near the city of Mendoza, Argentina, although it is Ctenomys porteousi (Thomas, 1916) in a complex group having many named spe- porteousi—a proper name cies. THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 203

Family Octodontidae kome (Gr), hair (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) Aconaemys fuscus (Waterhouse, 1842) ciner—cinis (L), genitive cineris, ashes; akone (Gr), whetstone + mys (Gr), a mouse cinereus, ash-colored (Palmer, 1904) The genus name, soft fur, is a reference to the fuscus (L), brown, dusky, dark, swarthy dense soft, silky underfur (Palmer, 1904; We were unable to determine the meaning of Gotch, 1979); the species name refers to its the genus name, although it could refer to the coloration, gray. teeth; the species name is self explanatory. Family Echimyidae Aconaemys sagei (Pearson, 1984) Kannabateomys amblyonyx (Wagner, 1845) sagei—a proper name kann—kanna (Gr), reed + bat—bates (Gr), one This species was named in honor of Richard that treads or haunts + mys (Gr), a mouse Sage for his contributions to Argentine verte- (Palmer, 1904) brate biology. ambl—amblys (Gr), blunt + onyx(Gr), nail, claw Octodontomys gliroides (Gervais and The genus name is literally the mouse that d'Orbigny, 1844) lives in the reeds; the species is self evident. octo—octo (L), eight + odont—odous, genitive odontos (Gr), a tooth + mys (Gr), a mouse Euryzygomatomys spinosus (G. Fischer, 1814) (Palmer, 1904) eury—ewys (Gr), wide, broad + (zygomatic glir—g/is, genitive gliris (L), dormouse + - bone from) zyg—zygon (Gr), a yoke, a join- oid = -oides, a contraction of Gr -o + eidos ing together + mys (Gr), a mouse (Palmer, denoting likeness of form 1904; Gotch, 1979) The genus name means literally an eight spinosus (L), spiny toothed or octodont mouse, the molars are The genus name, the wide-cheeked mouse, is shaped like the numeral eight; the species a reference to the broad zygomatic bone name refers to the dormouse-appearance of (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); the species name this animal. is a reference to the spiny hairs found inter- spersed in the pelage. Octomys mimax (Thomas, 1920) octo—octo (L), eight + mys (Gr), a mouse Family Myocastoridae (Conisbee, 1953) Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) mim—mimus (L), mimic + -ax (L), a tendency mys (Gr), a mouse + castor—kastor (Gr), a The genus name is in reference to the distinc- beaver (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) tive 8-shaped cheek-teeth (Conisbee, 1953); coypu—South American Indian name for this the species name refers to its strong resem- species (Gotch, 1979) blance to Octodontomys gliroides. The genus name means literally the beaver mouse (Gotch, 1979); the species name is self Tympanoctomys barrerae (Lawrence, 1941) explanatory. tympan—tympanon (Gr), drum + Octomys- a genus of rodent (Conisbee, 1964) Order Lagomorpha barrerae—a proper name Family Leporidae The genus name means the Octomys (a genus Sylvilagus brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758) of mouse with 8-shaped molars) with very sylv—sylva (L), wood + lagos (Gr), a hare large tympanic bullae; the species was named (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979) in honor of Sr. J.M. de la Barrera, who facili- brasil—a reference to Brazil + -ensis (L), tated the obtaining of the type specimen. adjectival suffix meaning "belonging to" The genus name means literally the wood hare Family Abrocomidae (Palmer, 1904; Gotch, 1979); the species name Abrocoma cinerea (Thomas, 1919) is self explanatory. abr—habros (Gr), soft, luxurious + com- 204 Janet K. Braun and Michael A. Mares

DISCUSSION (perspicillatus) thrill for the mammalogist, A review of this material provides an appre- whether that person be young (puerulus), or ciation of both the diversity of Argentina's old (Graomys) and gray (griseus). mammals and the history of the area. The many taxonomists and naturalists who have ACKNOWLEGMENTS named the species and genera, or who have We appreciate the helpful comments of Dr. had such taxa named in honor of them, reflect Calvin Byre, specialist in classical languages a wide variety of people from many nations and literature. Work began on this manuscript throughout more than two centuries of field while the authors were doing field work in work in the country. In addition, the rich his- Argentina sponsored by grants from the Na- tory of native peoples (the first mammalogists tional Geographic Society (4820-92) to M. A. on the continent) also is reflected in the taxo- Mares, and a grant from the University of nomic record—native names for species and Oklahoma Reseach Council to M. A. Mares genera are quite common in the published and J. K. Braun. taxonomy. New names are still being given as new taxa LITERTURE CITED are found, and these reflect the popular desire to name taxa for geographic places (e.g., AZARA, F. de. 1801. Essais sur l'histoire Andalgalomys), for great naturalists (e.g., naturelle des quadrupédes de la Prov- Andalgalomys olrogi), for the person first ince du Paraguay. Translated from the collecting the new species (e.g., Aconaemys original Spanish by M.L.E. Moreau- sagei), or as descriptions of habitats or mor- Saint-Mercy. Charles Pougens, Paris, phological aspects of the taxa (e.g., Salinomys vol. 1, xxvii + 366 pp., vol. 2, 499 pp. delicatus). Perhaps by reviewing the varied BARQUEZ, R.M. 1987. Los murciélagos de and colorful etymology of the Argentine fauna, Argentina. Unpublished Ph.D. dissert., taxonomists will be encouraged to name those Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e taxa that still lie undiscovered in museum Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad drawers (e.g., Molossops neglectus) or that are Nacional de Tucumán, Argentina, 525 as yet unrecognized species within taxonomi- pp. cally rich species groups (e.g., Ctenomys validus). We may yet discover the smallest or BARQUEZ, R.M., N.P. GIANN1NI, and M.A. the largest members of particular genera (e.g., MARES. 1993. Guide to the bats of Akodon diminutus and Lagostomus maximus, Argentina. Oklahoma Museum of Natu- respectively), and there are certainly species ral History, Norman, 119 pp. known to native peoples that are as yet un- BARQUEZ, R.M., M.A. MARES, and R.A. known to science (e.g., Cabassous tatouay, OJEDA. 1991. The mammals of Tucu- Catagonus_wagneri, Chinchilla brevicauda). mán (Mamíferos de Tucumán). Special We owe a great debt of gratitude to the many Publication, Oklahoma Museum of mammalogists from many countries who have Natural History, Norman, Oklahoma, labored so long, and often with difficulty, to 282 pp. clarify Argentina's complex mammal fauna, yet many new taxa of mammals remain to be BONNER, W.N. 1981. Southem fur seals. Arctocephalus (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire discovered that are elegant (T. elegans), lovely and Cuvier, 1826). Pp. 161-208. In: (Calomys), and beautiful (Caluromys). They Handbook of marine mammals. Vol. 1 will be found to swim (Chironectes), to bur- The walrus, sea lions, fur seals and sea row (Geoxus), and to fly (Eptesicus). They really are still out there, in the chaco (B. otter (S.H. Ridgway and R.J. Harrison, F.R.S., eds.). Academic Press, New chacoensis), the forests (T. sylvicola), or the in the Andes (C._andinus). The only certainty York, 235 pp. is that their discovery will be a spectacular THE MAMMALS OF ARGENTINA: AN ETYMOLOGY 205

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