Cavia aperea patzelti Schliemann, 1982 Caviidae Don E. Wilson Thomas E. Lacher, Jr Russell A. Mittermeier 7JGJV Schliemann, 1982 Schliemann 1982 Schliemann 1982 [1846,2102,2836,2882] Mammalia Caviidae Cavia Animalia Rodentia 2 433 Chordata species patzelti    4.    Sacha Guinea Pig    French: Cobaye de Patzelt/ German: Patzelt-Meerschweinchen/ Spanish: Cobaya de Patzelt   Taxonomy. Cavia aperea patzelti Schliemann, 1982,   “Hochkordillere von Alao, Provinz Chimborazo, Equador,” Alao, Chimborazo, Ecuador.  H. Schliemann noted morphological differences between this species and other Caviataxa, but assigned it to aperea. J. L. Dunnum and J. Salazar-Bravo in 2010 supported the elevation to species based upon molecular and karyological data. Monotypic.    Distribution.Chimborazo Mt, C Ecuador. Observations suggest its presence beyond the type locality.   Descriptive notes.Head-body 280-290 mm, ear 50 mm, hindfoot 46-50 mm; weight 700-725 g. Greatest lengths of skull are 63-69 mm. Back of the Sacha Guinea Pig is dark reddish drown.   Habitat.High-elevation paramo in Ecuador at elevations of 3000-3800 m (type locality). This area has marshy areas and grassy slopes, with some forests of Polylepus ( Rosaceae).   Food and Feeding.The Sacha Guinea Pig is herbivorous and associated with Stipa (Poaceae).   Breeding.There is no information available for this species.   Activity patterns.There is no information available for this species.   Movements, Home range and Social organization.There is no information available for this species.   Status and Conservation.The Sacha Guinea Pig has not yet been classified as a distinct species on The IUCN Red List. At the time of the last [UCN assessment, the Sacha Guinea Pig was included as a form of the Brazilian Guinea Pig (C. aperea), but it was not named or formally assessed as a subspecies.   Bibliography.Dunnum (2015), Dunnum & Salazar-Bravo (2010a), Schliemann (1982). 3784487304 2 433