Aquatic rat
The aquatic rat, Ecuador fish-eating rat, fish-eating rat or Ecuadoran ichthyomyine (Anotomys leander) is a South American species of semiaquatic rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the genus Anotomys. This species is currently considered endangered. It is thought to be nocturnal and feeds on aquatic arthropods and insects. It is found in small ranges along the Andes. Taxonomy Anotomys leander is the only member of its genus, which belongs the tribe Ichthyomyini, subfamily Sigmodontinae and family Cricetidae. The ichthyomyines are semiaquatic carnivorous rodents that are found in South America from Mexico to Peru. Habitat A. leander has a very small range, the smallest range of the ichthyomyines. Very few specimens have been captured so the full extent of its habitat and range is not completely known; the range is estimated at . The species is found in northern Ecuador along the Andes mountains; however, it has also been found at a single locality in Colombia. Individuals have only been found at elevations of . Their habitat is primarily wetlands that have streams, but also includes grassy paramo and mossy elfin forest edge. Every known specimen has been found near running water. Biology The aquatic rat