Necromys benefactus Thomas 1919

Wilson, Don E. & Reeder, DeeAnn, 2005, Order Rodentia - Family Cricetidae, Mammal Species of the World: a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3 rd Edition), Volume 2, Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, pp. 955-1189 : 1129

Necromys benefactus Thomas 1919

Necromys benefactus Thomas 1919 , Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. Lond., ser. 9, 3: 214.

Type Locality: Argentina, Buenos Aires Prov., Bonifacio (= Laguna Alsina as per Galliari and Pardiñas, 2000), 50 m.

Vernacular Names: Argentine Akodont.

Distribution: Isolated populations in Córdoba, La Pampa, and Buenos Aires provinces, EC Argentina.

Discussion: Relegated to a subspecies of obscurus by Cabrera (1961) and Reig (1978), but Massoia and Fornes (1967) considered the two as distinct species. Distribution documented based on vouchered specimens and clear morphological segregation from N. obscurus underscored by Galliari and Pardiñas (2000). The latter authors regarded the fossil conifer Ameghino as the probable senior synonym for this species but elected to retain benefactus Thomas as the valid name for reasons of familiarity; the possibility of their synonymy requires firm demonstration, with formal suppression of or replacement by the senior name if so.