A new species of grass mouse, genus Akodon (Muridae : Sigmodontinae), fromMendoza Province, Argentina

Examination of a collection of specimens of Akodon from central Argentina r esulted in the recognition of a new species. This species inhabits lower el evations in Mendoza Province, Argentina, in a zone that has undergone great habitat conversion due to agricultural development. Descriptions of crania l, dental, and external morphology are presented. The new species, which is tentatively assigned to the "varius group" of Akodon, is compared with ano ther member of the group, Akodon molinae, which also occurs in the region.