Ecuadorian Cotton Rat vs Gadwall

Sigmodon inopinatus compared with Mareca strepera

Key Differences

• Ecuadorian Cotton Rat is Vulnerable while Gadwall is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Ecuadorian Cotton Rat	Gadwall
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Anseriformes (Anseriformes)
Family	Cricetidae	Anatidae
Genus	Sigmodon	Mareca
Species	Sigmodon inopinatus	Mareca strepera

Evolutionary Relationship

Ecuadorian Cotton Rat and Gadwall share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Ecuadorian Cotton Rat

VU — Vulnerable

Gadwall

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Ecuadorian Cotton Rat	Gadwall
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Ecuadorian Cotton Rat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Ecuador. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Gadwall

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Colombia).

Gadwall

Gadwall (Mareca strepera) is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Widespread and abundant across its range, with stable populations and no immediate conservation concerns.