The delicate salt flat mouse[2] (Salinomys delicatus; Spanish: el ratón delicado de los salares[3]) is a sigmodontine rodent species in the family Cricetidae from South America.
[4] Its habitat is scrublands bordering salt flats (such as those of the Salinas Grandes) in the Monte Desert area of central western Argentina at elevations around 400 m.[1][5] The closest relatives of the species are the chaco mice (Andalgalomys).
[8] Due to an X-autosome translocation, S. delicatus has an XY1Y2 sex chromosome system, rare in mammals.
Given that close relative Andalgalomys pearsoni has the highest known diploid number (78) of the tribe, it appears that major chromosome restructuring occurred during the evolution of the Andalgalomys-Salinomys clade.
[8] While not formally assessing its conservation status, the IUCN has stated, "This species occurs in a very narrow range of ecological requirements (salt flats) which are severely fragmented and which could be threatened by human disturbance.