The primordial tapecua (Tapecomys primus) is a species of medium-sized rodent in the family Cricetidae.

The type locality is in southeastern Bolivia.

[1] Two specimens were found in 1991 in a forested region at an elevation of 1500 m near the village of Tapecua in the Tarija Department of Bolivia.

[3] A few additional specimens have been found since, from the type locality[3] and from a location in Jujuy Province, northern Argentina.

[2] The holotype is held at the Museum of Southwestern Biology at the University of New Mexico MSB:Mamm:239826