Bark climber

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Bark climber
Schadenberg's bark rat (Crateromys schadenbergi)

Schadenberg's bark rat ( Crateromys schadenbergi )

Systematics
Subordination : Mouse relatives (Myomorpha)
Superfamily : Mice-like (Muroidea)
Family : Long-tailed mice (Muridae)
Subfamily : Old World Mice (Murinae)
Tribe : Phloeomyini
Genre : Bark climber
Scientific name
Crateromys
Thomas , 1895

The bark climbers ( Crateromys ) are a genus of very large rodents in the Philippines . In English, they are known under names such as Cloudrunner or Cloud rats (cloud runners, cloud rats ) because of their habitat in the canopy region of mountain rainforests .

There are four known species of this genus. Only one (Schadenberg's bark rat) has been researched reasonably well, the other three are largely puzzling rarities:

Schadenberg's bark rat

After the giant bark rats ( Phloeomys ), this is the largest rodent in the Philippines. Its head body length is 33 to 39 centimeters, plus 36 to 47 centimeters of tail. The extremely dense and woolly fur is very variable. Most often it is brown or black on the top and gray on the underside. Often there are white spots or a wide white horizontal stripe in the shoulder area. The tail is very hairy and bushy, which is unique in the long-tailed mouse family to this extent.

Schadenberg's bark rat is quite common in the northern mountain rainforests of the island of Luzon. Since the distribution is very limited and the forest is also threatened by deforestation, it is by the IUCN (still considered "high risk" endangered ) out. She is nocturnal and sleeps in tree hollows during the day. Their calls are so shrill and high that they are reminiscent of the sounds of cicadas . The food is tree bark, buds and fruits. Because of its fur, this bark rat is hunted by some locals; the fur is then sold in local markets.

The other types

The Dinagat bark rat is only known from a single specimen found on the island of Dinagat (north of Mindanao ). With a head body length of 26 centimeters and a 28 centimeter long tail, it is significantly smaller than Schadenberg's bark rat. No further information is known about the species. The IUCN lists them as " critically endangered ".

It was not until 1996 that the Panay bark rat was described as the last of the species. Few specimens of this very rare animal have been found in the western mountains of Panay Island. They were about the same size as the aforementioned species and had a brown coat. This species is "critically endangered" ( endangered )

The Ilin bark rat is also known from only one specimen found on the tiny island of Ilin south of Mindoro. The zoologist Pritchard searched the island for further specimens in 1988, but found none and then declared the puzzling species to be extinct. However, unconfirmed reports indicate that this species is also native to Mindoro itself, from where no bark climbers have been known to date. The only known specimen had a head body length of 25 centimeters and a 21 centimeter long tail. The fur was gray-brown on the top and white on the underside.

Systematics

In the past, bark climbers were counted among the "bark rats" that have since been dissolved. Today they are classified in the Phloeomys genus group , an ancient radiation of the old world mice that is widespread in the Philippines .

literature

  • Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
  • Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .

Web links

Commons : Barkkletterer ( Crateromys )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files
  • Crateromys on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved October 18, 2009.