Defua rats
| Defua rats | ||||||||||||
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| Dephomys | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1926 |
The Defua rats ( Dephomys ) are a genus of rodents from the group of old world mice (Murinae). The genus includes two types.
Defua rats have a brown coat, the flanks are slightly lighter and the underside is white. The face is long and pointed, the ears are small and in fact hairless, the tail is very long. The animals reach a head body length of 11 to 15 centimeters, the tail measures 18 to 22 centimeters and the weight is 30 to 60 grams.
Defua rats are native to western Africa , and their range extends from Sierra Leone to Ghana . They inhabit tropical forests and prefer swampy areas with dense vegetation. They are nocturnal and can climb well. The diet of these animals consists mainly of fruits, but they also eat insects.
The two types are:
- Dephomys defua , which is widespread from Sierra Leone to Ghana, and
- Dephomys eburnea , which is only found in Liberia and Ivory Coast.
The split in two ways is controversial. Sometimes they are also grouped into a common species. The IUCN , which also does this, classifies the common species as "not endangered" ( least concern ).
The Defua rats are systematically included in the Hybomys group .
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
- Dephomys defua onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved May 29, 2009.