Dark rice rats
| Dark rice rats | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Melanomys | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1902 |
The dark rice rats ( Melanomys ) are a genus of rodents from the New World mouse group that lives in Central and South America . It comprises three types, the systematics being controversial.
The name-giving feature of these animals is their dark, black-brown fur . The underside is a little lighter, but does not contrast as strongly as in related species. These animals reach a head-trunk length of 10 to 14 centimeters and a tail length of 9 to 11 centimeters, the weight is 47 to 60 grams.
There are three known types:
- Melanomys caliginosus is distributed from Honduras to Colombia to Ecuador .
- Melanomys robustulus lives on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Ecuador.
- Melanomys Zunigae lives in western Peru .
The dark rice rats are often listed as a subgenus of the (actual) rice rats ( Oryzomys ). The morphological criteria that justify the delimitation of the genus (dark fur, tail length only around three quarters of the head-trunk length and others) are uncertain, it could also be convergent , not closely related descendants of the (actual) rice rats . A revision of the genus is necessary according to Wilson and Reeder (2005).
Habitat and Distribution
Melanomys caliginosus lives in overgrown fields, shrubby secondary forests and on the fringes of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
Melanomys caliginosus is a diurnal soil dweller and is often found in dense undergrowth or on tree stumps. In case of danger, it escapes with a series of high leaps. In the afternoon and early evening M. caliginosus can often be seen on buildings in clearings. The diet consists of fruits, seeds and insects. M. caliginosus is fertile all year round; most young are likely to be born in the rainy season. The litter size is between one and six pups with a mean of 3.5. The species occurs quite frequently and is classified by the IUCN as "not endangered" ( least concern ).
Melanomys robustulus lives in tropical rainforests in the lowlands and is a nocturnal ground dweller. The species is not very common, but is classified by the IUCN as “not endangered” ( least concern ).
Melanomys Zunigae has not been sighted since 1949, despite an intensive search. The relatively small area in which the species was last sighted is now almost entirely used for goat pasture and mining . It must be feared that the species has now become extinct. The IUCN therefore classifies the species as " critically endangered " .
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 .
swell
- ↑ Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World. ( Page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 2005.
- ↑ Melanomys caliginosus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2009. Posted by: R. P. Anderson, M. Gómez-Laverde, R. Timm, 2008. Accessed November 7 in 2009.
- ↑ Melanomys robustulus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2009 Posted by: D. Tirira, C. Boada, 2008. Accessed November 7 in 2009.
- ↑ Melanomys zunigae in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN 2009. Posted by: H. Zeballos, E. Vivar, 2008. Accessed November 7 in 2009.
