Florida water rat

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Florida water rat
Florida water rat (Neofiber alleni)

Florida water rat ( Neofiber alleni )

Systematics
Superfamily : Mice-like (Muroidea)
Family : Burrowers (Cricetidae)
Subfamily : Voles (arvicolinae)
Tribe : Neofibrini
Genre : Neofiber
Type : Florida water rat
Scientific name of the  genus
Neofiber
True , 1884
Scientific name of the  species
Neofiber alleni
True , 1884

The Florida water rat ( Neofiber alleni ) is a rodent from the subfamily of voles (Arvicolinae) that is found in wetlands in the southeastern United States in the states of Florida and Georgia .

features

The species reaches a total length of 28.5 to 38.1 centimeters, of which 9.9 to 16.8 centimeters are due to the comparatively short, rounded tail compared to the muskrat ( Ondatra zibethicus ). The average body weight for males is 279 grams, for females 262 grams. The hind legs are longer than the front legs. The dense underfur is gray and is covered by dark brown outer hairs and sporadic light hairs. The belly is pale yellow-brown in color.

distribution and habitat

Distribution area of ​​the Florida water rat

The distribution area of ​​this vole is in the American state of Florida and in the southern to southwestern part of Georgia , with the western limit of distribution at least as far as the Choctawhatchee River in Walton County , Florida. The range is not contiguous, so in Georgia there is an approximately 80 km wide distribution gap between the population in the Grand Bay area and that in the Okefenokee Swamp , although there are comparable habitats in between . Gaps in the northern part of the range are due to the fragmented and isolated occurrences of wetlands and the generally low density with local extinction of the species at the edge of the range. In Georgia, after years of high population growth, peripheral areas are also being settled.

Typical habitats are marshland and wetlands with fresh and brackish water, such as the Everglades in Florida or the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia. It prefers flooded habitats in which the water is densely overgrown with aquatic plants, especially Panicum hemitomon and Pontederia lanceolata .

Way of life

The Florida water rat lives semi-aquatic and is mainly nocturnal with a main activity time after sunset and before dawn. As a vegetarian, it feeds on aquatic plants, reeds, roots and other parts of plants. She builds residential mounds from parts of plants and digs tunnels in the ground. She also uses plant mats on which she rests or takes her food. Older specimens usually live alone, but smaller groups can be found in association with at least one younger individual.

Females can mate all year round, but most births occur in autumn. Usually there are four to six litters per year, with one to four young being born. Females are pregnant for about 26 to 29 days and the young reach sexual maturity after about 90 to 100 days.

Systematics

The Florida swamp rat is the only species of the genus Neofiber monotypical with it . All Neofiber species and subspecies described so far were identified with the nominate form N. a. alleni synonymous. For example, in 1972 Birkenholz lists with N. a. apalachicolae , N.A. exoristus , N. a. nigrescens and N.A. struix four subspecies that are now considered synonyms of the nominate form.

Hazard and protection

The species is assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as "Least Concern" due to the size of the population and the large area of ​​distribution. A decline in the population and a serious threat are not known, but there are only a few research reports on the species.

The total population of the Florida water rat has declined, particularly in Florida due to habitat loss due to the drainage of wetlands. The land filling and drainage as well as salt water ingress into the wetlands of Florida led to further habitat losses and the isolation of colonies. Isolated populations in particular are dependent on the supply of fresh water to the wetlands.

supporting documents

  1. ↑ a b c d e Dale E. Birkenholz: Neofiber alleni . In: Mammalian Species . tape 15 , 1972, p. 1–4 ( full text (PDF; 436 kB)). Full text ( Memento of the original from March 4, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.science.smith.edu
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g Neofiber alleni in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2010. Posted by: Linzey, AV, Jackson, DR, Bergstrom, B. & Hammerson, G. 2008, 2008. Accessed 26 February 2012 .
  3. ^ A b Kathi Hull: Neofiber alleni in the Animal Diversity Web of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  4. ↑ Don E. Wilson & DeeAnn M. Reeder (eds.): Neofiber in Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed).
  5. ↑ Don E. Wilson & DeeAnn M. Reeder (eds.): Neofiber alleni in Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed).

literature

Web links

Commons : Neofiber alleni  - collection of images, videos and audio files
  • Neofiber alleni in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2010. Posted by: Linzey, AV, Jackson, DR, Bergstrom, B. & Hammerson, G. 2008, 2008. Accessed February 26 2012th
  • Kathi Hull: Neofiber alleni on the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology's Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  • Don E. Wilson & DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Neofiber alleni in Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed).
  • Round-tailed muskrat (PDF; 56 kB), Field Guide to the Rare Animals of Florida