Luzon tree rats
| Luzon tree rats | ||||||||||||
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Carpomys phaeurus (above) and Carpomys melanurus |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Carpomys | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1895 |
The Luzon tree rats ( Carpomys ) are a genus of rodents from the group of old world mice (Murinae). The genus includes two types.
General
Luzon tree rats reach a head body length of 18 to 20 centimeters, in addition there is a 16 to 21 centimeter long tail. The fur is soft and dense, it is brownish on the top and whitish-yellow on the underside. The broad hind feet are an adaptation to the tree-dwelling way of life.
These rodents live on the Philippines island of Luzon , their habitat are densely forested mountainous regions at an altitude of 2100 to 2400 meters. They are tree dwellers, otherwise little is known about their way of life.
Systematics
The Luzon tree rats are part of the Phloeomys group , an ancient radiation of the old world mice that lives in the Philippines.
There are two kinds:
- The black-tailed Luzon tree rat ( Carpomys melanurus ) is characterized by its black tail. She lives in the region around Mount Pulag in northern Luzon.
- The brown- tailed Luzon tree rat ( Carpomys phaeurus ) has a brownish tail and lives in northern Luzon.
According to the IUCN, C. phaeurus is not endangered; too little data is available for C. melanurus .
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 .
