Mesomys

Mesomys
	Mesomys hispidus
Systematics
Subordination :	Porcupine relatives (Hystricomorpha)
Partial order :	Hystricognathi
without rank:	Guinea Pig Relatives (Caviomorpha)
Family :	Quill rats (Echimyidae)
Subfamily :	Eumysopinae
Genre :	Mesomys
Scientific name
	Mesomys
	Wagner , 1845

Mesomys is a genus of rodents in the family spiny rats (Echimyidae). There are four species found in northern South America .

features

The representatives of the genus reach a head-trunk length of 150 to 200 mm and a tail length of 113 to 220 mm. They weigh 130 to 220 g. As with the lance rat ( Hoplomys gymnurus ), there are many spines in the fur on the top. These are banded in light-dark brown which creates a blotchy appearance. The soft fur on the underside can be light brown, orange or white. There is a tassel at the end of the powerful tail. Other characteristics are small rounded ears and sharp, curved claws.

Types and distribution

Mammal Species of the World (2005) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) differentiate between the following species:

Mesomys hispidus , Amazon basin with marginal areas.
Mesomys leniceps , northern Peru.
Mesomys occultus , northwest Brazil.
Mesomys stimulax , northeast Brazil.

Two species were transferred to the genus Makalata in 1993 . A taxonomic revision of the genus is called for.

Way of life

These quill rats live mainly in forests in the lowlands as well as in deeper areas of the Andes . They are nocturnal and mainly climb trees and undergrowth. Hollow trees, knotted creepers or house roofs serve as resting places. A litter usually consists of one young, rarely up to three. The species eat different parts of the plant, with leaves probably playing a minor role.

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. Volume 2. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, pp. 1693-1694, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
↑ ^a ^b Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Mesomys ).
↑ ^a ^b Mesomys in the IUCN 2012 Red List of Threatened Species . Accessed March 11, 2015.
^ Eisenberg & Redford (Eds.): Mammals of the Neotropics . tape 3 . University of Chicago Press, 2000, ISBN 0-226-19542-2 , pp. 490 (English, Mesomys ).

[Walkers-1] Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. Volume 2. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, pp. 1693-1694, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .

[Wilson-2] Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Mesomys ).

[IUCN-3] Mesomys in the IUCN 2012 Red List of Threatened Species . Accessed March 11, 2015.

[Eisenberg-4] Eisenberg & Redford (Eds.): Mammals of the Neotropics . tape 3 . University of Chicago Press, 2000, ISBN 0-226-19542-2 , pp. 490 (English, Mesomys ).