Central American water mice
Central American water mice | ||||||||||||
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Rheomys | ||||||||||||
Thomas , 1906 |
The Central American water mice ( Rheomys ) are a rodent genus living in Central America from the group of fish rats within the New World mice . They include four types.
The Central American water mice are perfectly adapted to a water-dwelling way of life thanks to their streamlined body and small ears. The eyes are small and the nostrils can be closed. The hind feet are enlarged, the toes are webbed and the tail is flattened. These animals reach a head body length of 9 to 14 centimeters, the tail is 9 to 17 centimeters long. Their fur is short and dense, it is colored dark brown on the upper side, the underside is whitish.
These animals live in Central America, their range extends from southern Mexico to Panama . Their habitat are tropical forests, where they stay on the banks of rivers.
They search for food in the water and feed on fish, aquatic insects, snails and other small animals.
Four types are distinguished:
- Rheomys mexicanus is only known from the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
- Rheomys raptor lives in Costa Rica and Panama.
- Rheomys thomasi is widespread from southern Mexico to El Salvador.
- Rheomys underwoodi occurs in Costa Rica and western Panama.
All four species have a small range and are endangered by the destruction of their habitat. The IUCN only lists R. mexicanus as low endangered, but the information is out of date.
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
- Endangerment level of the individual species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species .