New Guinea mountain water rats

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New Guinea mountain water rats
Systematics
Superfamily : Mice-like (Muroidea)
Family : Long-tailed mice (Muridae)
Subfamily : Old World Mice (Murinae)
Tribe : Hydromyini
Hydromys group
Genre : New Guinea mountain water rats
Scientific name
Paraleptomys
Tate & Archbold , 1941

The New Guinea mountain water rats ( Paraleptomys ) are a genus of rodents from the group of old world mice (Murinae). The genus includes two types. Contrary to earlier views, they are not very closely related to the New Guinea water rats ( Leptomys ), but are incorporated into the Hydromys group as relatives of the swimming rats .

These rodents reach a head-trunk length of 12 to 14 centimeters, the tail measures 13 to 15 centimeters and the weight is 34 to 58 grams. Their fur is gray-brown on the back and whitish-light gray on the belly. They are native to New Guinea , their habitat are mountainous forests at 1,800 to 2,700 meters above sea level. Little is known about their way of life.

There are two types:

  • Paraleptomys rufilatus lives in mountainous regions in northern New Guinea. The species is characterized by a white throat and a reddish colored head. Due to its small distribution area, the species is considered "endangered" ( endangered ).
  • Paraleptomys wilhelmina lives in the Massif Central New Guinea. It has a grayer coat than P. rufilatus . Their degree of risk is not known, the IUCN lists them under “too little data available” ( data deficient ).

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