Rio de Janeiro rat
| Rio de Janeiro rat | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Phaenomys | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1917 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Phaenomys ferrugineus | ||||||||||||
| ( Thomas , 1894) | ||||||||||||
The Rio de Janeiro rat ( Phaenomys ferrugineus ) is a species of rodent from the New World mouse group that lives in South America .
These rodents have reddish fur on their backs , their belly is white, their paws are reddish brown and their toes are white. The ears are small and hairy, the fur is thick, the tail is relatively long and hairy. The head body length is 15 centimeters, the tail length 19 centimeters.
Rio de Janeiro rats live in southeastern Brazil in the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo . Their habitat are hilly forests. They are likely to be at least partially tree-dwelling, otherwise little is known about their way of life.
In total, only 12 animals of this species were found, their habitat is one of the most densely populated regions in South America, which is why they are threatened with habitat loss. The IUCN lists the species as endangered ( vulnerable ).
Their systematic relationships with other New World mice are unclear. Possibly they are related to other Sigmodontinae of southeastern Brazil such as the Atlantic wood rats ( Delomys ).
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
- Phaenomys ferrugineus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2014 Posted by: Bonvicino, C. & Percequillo, A., 2008. Accessed July 5, 2014.