Borneo prey-tail rat
| Borneo prey-tail rat | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Pithecheirops | ||||||||||||
| Emmons , 1993 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Pithecheirops otion | ||||||||||||
| Emmons, 1993 | ||||||||||||
The Borneo prehensile tail rat ( Pithecheirops otion ) is a rodent species from the group of old world mice (Murinae). It is probably closely related to the monkey foot-rats ( Pithecheir ).
Only one animal of this species is known, a young male that was found in 1991 in northern Borneo ( Sabah ). It had a head body length of 11.3 centimeters, a tail length of 11.7 centimeters and a weight of 36 grams. Its fur was reddish on the back, the flanks being lighter than the top, the belly being whitish. With the exception of the foremost part, the tail is hairless and can be used as a grasping tail.
The animal was found in a rainforest around 150 meters above sea level. The physique suggests that the species is a tree dweller and can climb well.
Nothing is known about the degree of endangerment, the IUCN lists the species 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
- Pithecheirops otion onthe IUCN Red List of Endangered Species . Retrieved May 29, 2009.