Taeromys
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above Taeromys callitrichus , below the Rajah rat Maxomys hellwaldi |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Taeromys | ||||||||||||
| Sody , 1941 |
Taeromys is a genus of rodents from the group of old world mice (Murinae). The genus includes seven species.
They are rat-like animals. They reach a head body length of 19 to 25 centimeters, the tail measures 16 to 30 centimeters. The fur is colored brown or gray-brown on the upper side, the underside is light gray. The tail is usually dark in the front part and becomes lighter towards the tip. The hind legs are long and slender, the skull is delicately built.
These rodents are endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi . Their habitat are forests, both deep and mountain forests. Most species are ground dwellers, their diet consists of fruits, leaves and insects. Otherwise, little is known about their way of life.
The seven types are:
- Taeromys arcuatus in Southeast Sulawesi,
- Taeromys callitrichus in northern and central Sulawesi,
- Taeromys celebensis in lowlands in almost all of Sulawesi,
- Taeromys hamatus in mountainous regions in Central Sulawesi
- Taeromys microbullatus in Southeast Sulawesi,
- Taeromys punicans in the lowlands of central and southwest Sulawesi and
- Taeromys taerae in mountainous regions in Northeast Sulawesi.
Little is known about the degree of risk. The IUCN lists all species with the exception of the non-endangered T. celebensis under “too little data available” ( data deficient ).
The genus is systematically classified in the Rattus group , so it is closely related to rats .
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 .
