Dwarf tree mice
| Dwarf tree mice | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Haeromys | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1911 |
The dwarf tree mice ( Haeromys ) are a genus of rodents from the group of old world mice (Murinae). The genus includes three types.
General
Dwarf tree mice are among the smallest rodents of all. They reach a head body length of 5.6 to 7.6 centimeters, the tail measures 11 to 14 centimeters. Their fur is soft, it is brown or reddish brown on the back, and the belly is white. The ears are small and sparsely hairy, the tail is covered with short hair. The paws are adapted to a tree-dwelling way of life, the first toe is opposable .
Dwarf tree mice live in Southeast Asia , their range includes the islands of Borneo , Palawan and Sulawesi . Their habitat is forests, they are mostly in the trees. They build round leaf nests in tree hollows and presumably feed at least partially on seeds.
Systematics
According to Wilson & Reeder (2005), the dwarf tree mice are part of the Micromys group within the old world mice. Lecompte et al. (2008) question this classification and list the genus under incertae sedis , i.e. with an unclear status.
There are three known types:
- Haeromys margarettae lives in northern Borneo.
- Haeromys minahassae is native to northern and central Sulawesi.
- Haeromys pusillus occurs on Borneo and Palawan.
The main threat to these animals is the destruction of their habitat. The IUCN lists H. minahassae and H. pusillus as "endangered" ( vulnerable ), but no precise data are available for H. margarettae .
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 .
- Emilie Lecompte, Ken Aplin, Christiane Denys, François Catzeflis, Marion Chades, Pascale Chevret: Phylogeny and biogeography of African Murinae based on mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences, with a new tribal classification of the subfamily. In: BMC Evolutionary Biology. Vol. 8, 199, 2008, pp. 1-21, doi : 10.1186 / 1471-2148-8-199 .