Pseudoryzomys simplex (Winge)

Rocha, Rita G., Ferreira, Eduardo, Costa, Barbara M. A., Martins, Iracy C. M., Leite, Yuri L. R., Costa, Leonora P. & Fonseca, Carlos, 2011, Small mammals of the mid-Araguaia River in central Brazil, with the description of a new species of climbing rat, Zootaxa 2789, pp. 1-34 : 22

Pseudoryzomys simplex (Winge)

Identification. Pseudoryzomys simplex is a small-sized terrestrial species with a tail slightly longer than head and body length. The dorsal pelage is brown streaked with black hairs and body sides are lighter than the dorsum; the ventral pelage is yellowish gray. Ears are covered by small light hair. The tail is bicolored and covered with thin silver hairs. Front and hind feet are dark gray and the claws are covered by silver ungual hairs. Hind feet have small webbing between the toes.

Craniodental characters ( Fig. 12 ) closely agree with the description of this species by Voss and Myers (1991). The rostrum is short and zygomatic notches are very deep. The interorbital region converges anteriorly and has well-developed supraorbital crests. The incisive foramen is long, reaching the anterior margin of molar rows, and parallel sided. The palate is long and it has prominent posterolateral pits. Upper incisors are opisthodont. Labial and lingual cusps of upper molars are arranged in opposite pairs. Labial accessory root is present on M1 and small mesoloph is present on M1 and M2.

Measurements (n = 2): HB = 109–112, T = 115–120, HF = 28–29, E = 19–20, W = 39–46.

Distribution. This species occurs from central to east Brazil ( Musser & Carleton 2005) throughout Cerrado and Caatinga biomes ( Bonvicino et al. 2008).

Natural history. Only two specimens (one male and one female) were captured in September 2008, one in a pitfall and another in a Tomahawk trap. These captures took place in areas of Cerrado sensu strictu at FLV and FSF.

Vouchers (n = 2:1ɗ 1Ψ): UFES 1380–1381.

Figures

FIGURE 12. Dorsal, ventral and lateral views of skull and mandible of Pseudoryzomys simplex (female, UFES 1381).