Rhipidomys similis, J. A. Allen, 1912

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Cricetidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 204-535 : 486

600.

Greater Colombian Climbing Rat

Rhipidomys similis

French: Rhipidomys de Colombie / German: GrofRe Cauca-Neuweltklettermaus / Spanish: Rata trepadora de Colombia grande

Other common names: Greater Colombian Rhipidomys

Taxonomy. Rhipidomys similis J. A. Allen, 1912 , Cocal, 6000 feet [= 1829 m] Cauca, Colombia.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Andes in WC & SW Colombia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 128-16 mm, tail 184-192 mm, hindfoot 29-31 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Greater Colombian Climbing Rat is medium-sized, with dorsum reddish brown to yellowish rufous lined with black, and somewhat darker medially than more orange-yellow sides; venter is cream, usually with more pale orange hair tips over long, dark gray bases. Tail is covered with black hair, nearly concealing annular scales, and terminates in a pencil. Ears are dull brown. Hindfeet are moderately long and broad.

Habitat. Primary cloud forests at elevations of 1830-2400 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Greater Colombian Climbing Rat is nocturnal and arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. Allen, J.A. (1912), Alberico (1983), Chapman (1917), Tribe (1996, 2015).

Figures

592. Merida Montane Mouse (Aepeomys lugens), 593. Reig’s Montane Mouse (Aepeomys reig), 594. Smoky Forest Mouse (Chilomys fumeus), 595. Colombian Forest Mouse (Chilomys instans), 596. Long-tongued Arboreal Mouse (Rhagomys longilingua), 597. Brazilian Arboreal Mouse (Rhagomys rufescens), 598. Broad-footed Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys latimanus), 599. Lesser Colombian Climbing Rat (Rhaprdomys caucensis), 600. Greater Colombian Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys similis), 601. Tawny-bellied Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys fulviventer), 602. Venezuelan Climbing Rat (Rhpidomys venezuelae), 603. Coues’s Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys couesi), 604. Charming Climbing Rat (Rhpidomys venustus), 605. Turimiquire Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys tenuicauda), 606. Wetzel’s Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys wetzeli), 607. White-footed Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys leucodactylus), 608. Albuja’s Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys albujar), 609. Splendid Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys nitela), 610. McConnell’s Tepui Climbing Rat (Rhupndomys macconnells), 611. Snethlage’s Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys emiliae), 612. Cariri Climbing Rat (Rhipudomys cariri), 613. Ipuca Climbing Rat (RhAipidomys ipukensis), 614. Lesser Peruvian Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys modicus), 615. Gardner’s Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys gardneri), 616. Yellow-bellied Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys ochrogaster), 617. Cerrado Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys macrurus), 618. Long-tailed Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys mastacalis), 619. Tribe’s Climbing Rat (RhAipidomys tribei), 620. Sky Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys itoan), 621. Southern Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys austrinus)

Distribution. Andes in WC & SW Colombia.