737.

Javan Bamboo Rat

Kadarsanomys sodyi

French: Rat de Kardasan / German: Java-Ratte / Spanish: Rata de bambu de Java

Other common names: Sody's Tree Rat

Taxonomy. Rattus canus sodyi Bartels, 1937,

Mount [= Gunung] Pangrango-Gede, 1000 m, West Java, Indonesia .

Kadarsanomys sodyi was originally described as subspecies of Lenothrix cana (formerly Rattus canus). In 1981, the genus Kadarsanomys was created to highlight its distinctiveness from Rattus and Lenothrix . Its phylogenetic relationships have remained enigmatic since its description. Further studies with modern samples are needed to determine its real position within Rattini . Subfossils are known from central and eastern Java. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from type locality in WJava.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 162-210 mm,tail 246-305 mm, hindfoot 37-44 mm, ear 20-25 mm; weight 175-230 g. The Javan Bamboo Rat resembles the Gray Tree Rat ( Lenothrix cana) in body size and proportions, butit has smaller ears, shorter hindfeet, and skull. The Javan Bamboo Rat is morphological adapted to arboreal life;its relatively long tail, arboreal hindfoot, and nail instead of claw on each hallux suggest this mode oflife. Middle of head and back is dark brown, paling to grayish brown on sides and cheeks. Blackish brown ring encircles eyes, contrasting color of head. Ears are tan and covered with fine hair. Underparts are white. Tail is completely pale brown and covered with scales; each scale has three hairs, short at base and increasing toward tip; and there is no indication that tail is prehensile. Vibrissae above and below eyes are 20-30 mm; rostral vibrissae are 60-70 mm long. Juveniles have grayish brown upperparts and white underparts. Pelage is much paler, denser, and softer than those of adults. Females have four pairs of mammae.

Habitat. Mostly bamboo stands in forests.

Food and Feeding. Diet of the Javan Bamboo Rat probably contains bamboo.

Breeding. AJavan Bamboo Rat nest made of dry leaves had four young in January, and juveniles were found in June, suggesting two litters/year.

Activity patterns. The Javan Bamboo Ratis probably nocturnal. Its peculiar hallux and short foot with well-developed pads suggest arboreal or semi-arboreallifestyle.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Most specimens ofJavan Bamboo Rats were caught on dead and more orless decaying big bamboo stemsin a forest, into which they had gnawed entrance holes c.3-4 cm in diameter; similar holes had also been gnawed in partitions between internodes.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. The Javan Bamboo Ratlikely occursin less than 2000 km?, its distribution is believed to be severely fragmented, and there is continuing decline in extent and quality of its lowland forest habitat. Additional studies are needed to understand its distribution, abundance, ecology, and conservation threats.

Bibliography. Boitani et al. (2006), Musser (1981c), Musser & Carleton (2005), Musser & Newcomb (1983), Musser, Aplin & Lunde (2008).