260.

Manusela Mosaic-tailed Rat

Melomys fraterculus

French: Mélomys du Manusela / German: Manusela-Mosaikschwanzratte / Spanish: Rata de cola moteada de Manusela

Other common names: Manusela Melomys

Taxonomy. Uromys fraterculus Thomas, 1920,

“Mt. Manusela [Seram Island, Indo-nesia]. 6000’ [= 1829 m].”

This species has in the past been placed variously in Pogonomelomys and Uromys, and its correct generic position is still unclear. Monotypic.

Distribution. Seram I, Indonesia, where it is known only from type locality at Mt Manusela; possible presence at other locations requires confirmation.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 115 mm, tail 153-155 mm, ear 17-18 mm, hindfoot 26 mm. No data are available for body weight. This small species is known only from two specimens collected in 1920, differing from other Melomys in that the long mottled tail is visibly hairy and apparently prehensile at tip. There are three hairs subtended by each scale. The Manusela Mosaic-tailed Rat is the most enigmatic of the Seramese murids. It is a small-bodied rat with a light reddish-brown back, buff-colored venter with gray fur bases, and a long, white, and relatively well-haired tail with variable brown mottling. As both known specimens are male, the mammary formula remains unknown.

Habitat. The Manusela Mosaic-tailed Rat was found in upper montane, mossy forest in limestone country. It is almost certainly restricted to suitable habitat at elevations above 1800 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The label on the paratype skin states “said by natives to live in trees; trapped in heavy jungle in limestone country,” which suggests that the Manusela Mosaic-tailed Rat is an arboreal species.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List because its extent of occurrence is probably not much greater than 100 km? all individuals are believed to occur in a single location (Mount Manusela), and there is presumed to be a continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat.

Bibliography. Helgen (2003), Musser & Carleton (2005), Rimmler (1936), Tate (1951), Thomas (1920c).