298.

D’Entrecasteaux Archipelago Tree Mouse

Pogonomys fergussoniensis

French: Pogonomys de Fergusson / German: D'Entrecasteaux-Inseln-Greifschwanzratte / Spanish: Raton arboricola de D’Entrecasteaux

Other common names: D'Entrecasteaux Archipelago Pogonomys

Taxonomy. Pogonomys fergussoniensis Laurie, 1952,

Saibutu, Awabula District, Fer-gusson Island, d’Entrecasteaux Archipel-ago, Papua New Guinea.

Although more studies of the relationships within Hydromyini are needed, Pogonomys was found in S. J. Steppan and |. J. Schenk’s 2017 analysis to form a genetic clade with Hyomys (to which it is sister taxon), Chiruromys, Macruromys, Lorentzimys, and Anisomys, although with relatively low

support. P.fergussoniensis was previously included within P. loriae, although it is morphologically very distinctive. Genus is in need of a revision. Monotypic.

Distribution. Islands of Goodenough, Fergusson, and Normanby, D’Entrecasteaux Is, off SE New Guinea.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 170-205 mm, tail 248-262 mm, ear 14—15-7 mm, hindfoot 29-8-33 mm; weight 135-158 g. The D’Entrecasteaux Archipelago Tree Mouseis a large species of Pogonomys with pelage long, soft, and fine. Dorsal pelage is reddish brown with gray-based fur and long black guard hairs; ventral pelage is buffy white with patches of rust-colored hairs throughout. Feet are pinkish, with buffy hairs dorsally. Wrists have a dark band on upper side. Ears are dark; vibrissae long, thin, and black. Tail is long (c.120-140% of head-body length), prehensile dorsally, thin and black with white mottling throughout, similar to that of Loria’s Tree Mouse ( P. loriae). Skull is large and heavily built. There are three pairs of mammae, one pectoral and two inguinal.

Habitat. The exact habitat in which this specieslives is uncertain, although it has been collected in an oak-rainforest transition and in vegetation close to a village. It probably lives in tropical forests throughout the islands, having been collected at elevations of 200-900 m.

Food and Feeding. The D’Entrecasteaux Archipelago Tree Mouse is probably herbivorous.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. D’Entrecasteaux Archipelago Tree Mice are nocturnal and, as other species in the genus, probably arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The D’Entrecasteaux Archipelago Tree Mouse is found only on three islands and is known from only a few specimens. Habitat destruction through forest clearance for subsistence farming is a major threat to it. All three islands have experienced extensive habitat loss, and this species is probably declining in population as a result. Virtually nothing is known of this murid, and further research is needed as a matter of urgency.

Bibliography. Breed & Aplin (1995), Dennis & Menzies (1979), Flannery (1995b), Musser & Carleton (2005), Steppan & Schenk (2017).