304. Huon Small-toothed Moss Mouse

Pseudohydromys carlae

French: Souris-musaraigne de Carla / German: Huon-Halbinsel-Moosmaus / Spanish: Raton de musgo de Huon

Taxonomy. Pseudohydromys carlae K. M. Helgen & L. E. Helgen, 2009,

“Teptep Patrol Post (Teptep = 05°57.2°S, 146°33.7’E, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea ...), 2560 m, Finisterre Range, Huon Peninsula.”

Pseudohydromys carlae was referred by K. M. Helgen and L. E.Helgen to an ellermani species group that also includes P. ellermani, P. germani, and P. pumehanae . Type series of P. carlae was not reported priorto its taxonomic description. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from two localities in vicinity of Tep Tep, Finisterre Range, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 89-103 mm, tail 84-92 mm, ear 9-12 mm, hindfoot 21-22 mm; weight 15 g. Genus Pseudohydromys is a taxonomically diverse group of small-bodied murines characterized by dense, velvety to plush fur; a variably narrowed and flattened head with small eyes and ears; head generally without contrasting pattern; vibrissae fine and elongate, extending past ears; eyes small to minute; hindfeet narrow, lacking webbing between digits and with claws on all digits; tail narrow and thinly furred, approximately as long as combined length of head and body; mammae (when known) two on each side, both inguinal; cranium delicately built, with small molars reduced in number to two or fewer per quadrant. Members of the ellermani species group have one small molar per quadrant, forward-projecting upperincisors, fur smoky gray above and below with no grizzling or white spotting on rump, and vibrissae extendingjust past ears; they also share a suite of other unique cranial traits. The Huon Small-toothed Moss Mouse is a medium-sized member of genus; fur is velvety, 7 mm long on mid-back, smoky gray on upperparts, slightly paler below, and occasionally with white patcheson midline of chest or abdomen; ears small and pale gray; upper surfaces of all feet pale gray, with short buff or white hairs; tail brown to tip, averaging 93% of head-body length. Molars are slightly larger than in other members of P. ellermani group. Mammae not recorded,as all three specimens are male.

Habitat. Found at 2560-3000 m; likely habitat at these elevations in Finisterre Range is evergreen, mid-montane to upper montane rainforest. The capture at 3000 m is the highest elevation record anywhere in New Guinea for a member of the ellermani species group.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Statusand Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List, but restriction of subsistence agricultural activity to elevations below 2500 m in this part of Papua New Guinea, coupled with lack of any major resource developments in this area, suggests a high degree of habitat security.

Bibliography. Helgen & Helgen (2009), Jackson & Woolley (1993).