300.

Gray-bellied Tree Mouse

Pogonomys sylvestris

French: Pogonomys sylvestre / German: Graubauch-Greifschwanzratte / Spanish: Raton arboricola de vientre gris

Other common names: Gray-bellied Pogonomys

Taxonomy. Pogonomys sylvestris Thomas, 1920,

“Rawlinson Mts., N.E. New Guinea [= Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea]. Alt. 1500 m.”

Although more studies of the relationships within Hydromyini are needed, Pogonomys was found in S. J. Steppan and J. J. Schenk’s 2017 analysis to form a genetic clade with Hyomys (to which it issister taxon), Chiruromys, Macruromys, Lorentzimys, and Anisomys, although with relatively low support. The two western populations of P. sylvestris almost certainly represent distinct species. Further work is needed in order to resolve taxonomy of entire genus. Currently treated as monotypic.

Distribution. Arfak Mts, Snow (= Sudirman) Mts, Huon Peninsula, and E Central Range of New Guinea.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 110-135 mm, tail 135-170 mm, ear 11-16 mm, hindfoot 20-24 mm; weight 29-66 g. The Gray-bellied Tree Mouse is a small species of Pogonomys with pelage long, soft, and fine. Dorsal pelage is reddish brown, being redder on sides butless so than in the Chestnut Tree Mouse ( P. macrourus); it has a distinctive and thin dark eye-ring. Ventral pelage is grayish white, with gray-basedwhite-tipped hairs. Feet are pale buffy. Ears are grayish brown;vibrissae long and thin. Tail is long (c.130% of head-body length), slender, dorsally prehensile at tip, and pale brown. Skull is slender and long compared with those of other Pogonomys . There are three pairs of mammae, one pectoral and two inguinal. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 46. Various species of nematode (Bunomystrongylus, Odilia, etc.) have been recorded from this species.

Habitat. Primary and disturbed montane tropical moist forest, as well as old rural gardens, at elevations of 1300-2800 m. In Telefomin area,it is replaced by Champion's Tree Mouse ( P. champion).

Food and Feeding. The Gray-bellied Tree Mouse is probably herbivorous.

Breeding. Reproduction may occur from October to December, ceasing in dry season on Mount Erimbari.

Activity patterns. The Gray-bellied Tree Mouse is nocturnal and partially arboreal, nesting in burrows.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Graybellied Tree Mouse has a relatively wide distribution and is presumably found in many protected areas, including Lorentz National Park. It is hunted for food, although this does not seem to pose a major threat to the species. Western populations, which probably represent distinct species, will have to be reassessed and probably fall within a category of endangerment. Virtually nothing is known ofthis species, and further research is needed on all aspects ofits life.

Bibliography. Breed & Aplin (1995), Dennis & Menzies (1979), Dwyer (1975), Flannery (1995b), Leary, Singadan, Menzies, Wright, Helgen & Aplin (2016a), Musser & Carleton (2005), Smales (2015), Steppan & Schenk (2017).