Phyllomys kerri (Moojen, 1950)

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Echimyidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 552-604 : 600

94.

Kerr's Atlantic Tree-rat

Phyllomys kerri

French: Rat-épineux de Kerr / German: KerrKlstenbaumratte / Spanish: Rata arboricola atlantica de Kerr

Taxonomy. Echimys (Phyllomys) kerri Moojen, 1950 ,

“Ubatuba, S[ao]. Paulo, Brazil.” Restricted by L. H. Emmons and colleagues in 2002 to “Estacao Experimental de Ubatuba, Ubatuba, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 23°25’S 45°07°W.”

Phyllomys kerri was formerly classified in the genera Echimys and Nelomys . Monotypic Distribution. SE Brazil, known only from its type locality and surroundings in extreme NE Sao Paulo State.

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Descriptive notes. Head—body 190-235 mm, tail 200-223 mm; weight 200-250 g. Upper part of Kerr's Atlantic Tree-rat is reddish brown and streaked with black hairs. Dorsal pelt is spiny, with long (27 mm) and wide (1 mm) aristiforms on rump, with thin black whip-like tips. Belly is yellow orange, with gray-based hairs. Tail is nearly equal to head-body length and nearly naked, with some brownish hairs scattered on surface; tail tip is slightly hairy but not tufted. Skull of Kerr’s Atlantic Tree-rat is narrow and long. It has well-developed supraorbital ridges; interorbital region divergent posteriorly with inconspicuous post-orbital processes. Zygomatic arch is strong, with maximum height equal to one-third of jugal length. Spinose post-orbital process is present, formed mainly byjugal. Lateral process of supraoccipitalis short and reaches level of midline of external auditory meatus. Incisive foramina are oval. Mesopterygoid fossa is wide and forms 60° angle anteriorly, reaching posterior lamina of M*. Upper incisors are opisthodont. Upper tooth rows are nearly parallel. Molar teeth large, with palatal width equal to or greater than width of M'. Angular process ofjaw is not deflected laterally.

Habitat. Coastal rainforests of broadleaf evergreens in Atlantic Forest, close to the sea level. Kerr’s Atlantic Tree-rat has small distribution and reduced area of occupancy.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but Kerr’s Atlantic Tree-rat has lophodont cheekteeth that suggest a folivorous diet.

Breeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but Kerr’s Atlantic Tree-rat probably nests aboveground in tree hollows.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but Kerr's Atlantic Tree-rats are probably nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Kerr’s Atlantic Tree-rat is arboreal and probably solitary.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Additional ecological studies of the rare Kerr's Atlantic Tree-rat are needed.

Bibliography. Emmons et al. (2002), Leite (2003), Leite & Loss (2015), Loss & Leite (2011), Moojen (1950, 1952b), Patton et al. (2015), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005).

Figures

12. Broad-headed Spiny-rat (Clyomys laticeps), 13. Guiara (Euryzygomatomys spinosus), 14. White-spined Spiny-rat (Irinomys albispinus), 15. Elias’s Spiny-rat (Trinomys eliasi), 16. Rigid-spined Atlantic Spiny-rat (Trinomys paratus), 17. Yonenaga’s Spiny-rat (Trinomys yonenagae), 18. Elegant-spined Atlantic Spiny-rat (Trinomys setosus), 19. Moojen’s Spiny-rat (Trinomys moojeni), 20. Pau Brasil Spiny-rat (Trinomys mirapitanga), 21. Rio de Janeiro Spiny-rat (Trinomys dimidiatus), 22. Sao Paulo Spiny-rat (Trinomys thering), 23. Gracile Atlantic Spiny-rat (Trinomys gratiosus), 24. Sao Lourenco Punare (Thrichomys laurentius), 25. Jacobina Punare (Thrichomys inermis), 26. Lagoa Santa Punare (Thrichomys apereoides), 27. Pantanal Punare (Thrichomys pachyurus), 28. Foster’s Punare (Thrichomys fosteri), 29. Painted Tree-rat (Callistomys pictus), 30. Coypu (Myocastor coypus), 31. Armored Rat (Hoplomys gymnurus)

Phyllomys kerri was formerly classified in the genera Echimys and Nelomys . Monotypic Distribution. SE Brazil, known only from its type locality and surroundings in extreme NE Sao Paulo State.