Paramelomys mollis (Thomas, 1913)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6887260 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6868464 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/1E30E275-344E-FFFF-E181-28CD74CD893F |
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treatment provided by |
Carolina |
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scientific name |
Paramelomys mollis |
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Montane Soft-furred Mosaic-tailed Rat
Paramelomys mollis View in CoL
French: Mélomys doux / German: \Weichfell-Mosaikschwanzratte / Spanish: Rata de cola moteada de pelaje suave de montafa
Other common names: Montane Soft-furred Paramelomys, Thomas's Melomys, Thomas's Mosaic-tailed Rat
Taxonomy. Uromys mollis Thomas, 1913 ,
“ ‘Camp Padang, 6 c.” Altitude 5500" [= 1676 m]. Southern slope of Mt. Carstenz, Charles Louis Mts. [= Nassau Range], Dutch New Guinea [= Papua Province, New Guinea], on Upper Utakwa River.”
First described in genus Uromys , then incorporated into Melomys (subgenus Paramelomys ) as a synonym of M. levipes by H. Rummler in 1936, P. mollis was finally rehabilitated by J. I. Menzies in 1996. Ac-
cording to Menzies, P. mollis belongs in a group that includes also P. levipes and P. naso . Monotypic.
Distribution. Central Cordillera of New Guinea. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 130-182 mm, tail 140 mm, ear 21 mm, hindfoot 26— 37 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. This large Paramelomys species is characterized by a dense and woolly fur, and a narrow hindfoot. Montane Softfurred Mosaic-tailed Rats display a reddish-brown to dark brown dorsal pelage, a dark eye-ring, and gray cheeks. Tail may be shorter or longer (91-126%) than head-body length; itis dark above and pale below, with one hair per scale. Females have two pairs of mammae.
Habitat. Montane tropical forest and old rural garden plots, at elevations between 1200 m and 2200 m.
Food and Feeding. No information.
Breeding. Has a low reproductive rate; females give birth to a single young.
Activity patterns. The Montane Soft-furred Mosaic-tailed Rat is terrestrial.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Montane Soft-furred Mosaic-tailed Ratis widespread acrossits range.
Bibliography. Flannery (1995b), Menzies (1996), Rimmler (1936).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
