Bandicota indica (Bechstein, 1800)

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 536-884 : 818

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Greater Bandicoot Rat

Bandicota indica

French: Grand Rat-bandicot / German: Grofie Bandikutratte / Spanish: Rata bandicut mayor

Taxonomy. Mus indicus Bechstein, 1800 ,

Pondicherry, India .

Polytypic, but number, diagnoses, and ranges of subspecies require review.

Distribution. Most of India, Nepal, Bang- ladesh, SC & SE China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangdong, and Fujian) and mainland SE Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia), also on Cat Ba I off the coast of N Vietnam. Popu- lation of Taiwan has uncertain origins. Introduced into Kedah and Perlis regions of Malay Peninsula as well as Java.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 188-350 mm, tail 146-280 mm, ear 27-33 mm, hindfoot 42-60 mm; weight 375-600 g. The Greater Bandicoot Ratis the largest species of Bandicota (externally and cranially). Hindfeet are long. Tail is 88% of head-body length, long compared with other species of Bandicota . There are eight rows of scales/ cm. Dorsal pelage is coarse, dark, and blackish brown. Skull is large and chunky. There are six pairs of mammae. Long nasal dorsally extends beyond upper incisors. Posterolateral surface of supraoccipital is greatly reduced. Upper incisors are opisthodont; and posterior cingulum is present on M' and M*.

Habitat. Disturbed habitats including secondary rainforests,villages, rice paddies, potato crops, and wide variety of other agricultural areas from sea level to elevations of c.1500 m.

Food and Feeding. The Greater Bandicoot Rat is omnivorous, with some preferences for plant materials (rice, water and land plants, and fruits). It reportedly eats invertebrates such as mollusks, crabs, and insects.

Breeding. Breeding season is year-round in India, with higher densities of females in dry season. Litters have 1-8 young (mean 4-8 young); gestation is estimated at 23 days.

Activity patterns. The Greater Bandicoot Rat is terrestrial, fossorial, and nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Greater Bandicoot Rat builds burrow systems similar to those of the Lesser Bandicoot Rat ( B. bengalensis ). It often is observed feeding near entrances of burrows. Burrow systems usually contain several individuals of different sexes. It is very aggressive when trapped alive.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Greater Bandicoot Rat is considered as a pestwhen densities are high. It occurs in a wide range of disturbed habitats but also in more secondary habitats. Burrows reportedly damage road and borders of agriculturalfields.

Bibliography. Agrawal (2000), Aplin, Brown et al. (2003), Chaval et al. (2016), Dang Huy Huynh et al. (1994), Harrison (1956a, 1956b), Kuznetsov (2000), Marshall (1977a, 1977b), Musser & Brothers (1994), Musser & Newcomb (1983), Robinson et al. (1995), Wang Yingxiang (2003), Yu Mingzhen (1996), Zhang Yongzu et al. (1997).

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Distribution. Most of India, Nepal, Bang- ladesh, SC & SE China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangdong, and Fujian) and mainland SE Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia), also on Cat Ba I off the coast of N Vietnam. Popu- lation of Taiwan has uncertain origins. Introduced into Kedah and Perlis regions of Malay Peninsula as well as Java.