Paramelomys lorentzii (Jentink 1908)

Wilson, Don E. & Reeder, DeeAnn, 2005, Order Rodentia - Family Muridae, Mammal Species of the World: a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3 rd Edition), Volume 2, Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, pp. 1189-1531 : 1432

Paramelomys lorentzii (Jentink 1908)

[Paramelomys] lorentzii (Jentink 1908) , Nova Guinea, 9: 3.

Type Locality: New Guinea, Prov. of Papua (= Irian Jaya), Lorentz River, Resi Camp, 900 m.

Vernacular Names: Lorentz's Paramelomys.

Distribution: New Guinea; specimens are from lowlands along the south side of Central Cordillera, from Mimika River in SW Prov. of Papua (= Irian Jaya) to middle altitudes and lowlands of the upper and middle Fly River; sea level to 780 m (based on specimens examined in AMNH and BMNH); limits unknown.

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (lc) as Melomys lorentzii .

Discussion: Usually listed as a subspecies of Melomys levipes [= Peramelomys lorentzii ] ( Laurie and Hill, 1954; Tate, 1951), lorentzii is a distinct species morphologically related to P. moncktoni ( Menzies, 1996, and our observations). P. lorentzii and P. moncktoni have not yet been recorded as sympatric, but they both occur along the Fly River in S Papua New Guinea. Paramelomys lorentzii was collected by members of the Archbold 1936-1937 Expedition along the upper Fly River and downriver to Lake Daviumbu in the middle Fly River; P. moncktoni was collected opposite Sturt Isl on the lower Fly River, about 115 direct air miles (185 km) southeast of Lake Daviumbu.