Melanomys caliginosus (Tomes, 1860)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6707142 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6727356 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F06D13-FF1C-20D5-089F-10770E92F64F |
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treatment provided by |
Carolina |
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scientific name |
Melanomys caliginosus |
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505. View Plate 24: Cricetidae
Dusky Rice Rat
Melanomys caliginosus View in CoL
French: Mélanomys sombre / German: Dunkelreisratte / Spanish: Rata arrocera oscura
Other common names: Dusky Melanomys
Taxonomy. Hesperomys caliginosus Tomes, 1860 , Esmeraldas, Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
M. caliginosus includes Oryzomys phaeopus Thomas, 1894 , type species of the genus Melanomys Thomas, 1902 . Several nominal forms are currently subsumed under M. caliginosus , including Oryzomys phaeopus , O. phaeopus obscurior, O. phaeopus olivinus, O. ( Melanomys ) obscurior affinis , Melanomys caliginosus oroensis, M. affinis monticola , M, phaeopus vallicola, M. phaeopus tolimensus, M. lomitensis, and M. buenavistae. As for the entire genus, taxonomy in M. caliginosus needs a comprehensive revision. Monotypic.
Distribution. WC Colombia S to SW Ecuador. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head—body 100-140 mm, tail 70-111 mm, ear 16 mm, hindfoot 24-28 mm. The Dusky Rice Rat is geographically variable but overall very dark dorsally. See general characters of the genus under the Black-and-Yellow Rice Rat ( M. chrysomelas ) account. Upperparts are brown washed, rather pale yellow and finely lined with black, especially along middle of back; underfur is grayish plumbeous, with hairs black basally; sides are less dark and more yellowish than middle of back; venteris pale gray at base, tipped with pale buffy yellow, forming heavy conspicuous yellow wash; tail, ears, and feet are dark brown; and tail is naked, faintly lighter below than above.
Habitat. Andean and Pacific forests from sea level to elevations of ¢.2300 m.
Food and Feeding. No information.
Breeding. In Choc6, Colombia, reproductively active Dusky Rice Rats were recorded in March; a pregnant female gave birth to two young.
Activity patterns. The Dusky Rice Ratis terrestrial.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Bibliography. Allen (1913b), Cadena et al. (1998), Cassola (2016ab), Hanson & Bradley (2008), Thomas (1902d), Weksler & Loss (2015).
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.
