Rattus everetti

• Main Authors: Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: Lynx Edicions 2017
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Taxonomy; Animalia; Chordata; Mammalia; Rodentia; Muridae; Rattus; Rattus everetti; Rattus rattus
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6868979; http://treatment.plazi.org/id/1E30E27534C8FF79E15F2B1670A680A4

699. Philippine Forest Rat Rattus everetti French: Rat d’'Everett / German: Philippinen-Ratte / Spanish: Rata de bosque de Filipinas Other common names: Common Philippine Forest Rat Taxonomy. Mus everetti Gunther, 1879, northern Mindanao Island, Philippines. Rattus everetti clusters with Limnomys and Tarsomys, making Rattus paraphyletic, but in other studies, it was found to be closely related to R. exulans. Although additional research is still needed,it could be placed in a separate genus at some point, or Limnomys and Tarsomys will be included within Rattus. There is substantial geographical variation of R. everett among islands that should be examined. Distribution. Philippines, including Luzon, Mindoro, Marinduque, Burias, Ticao, Sibuyan, Catanduanes, Panay, Samar, Calicoan, Leyte, Maripipi, Biliran, Bohol, Dinagat, Siargao, Camiguin, Mindanao, and Basilan Is. Descriptive notes. Head—body 207-237 mm, tail 181-244 mm, ear 25-29 mm, hindfoot 42-50 mm; weight 320-390 g. The Philippine Forest Rat is large, distinctive, and variable, with harsh and somewhat spiny pelage. Dorsum is dark brown, with light black guard hairs; underfur is gray; and pelage is usually lighter on sides and head. Venter is white, with yellowish or orangish hue. Feet are dark dorsally and usually pale ventrally. Ears are similar in color to dorsum. Tail is more than 100% of head-body length, black until about the lower one-half that is white, and tip is usually stained with dirt. Skull has globose bullae and heavy supraorbital and temporal crests. Lice (Polyplax spinulosa), fleas (Chirodiscoides caviae), and mites (Laelaps nuttali) have been recorded on the Philippine Forest Rat. There are four pairs of mammae: two pectoral and two inguinal pairs. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 42, FN = 64-70. Habitat. Primary and disturbed lowland, montane, and mossy forest, including scrubby areas close to forest, at elevations up to 2400 m. The Philippine Forest Rat can also be found in agricultural and disturbed areas commonly. It might have been a ...