Rattus niobe

• 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 niobe; Rattus rattus; Mite
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6868991; http://treatment.plazi.org/id/1E30E27534D6FF66E4522AC07499814B

708. Eastern New Guinea Mountain Rat Rattus niobe French: Rat niobé / German: Kleine Ostneuguinea-Ratte / Spanish: Rata de montana de Nueva Guinea oriental Other common names: Moss-forest Rat Taxonomy. Mus niobe Thomas, 1906, Ow- garra, 2750 m, Angabunga River, Papua New Guinea The R. niobe species complex (R. niobe, R. arrogans, R. pococki, and R. arfakiensis) is in critical need of taxonomic revision. Rattus miobe previously included R. arrogans, R. pococki, and R. arfakiensis, but they are considered separate species here until there is a proper revision of the group. Rattus niobe as currently defined almost certainly represents multiple species because recent genetic studies found that it isnot monophyletic and non-monophyletically clusters variously with R. verecundus, R. steini, R. mordax, and R. praetor. Distribution. E Central Cordillera and Huon Peninsula, New Guinea. Descriptive notes. Head-body 100-135 mm, tail 115-140 mm, ear 15-4-19-6 mm, hindfoot 24-9-29-1 mm; weight 36-55-5 g. The Eastern New Guinea Mountain Rat is the smallest in the R. niobe species complex. Pelage is soft and without spines. Dorsal pelage is dark gray-brown, being nearly black and with rusty tipped hairs, and blends into ventral pelage. Venter is dark gray-brown, with cream to rufous-tipped hairs. Juveniles are duller in color. Feet are lightly covered in silvery and brown hair dorsally. Ears are dark brown and relatively long; vibrissae are long. Tail is ¢.100% of head-body length and unicolored dark brown, with short tail hairs. The mite genus Guntheria and a phoretic pseudoscorpion, Megachernes, have been recorded from the Eastern New Guinea Mountain Rat. Skull has small bulla, with narrow molars. There are three pairs of mammae: one pectoral and two inguinal. Diploid number is 2n = 32, FN = 60. Habitat. Tropical moss forest, areas of degraded forest, and old rural gardens at elevations of 762-4050 m. Food and Feeding. The Eastern New Guinea Mountain Rat is most likely herbivorous and noted to steal sweet potatoes on one ...