Pogonomys

The prehensile tail rats ( Pogonomys ) are a rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ). The genus includes five species.

General

Prehensile tail rats are relatively small, mouse -like animals. They reach a body length 9-15 centimeters, the tail is 13 to 24 centimeters considerably longer than the body and the weight is up to 95 grams. The coat is soft and woolly, its color varies from red-brown on the top and gray to blackish, the underside is colored white or light gray. The long, useful for gripping tail is provided with large scales, it is mainly brown colored, only the tip is flesh colored. The ears are small, the eyes large, however.

Prehensile tail rats live in New Guinea and offshore islands and Australia. Their habitat are forests from sea level up to 3,000 meters above sea level. They are nocturnal, during the day they retreat into underground burrows. You can climb well and keep at times on the trees. Their diet consists mainly of leaves and shoots.

System

Within the Altweltmäuse the prehensile tail rats are the namesake of the Pogonomys - generic group, a predominantly native to New Guinea group that acts as yet the genera Abeomelomys, Squirrel Tooth rats ( Anisomys ) Chiruromys, Coccymys, Coryphomys, white ear - giant rats ( Hyomys ), Guinea - small tooth rats ( Macruromys ), giant tree rats ( Mallomys ) Mammelomys, Pogonomelomys, Flores cave rat ( Spelaeomys ), and New Guinea, white-tailed rats ( Xenuromys ) includes.

According to genetic studies of Lecompte et al. (2008) are the animals of the Pogonomys group is part of a widespread mainly in New Guinea and Australia Radiation of Altweltmäuse, the Hydromyini. This includes radiation nor the Chrotomys group that Hydromys group that Lorentzimys group that Pseudomys group that Uromys group and the Xeromys group. With the authentics rats ( Rattus), however, they are only distantly related.

There are five types.

• Pogonomys championi inhabited a small area in the central New Guinea.
• Pogonomys fergussoniensis is endemic to the east of New Guinea lying D' Entrecasteaux Islands.
• Pogonomys loriae is spread all over New Guinea.
• Pogonomys macrourus lives in New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago upstream, there is also a population in northeastern Australia.
• Pogonomys sylvestris inhabited different regions of New Guinea.

P. fergussoniensis applies due to the small distribution area and the destruction of their habitat, according to IUCN as " critically endangered " ( endangered ), for P. championi lacked data, the other three species are common and not endangered.