Echiothrix

The Sulawesi spiny rats ( Echiothrix ) are a rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ). The genus includes two species.

General

The body length of these animals is 20 to 25 centimeters, the tail measures 23 to 25 inches and the weight is 220-310 grams. The coat consists of both softer hair and bristly spines out, it is gray or gray-brown on the top, the underside is light gray to white. The face is elongated and ensures a shrew -like impression, the scaly tail is hairless.

These rodents live on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, their habitat are low-lying rainforests. They are nocturnal bottom dwellers and feed primarily on earthworms.

System

According to Wilson & Reeder (2005) take the Sulawesi spiny rats within the Altweltmäuse an isolated position and are therefore in a separate class group, filed the Echiothrix group. It is probably an old endemic species on Sulawesi, whose relationships are unclear with other Altweltmäusen.

There are two types:

• Echiothrix cent pink in the middle and northern Sulawesi, and
• Echiothrix leucura at the top of northeastern peninsula.

Both species are threatened by the destruction of their habitat. The IUCN lists E. leucura as " critically endangered " ( endangered ) and E. cent pink as "at risk" ( vulnerable ).