Giant naked-tailed rat

The mosaic -tailed giant rat ( Uromys ), sometimes referred to as Giant - naked-tailed rats are a rodent genus of the subfamily Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ). The genus includes ten species.

Features

These rodents reach a body length 20-34 inches, additionally there is a 23 to 38 centimeters long tail. It weighs 350-1020 grams. Their fur is short and usually harsh, at the top varies its color from gray to various shades of brown to blackish, the underside is whitish or gray. The scales of the most sparsely hairy tail are arranged mosaic -like in contrast to most other Altweltmäusen. In some species the tail is completely black, others white at the top or yellow.

Dissemination and lifestyle

Mosaic -tailed giant rat living in New Guinea, including offshore islands in the far north of Queensland (Australia ) and on the Solomon Island of Guadalcanal. Most species can climb well and are tree dwellers. Their tail is not developed as a prehensile tail, but they can wrap it around branches, where he thanks to the special arrangement of the scales provides a firm grip. Only two species, U. imperator and U. porculus, are bottom dwellers. They build nests in tree hollows. Their diet consists of nuts, fruits and flowers.

Adjustments by introduced cats and other animals as well as habitat destruction threaten the mosaic -tailed giant rat. Three of the ten species may already be extinct, are listed by the IUCN to the confirmation as " threatened with extinction " ( critically endangered ). Only two species are not at risk, according to IUCN.

System

Within the Altweltmäuse the mosaic -tailed giant rat are the namesake of the Uromys - generic group, a person living in Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands group nor the genera mosaic tail rats includes next ( Melomys ) Paramelomys, Protochromys and naked-tailed rat ( Solomys ).

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

The genus includes ten types which can be divided into two subgenera:

• Subgenus Cyromys - these animals live on Guadalcanal Uromys imperator has not been sighted since the late 19th century and is possibly already extinct.
• Uromys porculus has also not been seen since the late 19th century and is possibly already extinct.
• Uromys rex is " critically endangered " ( endangered ).

• The black-tailed giant rat or mountain - mosaic -tailed giant rat ( Uromys anak ) is widespread in New Guinea Central African mountains.
• The Biak - giant rat ( Uromys boeadii ) lives only on the island of Biak. Their population is rapidly decreasing, the species is considered " threatened with extinction " ( critically endangered ).
• The white-tailed giant rat ( Uromys caudimaculatus ) is widespread in New Guinea and northeastern Australia.
• Uromys emmae is known only from the island Owi off the north coast of New Guinea and possibly already extinct.
• Uromys hadrourus lives in northeast Queensland and is considered "at risk" ( vulnerable ).
• The Bismarck Giant Rat ( Uromys neobritannicus ) inhabited the island of New Britain and is called " high risk " ( endangered ) listed.
• Uromys siebersi living on the Kai Islands. Your level of danger is unclear.