Maxomys

Maxomys surifer

The Rajah rats ( Maxomys ) are a rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ).

General

Rajah rats reach a body length 10-24 inches, added a 8 to 22 centimeters long tail. Weight may vary depending on the type 35-285 grams. Their fur is at the top of reddish brown to dark brown in color, the underside is white, gray or light brown. Even the scaly tail is above colored dark and light below. Characteristic of the genus are slender and elongated hind foot, the relatively short tail and various details in the skull structure.

The distribution area of the Rajah rats extends into Southeast Asia from Myanmar to Sulawesi. They live on the floor of tropical rainforests and never climb trees. You create burrows that lead to a padded with leaves nest chamber. The food is mainly roots, fallen fruit and other plant parts, as well as complementary feeding insects. All Rajah rats live hidden and avoid the proximity of humans.

System

According to Wilson & Reeder (2005) take the Rajah rats within the Altweltmäuse an isolated position and are therefore in a separate class group, filed the Maxomys group. According to genetic studies of Lecompte et al. (2008) they are part of a widespread mainly in Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia Radiation of Altweltmäuse, the Rattini.

A total of 17 species are distinguished:

• Maxomys alticola lives in northern Borneo.
• Maxomys baeodon is known from a few scattered locations in northern Borneo.
• Maxomys bartelsii inhabited the western and central Java.
• Maxomys dollmani is endemic to Sulawesi.
• Maxomys bright waldi also only occurs on Sulawesi.
• Maxomys hylomyoides, a little-known type, lives in western Sumatra.
• Maxomys inas inhabits the Malay Peninsula.
• Maxomys inflatus lives in mountainous areas on Sumatra.
• Maxomys moi occurs in Vietnam and Laos.
• Maxomys musschenbroekii is located on the island of Sulawesi.
• Maxomys ochraceiventer lives in parts of northern Borneo.
• Maxomys pagensis is endemic to the Mentawai Islands off the coast of Sumatra.
• Maxomys Panglima inhabited Palawan and adjacent islands in the southern Philippines.
• Maxomys rajah occurs on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo.
• Maxomys surifer, the most widespread way of living in much of Southeast Asia to Java and Borneo.
• Maxomys wattsi is known only from one locality in Sulawesi.
• Maxomys whiteheadi occurs on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo.

The IUCN lists pagensis M. and M. wattsi as " critically endangered " ( endangered ), M. inflatus, M. rajah and M. whiteheadi are considered "at risk" ( vulnerable ). For baeodon M., M. dollmani, M. and M. hylomyoides ochraceiventer too little data are available, the remaining species are " not at risk " ( least concern ).