Oecomys

The two-color rice rats ( Oecomys ) are a living in Central and South America rodent genus of the group of the New world. They comprise 15 species.

Features

Two-color rice rats reach a body length 12-15 cm and a tail length of 12 to 16 centimeters. The weight, if known, 20 to 70 grams. Their fur is brown, reddish brown or blackish colored at the top and speckled with black hair, the underside is white or light brown. The tail is hairy, with some species also slightly bushy. The feet are broad and adapted to a climbing lifestyle.

Dissemination and lifestyle

These rodents live in southern Central and northern South America, their range extends from Costa Rica into middle Brazil. They inhabit both grasslands and forests.

Very little is known about the lifestyle. Many species are arboreal, but some often stay on the ground.

According to IUCN, the species O. cleberi is at high risk, it is only known from the Brazilian Federal District. All other species are not threatened.

The types

Wilson & Reeder (2005) distinguish 15 types:

  • Oecomys Auyantepui lives in southern Venezuela, Guyana in the three countries and in northern Brazil.
  • Oecomys bicolor is spread by Ostpanama into middle Brazil.
  • Oecomys catherinae inhabited southeastern Brazil.
  • Oecomys cleberi is at risk known and strong only in the Federal District of Brazil.
  • Oecomys concolor occurs from southern Venezuela to northern Bolivia, the exact distribution is unclear.
  • Oecomys flavicans inhabited Colombia and Venezuela.
  • Oecomys mamorae lives in Bolivia, northern Paraguay and western Brazil.
  • Oecomys pari cola is native to Brazil south of the Amazon, the exact distribution is unclear.
  • Oecomys phaeotis inhabited - if known - the eastern Peru.
  • Oecomys rex lives in southern Venezuela, Guyana in the three countries and in northern Brazil.
  • Oecomys roberti is distributed from southern Venezuela to central Brazil.
  • Oecomys rutilus occurs in the three countries Guyana and northern Brazil.
  • Oecomys speciosus lives in Colombia, Venezuela and the island of Trinidad.
  • Oecomys superans comes from Colombia to Peru before.
  • Oecomys trinitatis is distributed from Costa Rica to central Brazil, including the island of Trinidad.
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