Pseudohydromys

The Guinea - moss mice ( Pseudohydromys ) are a rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ). The genus includes twelve species, all of which are native to New Guinea.

These rodents reach a body length 7-12 cm, additionally there is a 9 to 10 inch long tail. The weight of these animals is 13 to 20 grams. Their fur is dark brown or dark gray at the top, the underside is lighter. The snout is elongated, the skull flat. The toes are connected by small, floating skin-like membranes

They are found in New Guinea. Their habitat are mountain forests up to 3600 meters above sea level. Despite the generic name, which suggests a similarity to the swimming rats ( Hydromys ), they show no adaptations to aquatic life, but are rural residents. Their diet consists mainly of insects.

There are 12 species distinction (selection):

• The Shaw -Mayer- mouse ( Pseudohydromys ellermani ) is the only rodent only one molar per half of the jaw and thus the fewest teeth of all rodents. Previously, it was incorporated into the genus Mayermys.
• Pseudohydromys fuscus is widespread in eastern New Guinea. It has been previously incorporated into the monotypic genus Neohydromys.
• Pseudohydromys Germanic was described in 2005 and is only one point in the far south-east of New Guinea known.
• Eastern moss mouse ( Pseudohydromys murinus ) inhabits the eastern New Guinea.
• Western moss mouse ( Pseudohydromys occidentalis ) is known from two populations in the central New Guinea.
• Pseudohydromys musseri ( Flannery, 1989) is known only from a single specimen, which was found in 1972 in the northern New Guinea. This species has a brownish fur. Pseudohydromys musseri was counted long time to the genus Microhydromys, but found again in 2009 in the genus Pseudohydromys.

For P. germani, P. occidentalis and P. Musseri there is too little data, the other three species are not endangered according to the IUCN.

Systematically, the genus within the Altweltmäuse is classified in the Xeromys group.