Rattus simalurensis

684.

Simalur Archipelago Rat

Rattus simalurensis

French: Rat de Simeulue / German: Simalur-Ratte / Spanish: Rata de Simalur

Other common names: Simalur Rat

Taxonomy. Mus simalurensis G. S. Miller, 1903,

“Simalur Island, ” Sumatra, Indonesia.

Phylogenetic relationship of R. simalurensis in Rattus is currently unknown, although it may be related to R.tiomanicus, of which it may be anisland variant of other Sundaic Island rats (R. burrus, R. adustus, and R. lugens) based on morphology. Two subspecies have been recognized in the past. Monotypic.

Distribution. Simalur, Siumat, Lasia, and Babi Is, off NW Sumatra.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 200- 213 mm,tail 176-198 mm, hindfoot 39-2- 42-2 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Simalur Archipelago Rat is large and similar to the Malaysian Field Rat (R. tiomanicus). Pelage is dense, fine, and moderately coarse, with grooved spines and black guard hairs throughout, both having metallic iridescence at ends. Dorsum is grizzled black, with dull ocherous buff, and light-er along sides. Venteris buff, with somewhat gray streak on chest. Feet are dull brownish. Ears are dark brown. Tail is a little shorter than head-body length and dark brown. Skull has narrow rostrum and long and narrow incisive foramina. There are five pairs of mammae: one pectoral, one post-axillary, one abdominal, and two inguinal.

Habitat. Probably forests and forest edges.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Simalur Archipelago Rat has a limited distribution (less than 3900 km?) and has not been studied well enough to understand its natural history, taxonomy, or conservation threats. It is probably threatened by forest loss and competition with the Roof Rat (R. rattus) and the Pacific Rat (R. exulans).

Bibliography. Clayton (2016h), Corbet & Hill (1992), Miller (1903a), Molur et al. (2005), Musser (1986), Musser & Carleton (2005), Musser & Califia (1982), Musser & Heaney (1985).