Paramelomys naso

290.

Long-nosed Mosaic-tailed Rat

Paramelomys naso

French: Mélomys a long nez / German: Langnasen-Mosaikschwanzratte / Spanish: Rata de cola moteada de hocico largo

Other common names: Long-nosed Paramelomys

Taxonomy. Uromys naso Thomas, 1911,

“ ‘Whitewater Camp,’ Kafari River, [Nassau Range,] SW. New Guinea. Alt. 400’ [= 122m).”

Paramelomys naso was considered a synonym of P. levipes (within genus Melomys) by various authors, including T. F. Flannery in 1995, but a revision by J. I. Menzies in 1996 found it to be a valid species on basis of morphological and classic morphometric grounds. According to Menzies,it be-

longs to a group oflarge species including P. levipes and P. mollis. Monotypic.

Distribution. SW New Guinea, and Wokam I (Tanahbesar), N Aru Is.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 158-191 mm, tail 132 mm, ear 21 mm, hindfoot 33— 38 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Long-nosed Mosaic-tailed Rat is very similar to Lorentz’s Mosaic-tailed Rat (P. lorentzii) and the Papuan Lowland Mosaic-tailed Rat (P. levipes), butit has a longer and more compressed skull and has longer feet. The brown to rufous dorsal pelage contrasts with a grayish-white belly. Tail is shorter than head-body length, and has only one hair perscale; it is bicolored, being dull above and paler below.

Habitat. [Lowland forest from sea level to 1000 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Long-nosed Mosaic-tailed Rat is terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Longnosed Mosaic-tailed Rat is widespread and is found in a National Park. No major threats have been reported.

Bibliography. Flannery (1995b), Menzies (1996).