Tokudaia osimensis

530.

Amami Spiny Rat

Tokudaia osimensis

French: Mulot dAmami / German: Amami-Inselstachelratte / Spanish: Rata espinosa de Amami

Other common names: Amami Oshima Spiny Rat, Ryukyu Spiny Rat

Taxonomy. Rattus jerdoni osimensis Abe, 1933,

Sumiyo, Mt. Kiyago-kan, Amami- oshima, Ryukyu Iskands, Japan.

Morphology and cytogenetics of 1. osimensis were reviewed by Y. Kaneko in 2001 and by H. Endo and K. Tsuchiya in 2006. Monotypic.

Distribution. Amami Oshima (Ryukyu Is), S Japan.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 103- 160 mm, tail 83-5—135 mm, ear 22-23 mm, hindfoot 28-8-34 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Dorsal pelage is orange-tinged dark brown, with white to gray underparts. Long hairs around mouth and eyes extend to 30 mm. Pelage is dense and long, with gray spiny hairs of 20 mm ending with black tip. Tail is shortish (60-100% of head-body length). Females bear two pairs of mammae. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 25, FN = 46.

Habitat. Broadleaf secondary forest with chinquapins (Castanopsis, Fagaceae).

Food and Feeding. Diet consists of seeds of chinquapins, sweet potatoes, and ants and their larvae.

Breeding. Reproduction occurs during October-December. Litter size is 1-7.

Activity patterns. Amami Spiny Rats are terrestrial and probably nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List owing to its small range, habitat degradation, predation by domestic dogs, cats, and introduced mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus), and competition with the Roof Rat (Rattus rattus).

Bibliography. Abe et al. (2005), Endo &Tsuchiya (2006), Kaneko (2001), Ohdachi et al. (2015), Suzuki et al. (2000).