Saxatilomys

Saxatilomys
S. paulinae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae
Subfamily: Murinae
Genus: Saxatilomys
Musser, 2005
Species: S. paulinae
Binomial name
Saxatilomys paulinae
Musser et al., 2005

Saxatilomys is a genus of murid rodent native to central Laos and Vietnam, containing the sole species Saxatilomys paulinae (commonly known as Pauline's limestone rat). It was first discovered in the Khammouan Limestone National Biodiversity Conservation Area in Khammouan Province, Laos, and also been found in the Vietnamese province of Quang Bình.[1] The genus name is derived from the Latin saxatilis, meaning "among the rocks" and the Greek mys meaning mouse or rat.[2]

Description

Saxatilomys paulinae resembles, and is likely closely related to, species in the genera Niviventer and Chiromyscus . Saxatilomys is distinguished from these and other Indomalayan genera by "semispinous dark gray upperparts, dark frosted gray underparts, large, extremely bulbous footpads, and a combination of derived and primitive cranial and dental traits".[2]

Habitat

S. paulinae is thought to be petricolous and has only been observed in forested, rocky limestone habitats.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Nguyen, Nghia; Nguyen, Dang; Ngo, Tuong; Nguyen, Duy (2015). "New data on recently described rodent species Paulina's Limestone Rat Saxatilomys paulinae Musser, Smith, Robinson & Lunde, 2005 (Mammalia: Rodentia)". Biodiversity Data Journal. 3: e4961. doi:10.3897/BDJ.3.e4961.
  2. 1 2 3 Musser, G.G., Smith, A.L., Robinson, M.F. & Lunde, D.P. (November 2005). "Description of a New Genus and Species of Rodent (Murinae, Muridae, Rodentia) from the Khammouan Limestone National Biodiversity Conservation Area in Lao PDR". American Museum Novitates. 3497: 1–31. ISSN 0003-0082. doi:10.1206/0003-0082(2005)497[0001:DOANGA]2.0.CO;2.

Data related to Saxatilomys at Wikispecies

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