288.

Montane Soft-furred Mosaic-tailed Rat

Paramelomys mollis

French: Mélomys doux / German: \Weichfell-Mosaikschwanzratte / Spanish: Rata de cola moteada de pelaje suave de montafa

Other common names: Montane Soft-furred Paramelomys, Thomas's Melomys, Thomas's Mosaic-tailed Rat

Taxonomy. Uromys mollis Thomas, 1913,

“ ‘Camp Padang, 6 c.” Altitude 5500" [= 1676 m]. Southern slope of Mt. Carstenz, Charles Louis Mts. [= Nassau Range], Dutch New Guinea [= Papua Province, New Guinea], on Upper Utakwa River.”

First described in genus Uromys, then incorporated into Melomys (subgenus Paramelomys) as a synonym of M. levipes by H. Rummler in 1936, P. mollis was finally rehabilitated by J. I. Menzies in 1996. According to Menzies, P. mollis belongs in a group that includes also P. levipes and P. naso . Monotypic.

Distribution. Central Cordillera of New Guinea.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 130-182 mm, tail 140 mm, ear 21 mm, hindfoot 26— 37 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. This large Paramelomys species is characterized by a dense and woolly fur, and a narrow hindfoot. Montane Softfurred Mosaic-tailed Rats display a reddish-brown to dark brown dorsal pelage, a dark eye-ring, and gray cheeks. Tail may be shorter or longer (91-126%) than head-body length; itis dark above and pale below, with one hair per scale. Females have two pairs of mammae.

Habitat. Montane tropical forest and old rural garden plots, at elevations between 1200 m and 2200 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. Has a low reproductive rate; females give birth to a single young.

Activity patterns. The Montane Soft-furred 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 Montane Soft-furred Mosaic-tailed Ratis widespread acrossits range.

Bibliography. Flannery (1995b), Menzies (1996), Rimmler (1936).