382.

Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat

Nephelomys nimbosus

French: Néphélomys des brumes / German: Kleine Goldbauch-Reisratte / Spanish: Rata arrocera de vientre dorado pequena

Other common names: Lesser Golden-bellied Nephelomys

Taxonomy. Oryzomys auriventer nimbosus Anthony, 1926, “San Antonio, on Rio Ulva, northeastern slope of Tunguragua, Ecuador, altitude 6700 feet [= 2042 m].”

Nephelomys nimbosus was originally considered a subspecies of Oryzomys auriventer . It is smaller than O. auriventer and differs in color and shape of incisive foramina, which resembles that of N. oerex. It was anticipated that O. auriventer would eventually be considered a subspecies of Oryzomys albigularis, which happened in the early 1960s. Subsequently, O. auriventer was reinstated as a species separate from, although related to, O. albigularis, and nimbosus was considered to belong to the same species. When members of the O. albigularis group, including O. auriventer, were transferred to the new genus Nephelomys in 2006, N. nimbosus was recognized as a distinct species. Monotypic.

Distribution. A few localities in E Andes Range of Ecuador.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 122-144 mm, tail 147-170 mm, ear 19 mm, hindfoot 33 mm; weight 84 g. The Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat is medium-sized, with tail longer than head-body length and bicolored or slightly bicolored. Dorsal pelage is dense and yellowish orange to golden orange, and venter is cream caramel to golden orange, with small white spots on throat.

Habitat. Montane forests at elevations of 2000-2440 m. One Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat was collected on a path to the interior of a forest with abundant mosses, lichens, and epiphytes, predominantly bromeliads; undergrowth was composed of mountain bamboo ( Chusquea sp., Poaceae), and combinations of reeds.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rats are nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The [UCN Red List.

Bibliography. Anthony (1926b), Brito, Tinoco & Sornoza (2015), Percequillo (2003, 20159), Weksler et al. (2006).