762.

Watson’s Climbing Rat

Tylomys watsoni

French: Tylomys de Watson / German: \Watson-Kletterratte / Spanish: Rata trepadora de Watson

Taxonomy. T ylomys watsoni Thomas, 1899, “Bogava, Chiriqui, N.W. Panama, alt. 250 m. ” This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Costa Rica and Panama, throughout the Caribbean and Pacific slopes and the Central Highlands.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 155-290 mm, tail 150-320 mm; weight 196— 252 g. Watson’s Climbing Rat is very similar to Peters’s Climbing Rat (7. nudicaudus), but measurements and shape of skulls differ along with those of the Mira Climbing Rat (7. mirae). Pelage of Watson’s Climbing Rat is dense; dorsum ranges from gray to ocher, with sharp blend of coffee; and venter is white to cream. Legs are brown, with white fingers resembling carrying fingerless gloves. Tail is naked, scaly, and dark at base up to one-third of its length and white distally. Ears are black, large, and bare. Whiskers are long and thick. Skull is elongated, and cranial vault is flattened and depressed toward interorbital region; premaxila extends slightly beyond nose.

Habitat. Deciduous and evergreen tropical forests, mountain forest, secondary vegetation, caves, and rocky areas from sea level to elevations of ¢.2700 m.

Food and Feeding. Diet of Watson’s Climbing Rat is believed to be similar to that of Peters’s Climbing Rat that eats leaves, fruits, and seeds. Watson’s Climbing Rats have been caught in traps baited with mixture of oats and vanilla. In captivity, they eat fruit and oats and is fond of chocolate.

Breeding. Female Watson's Climbing Rat was caught with three embryos in February.

Activity patterns. In Costa Rica, Watson’s Climbing Rats are usually found on forest canopies and are often seen in roof beams of huts and houses, associated with abundant vegetation.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Watson's Climbing Rat has a large distribution and presumably stable overall population,is tolerant of habitat modification, and occurs in protected areas.

Bibliography. Espinoza (2002), Goodwin (1955b), Musser & Carleton (2005), Reid (2009), Thomas (1899c), Vazquez (2016), Wilson & Cole (2000).