388.

Savanna Arboreal Rice Rat

Oecomys speciosus

French: Oecomys superbe / German: Savannen-Baumreisratte / Spanish: Rata arrocera arboricola de sabana

Other common names: Arboreal Rice Rat, Savanna Oecomys

Taxonomy. Oryzomys speciosus J. A. Allen & F. M. Chapman, 1893, Princes Town, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago.

Substantial variation in pelage color is apparent among specimens referred to O. speciosus; an integral study is needed. Monotypic.

Distribution. Extreme NE Colombia, N Venezuela, and Trinidad I.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 107-127 mm, tail 126-150 mm, ear 10-19 mm, hindfoot 24-27 mm; weight 30-50 g. The Savanna Arboreal Rice Ratis medium-sized and less robust than the Unicolored Arboreal Rice Rat ( O. concolor) or the Long-furred Arboreal Rice Rat ( O. trinitatis). Dorsal fur of the Savanna Arboreal Rice Rat is soft, dense, and medium in length (5-8 mm over middle rump). Dorsum is usually rich ocherous tawny, grading to bright ocherous orange along sides of body from nose to rump. Individual variation occurs, with some specimens having redder dorsum and others having darker upperparts, approaching brownish tawny; in many examples, bright ocherous hue is confined to cheeks and attenuates as distinctive lateral line bordering ventral pelage. Venter is typically pure white and contrasts sharply with dorsum. Feet are buffy, and ears are dark brown. Tail is ¢.118% of head-body length and brown throughout; caudal hairs are short over most of tail but lengthen toward tip to end in barely perceptible tuft.

Habitat. Palm and woodland savannas, semideciduous forest, and gallery forest typically at elevations below 400 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Savanna Arboreal Rice Rats are nocturnal and good climbers, usually nesting among leaves of the palm Copernicia (Arecaceae) .

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Savanna Arboreal Rice Rat is locally common in Venezuela, but it is difficult to trap.

Bibliography. Carleton & Musser (2015), Gémez-Laverde, Aguilera et al. (2016), Hershkovitz (1960), Linares (1998), Utrera et al. (2000).