411.

Long-nosed Rice Rat

“ Handleyomys" rostratus

French: Oryzomys a long nez / German: Langnasen-Reisratte / Spanish: Rata arrocera de hocico largo

Other common names: Long-nosed Oryzomys

Taxonomy. Oryzomys rostratus Merriam, 1901, Metlaltoyuca, Puebla, Mexico.

Cytochrome-b data suggest existence of two clades, well-structured geographically. A set of species, mainly Central American in distribution, traditionally contained in Oryzomys (“chapmani species complex” [chapman, saturatior, and guerrerensis] and part of the transandean section of the “ nitidus species complex” [ alfaroi, melanotis, rhabdops, and rostratus]) belongs in an apparently new unnamed genus. This genus appears to be sister to the oryzomyine Handleyomys, and here these species are allocated provisionally under the informal name “ Handleyomys,” following M. Weksler in 2015. Monotypic.

Distribution. E & S Mexico, including Yucatan Peninsula, N Guatemala, SW Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 100-140 mm,tail 120-150 mm, ear 17-22 mm, hindfoot 27-33 mm; weight 30-55 g. The Long-nosed Rice Rat is a medium-sized species of “ Handleyomys,” with reddish brown dorsum, white venter, and well-defined countershading. Ears are blackish, covered by thin reddish hair. Ungual tufts surpass claws in hindfoot. Tail is bicolored.

Habitat. Deciduous and evergreen tropical forests from sea level to elevations of c.1500 m. The Long-nosed Rice Rat is found in a variety of habitats from plantations and modified forest to mature forest and gallery forest in arid environments.

Food and Feeding. The Long-nosed Rice Rat is probably omnivorous.

Breeding. Breeding of the Long-nosed Rice Rat probably occurs year-round. Litters have 2-6 young.

Activity patterns. The Long-nosed Rice Rat is nocturnal and terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. Almendra et al. (2014), Engstrom (1984, 2014b), Jones & Engstrom (1986), Musser & Carleton (2005), Reid (2009), Reid & Vazquez (2016), Villalba (2015), Weksler (2015a).