341.

Peruvian Fish-eating Rat

Neusticomys peruviensis

French: Ichthyomys du Pérou / German: Peru-Fischratte / Spanish: Rata pescadora de Peru

Other common names: Peruvian Ichthyomyine

Taxonomy. Daptomys peruviensis Musser & Gardner, 1974, “Balta (10° 08’ S, 17° 13’ W), at the point where the streams known to the local Cashinahua Indians as the Inuya and the Xumuya enter the Rio Curanja, elevation 300 meters, Departamento de Loreto, Peru.” This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Currently known from only a few localities in Amazonian lowlands of E Peru.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 114-133 mm, tail 90-110 mm, ear 11-4-12 mm, hindfoot 24-30 mm; weight 37 g. The Peruvian Fish-eating Rat has a bright yellowish brown coat. Tail is densely covered with blackish brown hair and is shorter than head-body length. Eyes and ears are small, and ears are clearly visible above head fur. Dorsum is velvety yellowish brown, venteris yellowish gray, and legs and ears are creamy.

Habitat. Primary evergreen lowland forest.

Food and Feeding. The Peruvian Fish-eating Rat eat aquatic insects and perhaps crabs.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. One Peruvian Fish-eating Rat was captured in a pitfall trap after heavy rain, suggesting terrestrial displacement can occur during this kind of weather.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Medina et al. (2015), Musser & Gardner (1974), Pacheco & Vivar (1996), Vivar & Zeballos (2016), Voss (1988, 2015b).