| Batomys uragon | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Batomys |
| Species: | B. uragon |
| Binomial name | |
| Batomys uragon Baleteet al., 2015 | |
Batomys uragon (proposed common nameMount Isarog hairy-tailed rat) is a species ofcloud ratendemic tothe Philippines. It was first discovered in 1988, and the full description was published in 2015, in theProceedings of the Biological Society of Washington.[1] It is so far found only onLuzon, the largest island in the Philippines. The first specimen was collected fromMount Isarog at the southern side of the island. Other 14 specimens were later collected. It is the fourth species of mammal (so far known) living only on that mountain. The new species was described byDanilo S. Balete, Eric A. Rickart, Lawrence R. Heaney, and Sharon A. Jansa.[2] It was classified as new species based on DNA analyses and structural descriptions (morphometric analyses). It is different from its closest relative, theLuzon hairy-tailed rat (Batomys granti), in its cytochromeb sequence, moderate body size, colour patterns, and skull structure.
The specific nameuragon is aBicol word, the language of the local people, theBicolanos in Luzon. Having no direct English rendering, the word is loosely translated as "possessing great ability, vitality, or power". This is to attribute the species for its dispersal ability, persistence, and uniqueness to theBicol Peninsula.[1]
The first specimen (now the holotype) ofB. uragon was collected by Eric A. Rickart, Curator of Vertebrates at theNatural History Museum of Utah, on 25 April 1988. It is an old adult male. He found it while in the faunal expedition atMount Isarog, about 4 km (2.5 mi) from theNaga City in Camarines Sur Province. The expedition was funded byU.S. National Science Foundation and theSmithsonian Institution.[2] The rat was in the mossy forest, at about 1,750 m (5,740 ft) above sea level. Later, 14 specimens were collected from around the same region. The specimens are deposited at theNational Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.[1] DNA studies were performed by Sharon A. Jansa.[2]
Of the species ofBatomys known to live onMount Isarog, thelarge-toothed hairy-tailed rat (B. dentatus) is distinct. ButB. granti is basically similar toB. uragon.B. uragon differs fromB. granti in slightly larger body, longer legs, but shorter tail, and larger skull. Males are larger than females. Males measure around 19.83 cm (7.81 in) in length, while females are around 18.82 cm (7.41 in). Thissexual dimorphism is almost absent inB. granti, as both males and females are about 19 cm (7.5 in). The tail length is 14.4 cm (5.7 in) in males, and 14.16 cm (5.57 in) in females. The total body weight is 178 g (6.3 oz) for males, and 177 g (6.2 oz) for females.Karyotype shows that it has 52 chromosomes (haploid, n=26). The colour of thefur is pale golden-brown. There are colour variations in individuals. One male specimen has a small pale brown patch of fur on the left side of the lower abdomen. Theholotype has a pale golden fur, paler than other specimens.[1]
B. uragon only lives in high altitude regions, between 1,350 and 1,800 m (4,430 and 5,910 ft) above sea level. They live in old-growth montane and mossy forest, where there are thick leaf litters and humus layers. They eat nuts and seeds, hence, they havegranivorous-frugivorous diet. They arenocturnal and good climbers.[1]