| Mallomys Temporal range:Pleistocene to Recent | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mallomys gunung | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Tribe: | Hydromyini |
| Genus: | Mallomys Thomas, 1898 |
| Type species | |
| Mallomys rothschildi | |
| Species | |
Mallomys aroaensis | |
Mallomys is agenus ofrodent in the familyMuridae.[1] The name of the genus is formed from theGreek μαλλός,mallos, wool, and μῦς,mus, mouse/rat. These very large rats weigh between 0.95 and 2 kilograms (2.1 and 4.4 lb) and are native to highlands inNew Guinea.[2] Little is known about their behavior, but they are believed to feed on leaves, grasses and other plant material.[2]
It contains the following species:
Apparently undescribed species ofMallomys have been reported from theFoja Mountains in Northern West Papua,[3] as well as within the crater ofMount Bosavi in theSouthern Highlands of Papua New Guinea.[4]
