Short-footed Luzon tree rat

Short-footed Luzon tree rat
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Muridae
Genus:	Carpomys
Species:	C. melanurus
Binomial name
Carpomys melanurus Thomas, 1895

The short-footed Luzon tree rat or greater dwarf cloud rat (Carpomys melanurus) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. ^[2] It is found only in the Philippines, specifically in northern Luzon. Its natural habitat is tropical moist montane forests. ^[1]

This species was long thought to be extinct. In 2008, Filipino researchers including Dr. Danilo Balete found a specimen in the canopy of Mount Pulag National Park, the first scientifically observed individual of the species since 1896. ^[3] The captured individual was "about 185 grams and has dense soft reddish-brown fur, a black mask around large dark eyes, small rounded ears, a broad and blunt snout and a long tail covered with dark hair". ^[3]

References

1. Heaney, L.; Balete, D.; Rosell-Ambal, G.; Tabaranza, B.; Ong, P. (2008). "Carpomys melanurus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2008. IUCN: e.T3917A10172176. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T3917A10172176.en .
2. Musser, G. G.; Carleton, M. D. (2005). "Superfamily Muroidea". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 894–1531. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
3. "Mammal believed extinct found in mossy forest". CBC News. 2008-05-02. Retrieved 2008-05-02.