Nesomys rufus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	RODENTIA	NESOMYIDAE

Scientific Name:

Nesomys rufus

Species Authority:

Peters, 1870

Common Name/s:

English

–

Eastern Red Forest Rat, Island Mouse

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

Goodman, S. & Rakotondravony, D.

Reviewer/s:

Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Hoffmann, M. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, presence in a number of protected areas, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species occurs in the middle- and high-altitude humid forest regions of central, eastern and north-eastern Madagascar, from Manongarivo east to Tsaratanana and the mountains ringing the Andapa Basin south to Andohahela National Park (Ryan 2003). It has an altitudinal range of 750 to 2,300 m asl.
Countries:	Native: Madagascar
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Based on standard trapping techniques, this species can be common at certain sites.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This is a terrestrial, diurnal species of middle- and montane humid forest. Animals use a number of burrows which are often situated under logs, brush piles and other ground cover. Individuals may be found scavenging at rubbish pits and camps within the forest. The litter size is presumably one or two young. This species may be found outside of the forest feeding on crops in tavy fields, although usually only when these are adjacent to forested areas (Ryan 2003; D. Rakotondravony pers. comm.).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

This is a terrestrial, diurnal species of middle- and montane humid forest. Animals use a number of burrows which are often situated under logs, brush piles and other ground cover. Individuals may be found scavenging at rubbish pits and camps within the forest. The litter size is presumably one or two young. This species may be found outside of the forest feeding on crops in tavy fields, although usually only when these are adjacent to forested areas (Ryan 2003; D. Rakotondravony pers. comm.).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This species is threatened by habitat loss through clearance of forest for cultivated land. There is good evidence that all Nesomyinae species (especially those found over 800 m) are susceptible to 100% mortality from plague from introduced rodents - these seem to be localized events.

Major Threat(s):

This species is threatened by habitat loss through clearance of forest for cultivated land. There is good evidence that all Nesomyinae species (especially those found over 800 m) are susceptible to 100% mortality from plague from introduced rodents - these seem to be localized events.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is present in many protected areas, including Ranomafana National Park, Mantadia National Park and Analamazaotra Special Reserve.

Conservation Actions:

This species is present in many protected areas, including Ranomafana National Park, Mantadia National Park and Analamazaotra Special Reserve.

Bibliography [top]

	CBSG. 2002. Evaluation et Plans de Gestion pour la Conservation (CAMP) de la Faune de Madagascar: Autres Mammiferes. 20-25 Mai 2001 Mantasoa, Madagascar. IUCN\\SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group. Garbutt, N. 2007. Mammals of Madagascar: a complete Guide. A&C Black, London, UK. Jansa, S. A. and Carleton, M. D. 2003. Systematics and Phylogenetics of Madagascar's Native Rodents. In: S. M. Goodman and J. P. Benstead (eds), The Natural History of Madagascar, pp. 1257-1265. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, USA and London, UK. Ryan, J. M. 2003. Nesomys, Red Forest Rat, Voalavo Mena. In: S. M. Goodman and J. P. Benstead (eds), The Natural History of Madagascar, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, USA and London, UK.

CBSG. 2002. Evaluation et Plans de Gestion pour la Conservation (CAMP) de la Faune de Madagascar: Autres Mammiferes. 20-25 Mai 2001 Mantasoa, Madagascar. IUCN\\SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group.

Garbutt, N. 2007. Mammals of Madagascar: a complete Guide. A&C Black, London, UK.

Jansa, S. A. and Carleton, M. D. 2003. Systematics and Phylogenetics of Madagascar's Native Rodents. In: S. M. Goodman and J. P. Benstead (eds), The Natural History of Madagascar, pp. 1257-1265. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, USA and London, UK.

Ryan, J. M. 2003. Nesomys, Red Forest Rat, Voalavo Mena. In: S. M. Goodman and J. P. Benstead (eds), The Natural History of Madagascar, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, USA and London, UK.

Citation:	Goodman, S. & Rakotondravony, D. 2008. Nesomys rufus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 10 February 2012.
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