Phloeomys pallidus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	RODENTIA	MURIDAE

Scientific Name:

Phloeomys pallidus

Species Authority:

Nehring, 1890

Common Name/s:

English

–

Northern Luzon Phloeomys, Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat

Taxonomic Notes:

The species is highly variable at least in pelage color and there is taxonomic uncertainty regarding some populations, the genetic boundary between this species and P. cumingi requires clarification. There is uncertainty whether this species is valid (L. Heaney pers. comm.)

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Heaney, L., Balete, D., Rosell-Ambal, G., Tabaranza, B., Ong, P., Ruedas, L. & Oliver, W.

Reviewer/s:

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

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern as the species is widespread, tolerant of a diversity of habitats, and appears to withstand heavy hunting pressure. Nevertheless, taxonomic questions need resolution.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/near threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to the Philippines where it is restricted to the Luzon Faunal Region (Heaney et al. 1998; Musser and Carleton 2005) where it is found only in northern and central Luzon island (Abra, Benguet, Kalinga-Apayao, Laguna, Nueva Viscaya provinces) (Oliver et al. 1993). There are recently verified records also from Bataan/Zambales region (P. Ong unpubl. data), and Sierra Madre (P. Ong pers. comm.; Heaney et al. 1998) from sea level to 2,000 m. It occurs also on Mt. Amuyao (L. Heaney pers. comm.).
Countries:	Native: Philippines
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species is widespread and apparently relatively common in forests and is evidently able to withstand sustained hunting pressure over prolonged periods (e.g. it is moderately common in Mt. Amuyao and fairly heavily hunted there; L. Heaney pers. comm.) It occurs sympatrically with Crateromys schadenbergi in the southern Cordillera Central.
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is found in primary and secondary forest (Thomas 1898; Rabor 1955; Heaney et al. 2004/2005), as well as heavily disturbed scrub (Oliver et al. 1993). It can also occur in some severely degraded or predominantly agricultural habitats, especially plantations.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The species is under heavy hunting pressure, it is taken for food (Pasicolan 1993; Oliver et al. 1993). There is extensive forest loss, especially in the lowlands, but the species appears to persist in these areas.

Major Threat(s):

The species is under heavy hunting pressure, it is taken for food (Pasicolan 1993; Oliver et al. 1993). There is extensive forest loss, especially in the lowlands, but the species appears to persist in these areas.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Resolution of taxonomic questions is needed to identify potentially important subpopulations.

Conservation Actions:

Resolution of taxonomic questions is needed to identify potentially important subpopulations.

Citation:	Heaney, L., Balete, D., Rosell-Ambal, G., Tabaranza, B., Ong, P., Ruedas, L. & Oliver, W. 2008. Phloeomys pallidus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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