Rattus fuscipes

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:

Rattus fuscipes

Species Authority:

(Waterhouse, 1839)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Bush Rat

Taxonomic Notes:

The four currently recognized subspecies are genetically quite distinct from each other (K. Aplin pers. comm.).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Menkhorst, P., Lunney, D., Ellis, M., Burnett, S. & Friend, T.

Reviewer/s:

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

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, large population, occurrence in a number of protected areas, lack of major threats, and because it is unlikely to be declining.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to Australia, where it is widely distributed mainly along the forested and coastal heath of the southern and eastern portions of the country. It is also present on a number of offshore islands (including Kangaroo Island) (Lunney 2008).
Countries:	Native: Australia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	It is generally common in most parts of its range, and locally abundant. It is very common, for instance, in coastal heaths (A. Burbidge pers. comm.).
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Recorded from subalpine woodland, coastal scrub, coastal heath, eucalypt forest, and tropical moist forest. It is a largely terrestrial and ground-dwelling species that occurs in areas with a dense undergrowth of shrubs and ferns (Lunney 2008). Females give birth to about five young and several litters may be produced in a good season (Lunney 2008).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This species is very sensitive to habitat disturbance and land clearing, and may be threatened in parts of its range by inappropriate fire regimes and bushfire, as well as logging activities.

Major Threat(s):

This species is very sensitive to habitat disturbance and land clearing, and may be threatened in parts of its range by inappropriate fire regimes and bushfire, as well as logging activities.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	It is present in a number of protected areas.

Conservation Actions:

It is present in a number of protected areas.

Citation:	Menkhorst, P., Lunney, D., Ellis, M., Burnett, S. & Friend, T. 2008. Rattus fuscipes. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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