Rhizomys sumatrensis

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	SPALACIDAE

Scientific Name:

Rhizomys sumatrensis

Species Authority:

(Raffles, 1821)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Indomalayan Bamboo Rat, Large Bamboo Rat

Taxonomic Notes:

This may be a complex of several species (K. Aplin pers. comm.).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Aplin, K. & Lunde, D.

Reviewer/s:

Johnston, C.H. & Chanson, J. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern because it is very widespread, has a presumed large population, and its populations are not declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. This is probably a species complex that will need to be reevaluated for conservation status once resolved.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This is a widespread species occurring in China (Yunnan), Myanmar, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Malay Peninsula and Sumatra (Indonesia) (Musser and Carleton 2005; Smith and Xie 2008). It occurs at elevations ranging from 1,000-4,000 m asl (Lekagul and McNeely 1977).
Countries:	Native: Cambodia; China (Yunnan); Indonesia (Sumatera); Lao People's Democratic Republic; Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia); Myanmar; Thailand; Viet Nam
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	It may be common where it is not hunted. It was formerly abundant in southern Myanmar, but now appears to be absent from this area. According to Wiles (1981) this species is common in lowland bamboo forest and uncommon in upland bamboo forest in Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary in southwestern Thailand. It was found in good numbers in southern Yunnan (Mengla Area) in the 1990’s (A. Cleveland pers. comm.).
Population Trend:	Unknown

Population:

It may be common where it is not hunted. It was formerly abundant in southern Myanmar, but now appears to be absent from this area. According to Wiles (1981) this species is common in lowland bamboo forest and uncommon in upland bamboo forest in Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary in southwestern Thailand. It was found in good numbers in southern Yunnan (Mengla Area) in the 1990’s (A. Cleveland pers. comm.).

Population Trend:

Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species occurs in secondary forest where it feeds on bamboo roots (Lekagul and McNeely 1977; Corbet and Hill 1992). It also feeds on cultivated tapioca and sugar cane (Corbet and Hill 1992). It is a nocturnal species (Smith and Xie 2008). Ithas moderate tolerance to human disturbance (Aplin and Lunde 2006). They are reproductive biannually, February-April and August-October (Smith and Xie 2008). Gestation is 22 days and litter size is 3-5 (Smith and Xie 2008). Longevity is four years (Smith and Xie 2008).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

This species occurs in secondary forest where it feeds on bamboo roots (Lekagul and McNeely 1977; Corbet and Hill 1992). It also feeds on cultivated tapioca and sugar cane (Corbet and Hill 1992). It is a nocturnal species (Smith and Xie 2008). Ithas moderate tolerance to human disturbance (Aplin and Lunde 2006).

They are reproductive biannually, February-April and August-October (Smith and Xie 2008). Gestation is 22 days and litter size is 3-5 (Smith and Xie 2008). Longevity is four years (Smith and Xie 2008).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	It is extensively hunted in some parts of its range.

Major Threat(s):

It is extensively hunted in some parts of its range.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is present in Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary (Thailand) and is probably present in other protected areas. Further studies are needed into the taxonomy, distribution, and use/harvest trends of this species.

Conservation Actions:

This species is present in Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary (Thailand) and is probably present in other protected areas. Further studies are needed into the taxonomy, distribution, and use/harvest trends of this species.

Bibliography [top]

	Aplin, K. and Lunde, D. 2006. Rhizomys sumatrensis. Available at: http://www.ieaitaly.org/samd/. (Accessed: April 23). Corbet, G. B. and Hill, J. E. 1992. Mammals of the Indo-Malayan Region: A Systematic Review. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Lekagul, B. and Mcneely, J. A. 1977. Mammals of Thailand. White Lotus Press, Bangkok, Thailand. Musser, G. G. and Carleton, M. D. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. In: D. E. Wilson and D. A. Reeder (eds), Mammal Species of the World: a geographic and taxonomic reference, pp. 894-1531. The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, USA. Smith, A. and Xie, Y. 2008. The Mammals of China. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. Wang, S. and Xie, Y. 2004. China Species Red List. Vol. 1 Red List. Higher Education Press, Beijing, China. Wiles, G. J. 1981. Abundance and habitat preferences of small mammals in southwestern Thailand. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 29: 44-54.

Aplin, K. and Lunde, D. 2006. Rhizomys sumatrensis. Available at: http://www.ieaitaly.org/samd/. (Accessed: April 23).

Corbet, G. B. and Hill, J. E. 1992. Mammals of the Indo-Malayan Region: A Systematic Review. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.

Lekagul, B. and Mcneely, J. A. 1977. Mammals of Thailand. White Lotus Press, Bangkok, Thailand.

Musser, G. G. and Carleton, M. D. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. In: D. E. Wilson and D. A. Reeder (eds), Mammal Species of the World: a geographic and taxonomic reference, pp. 894-1531. The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, USA.

Smith, A. and Xie, Y. 2008. The Mammals of China. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.

Wang, S. and Xie, Y. 2004. China Species Red List. Vol. 1 Red List. Higher Education Press, Beijing, China.

Wiles, G. J. 1981. Abundance and habitat preferences of small mammals in southwestern Thailand. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 29: 44-54.

Citation:	Aplin, K. & Lunde, D. 2008. Rhizomys sumatrensis. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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