Rhizomys sinensis

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	SPALACIDAE

Scientific Name:

Rhizomys sinensis

Species Authority:

Gray, 1831

Common Name/s:

English

–

Chinese Bamboo Rat

Taxonomic Notes:

This is generally considered to be a species complex, which possibly contains a number of restricted range species (K. Aplin, D. Lunde and G. Musser pers. comm.).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published:	2008
Assessor/s:	Lunde, D., Aplin, K. & Musser, G.
Reviewer/s:	Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Chanson, J. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)
Contributor/s:
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 a species complex that will need to be reevaluated for conservation status once resolved.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is found in southern China, northern Myanmar, and northern Viet Nam (Thorington and Hoffmann 2005). It may be present in Lao PDR, however, the range in this country needs to be confirmed. Allen (1938) gave the elevational range of this species as 1,219-3,962 m asl.
Countries:	Native: China (Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang); Myanmar; Viet Nam
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	It is common in some parts of its range, for instance it is considered to be a plantation crop pest species in China (Ken Aplin pers. comm.).
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species may be largely confined to the bamboo belt of montane forest (Lunde et al. 2006). It has been recorded from plantations in some parts of its range. It is a burrow-dwelling species (Smith and Xie 2008). Predators include the red panda (MacClintock 1988) and the snow leopard (Johnson et al. 1993). It has moderate tolerance to human disturbance (Lunde et al. 2006).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The species is heavily harvested for food in some parts of its range.

Major Threat(s):

The species is heavily harvested for food in some parts of its range.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species occurs in Niumulin, Wuyishan, Nanling, Heishidingkuoyelin, Dayaoshanshuiyuanlin (Guangxi), Daozhendashahe, Xishuizhongyaredaisenlin, Fanjingshan (Guizhou), Maolan, Shennongjia, Houhe, Taoyuandong, Dongdongtinghu (Hunan), Mangshan, Poyanghuhouniao, Yanquan, Taohongling, Jinggangshan, Taibaishan, Foping, Wanglang, Wolong, Jinfoshan, Ailaoshan, Changshanerhai, Tongbiguan, Wawushan, Nandongtihu Shidi and Shuiqin, Xiaoxi, Meihualutiebu, Nanjingnanyaredaiyulin (CSIS 2008), and Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserves (Liu et al. 2005) and may be present in additional protected areas. Further studies are needed into the distribution, taxonomy, and impacts of exploitation on the population. In China, this species has been regionally Red Listed as Least Concern (Wang and Xie 2004).

Conservation Actions:

This species occurs in Niumulin, Wuyishan, Nanling, Heishidingkuoyelin, Dayaoshanshuiyuanlin (Guangxi), Daozhendashahe, Xishuizhongyaredaisenlin, Fanjingshan (Guizhou), Maolan, Shennongjia, Houhe, Taoyuandong, Dongdongtinghu (Hunan), Mangshan, Poyanghuhouniao, Yanquan, Taohongling, Jinggangshan, Taibaishan, Foping, Wanglang, Wolong, Jinfoshan, Ailaoshan, Changshanerhai, Tongbiguan, Wawushan, Nandongtihu Shidi and Shuiqin, Xiaoxi, Meihualutiebu, Nanjingnanyaredaiyulin (CSIS 2008), and Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserves (Liu et al. 2005) and may be present in additional protected areas. Further studies are needed into the distribution, taxonomy, and impacts of exploitation on the population. In China, this species has been regionally Red Listed as Least Concern (Wang and Xie 2004).

Citation:	Lunde, D., Aplin, K. & Musser, G. 2008. Rhizomys sinensis. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 May 2013.
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