Callistomys pictus

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	ECHIMYIDAE

Scientific Name:

Callistomys pictus

Species Authority:

(Pictet, 1841)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Painted Tree-rat, Painted Tree Rat

Synonym/s:

Echimys pictus (Pictet, 1841)

Isothrix picta Pictet, 1841

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,iv) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Moura, R.T. & da Fonseca, G.A.B.

Reviewer/s:

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

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Listed as Endangered because its extent of occurrence is less than 5,000 km², its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat. There is an outlying species record which has not been considered in its extent of occurrence, because it was only sited once and there is no contiguous habitat between this point and the coastal locality where all other sitings occurred.

History:

2000	–	Data Deficient
1996	–	Data Deficient

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species occurs in eastern Brazil (Emmons et al., 2002); it is concentrated around Região de Ilhéus-Itabuna; also one record from 1997 is known in Eliseo Medrado Municipality, Bahia State. The extent of occurrence is approximately 15,000 km², not including outlier record in Eliseo Medrado (Moura, R. pers. comm.).
Countries:	Native: Brazil
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Some interviews with locals indicate that this species was abundant in past, but it has been more difficult to locate recently (R. Moura pers. comm).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species lives on cacao plantations and consumes cacao leaves, but further research is required to determine what its original habitat was before its association with humans; it is likely to have been a forest inhabitant (R. Moura pers. comm.).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The destruction of forests for pasture represents a serious threat to the survival of Callistomys pictus and other species in southern Bahia. This rodent inhabits lands predominated by cacao cultivation, also being turned over for pasture lands, coffee plantations and eucalyptus timber. It is hunted. Road construction is fragmenting some of its natural habitat.

Major Threat(s):

The destruction of forests for pasture represents a serious threat to the survival of Callistomys pictus and other species in southern Bahia. This rodent inhabits lands predominated by cacao cultivation, also being turned over for pasture lands, coffee plantations and eucalyptus timber. It is hunted. Road construction is fragmenting some of its natural habitat.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The species is not recorded from any protected areas, however, it would benefit from areas of its known range being given protected area status. Studies are needed to provide better information on population size, biology and ecology of the species and to determine the best plan for conservation action. The species would further benefit from habitat restoration, enforcement of existing restrictions on hunting and a captive breeding programme to release individuals into natural habitat.

Conservation Actions:

The species is not recorded from any protected areas, however, it would benefit from areas of its known range being given protected area status. Studies are needed to provide better information on population size, biology and ecology of the species and to determine the best plan for conservation action. The species would further benefit from habitat restoration, enforcement of existing restrictions on hunting and a captive breeding programme to release individuals into natural habitat.

Citation:	Moura, R.T. & da Fonseca, G.A.B. 2008. Callistomys pictus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 26 May 2013.
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