Rhynchomeles prattorum

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	PERAMELEMORPHIA	PERAMELIDAE

Scientific Name:

Rhynchomeles prattorum

Species Authority:

Thomas, 1920

Common Name/s:

English	–	Seram Bandicoot, Ceram Bandicoot
French	–	Péramèle De Céram

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Leary, T., Wright, D., Hamilton, S., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Bonaccorso, F., Helgen, K., Seri, L., Allison, A., Aplin, K., Dickman, C. & Salas, L.

Evaluator/s:

Lamoreux, J. & Hilton-Taylor, C. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
Listed as Endangered because its extent of occurrence is much less than 5,000 km², its area of occupancy is less than 500 km², all individuals are known from a single location, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat on the island of Seran due to forest clearance at lower altitudes. This species also could be in decline as the result of introduced species.

History:

1996	–	Data Deficient (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)
1994	–	Indeterminate (Groombridge 1994)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is only known from a series of seven specimens collected in February 1920 at a single locality on the island of Seram, Indonesia. One of the specimens was collected at 1,800 m asl.
Countries:	Native: Indonesia
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	The population abundance of this species is not known. More recent surveys undertaken on Seram have not been conducted at the elevational range of this montane species. There have been no surveys undertaken in the upper moss forests.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species was recorded from upper montane tropical forest. Little more is known about the species natural history.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The lower altitude forests of Seram are being cleared for timber and conversion to cultivated land. This affects the upper montane forest by increasing desiccation and making it more susceptible to fire. Pigs, rats, and dogs (and possibly cats) have been introduced to the island and they might be adversely affecting the species through both habitat degradation and predation.

Major Threat(s):

The lower altitude forests of Seram are being cleared for timber and conversion to cultivated land. This affects the upper montane forest by increasing desiccation and making it more susceptible to fire. Pigs, rats, and dogs (and possibly cats) have been introduced to the island and they might be adversely affecting the species through both habitat degradation and predation.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The locality where the species was collected is protected – Munusela National Park. Further surveys are needed to confirm whether or not the species still exists and also to see if it occurs elsewhere in other ranges on the island. It should also be looked for on the island of Buru.

Conservation Actions:

The locality where the species was collected is protected – Munusela National Park. Further surveys are needed to confirm whether or not the species still exists and also to see if it occurs elsewhere in other ranges on the island. It should also be looked for on the island of Buru.

Citation:	Leary, T., Wright, D., Hamilton, S., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Bonaccorso, F., Helgen, K., Seri, L., Allison, A., Aplin, K., Dickman, C. & Salas, L. 2008. Rhynchomeles prattorum. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 January 2009.
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