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Chaetomys subspinosus

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
ANIMALIA CHORDATA MAMMALIA RODENTIA ERETHIZONTIDAE

Scientific Name: Chaetomys subspinosus
Species Authority: (Olfers, 1818)
Common Name/s:
English – Bristle-spined Rat, Thin-spined Porcupine

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria: Vulnerable   B1ab(ii,iii,iv)   ver 3.1
Year Assessed: 2008
Assessor/s Catzeflis, F., Patton J., Percequillo, A., Bonvicino, C. & Weksler, M.
Evaluator/s: Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Schipper, J. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)
Justification:
This species is listed as Vulnerable because its remaining area of occupancy (estimated from remaining native forest habitat) is less than 2,000 km², its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is an inferred continuing decline in the extent and quality of its forest habitat. There is a striking transition of their known extent of occurrence from primary forest to cacao plantations and early studies have determined that the species is found much more commonly in the Restingas and only consumes leaves from forest.
History:
1996 – Vulnerable (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)
1994 – Vulnerable (Groombridge 1994)
1990 – Indeterminate (IUCN 1990)
1988 – Indeterminate (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
1986 – Indeterminate (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)
1982 – Indeterminate (Thornback and Jenkins 1982)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description: This species occurs in fragments of Brazilian rain forests of Bahia, Espirito Santo and possibly Rio de Janeiro States (there are no confirmed reports of the species occurring in this state (Faria, in litt., 2006), its range is relatively restricted. It also occurs in Sergipe State.
Countries:
Native:
Brazil
Range Map:
(click map to view full version)
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Population [top]

Population: This rodent is found more commonly in Restingas, in northeastern Brazil, but this could be a factor of access (Faria pers. comm.). The main population strongholds are in Bahia along the coast in the north and southeast of the state and in Espirito Santo State where it can be found in protected areas including Sooretama Biological Reserve, Paulo Cesar Vinha State Park, Vale do Rio Doce Reserve, and in mountain forests in the Santa Teresa region.
Population Trend: Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology: This species is nocturnal and almost entirely arboreal; it occurs in primary and secondary rainforests; it feeds on leaves. Found most commonly along forest edge. Preliminary radio-telemetry indicates that cacao plantations are used to transit between forest fragments, but not as primary habitat. Its folivore diet does not include cacao leaves (Faria pers. comm.).
Systems: Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s): The main threat to this species is the loss of its habitat to agriculture, in particular cocoa plantations. This fragmentation of its habitat is resulting in the creation of isolated populations. This rodent is hunted for food.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions: This species occurs in some state and federal parks and reserves. Deborah Faria is developing management plan for this species.
Citation: Catzeflis, F., Patton J., Percequillo, A., Bonvicino, C. & Weksler, M. 2008. Chaetomys subspinosus. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 02 December 2008.
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