Phyllomys mantiqueirensis Leite 2003
Creators: name: Don E. Wilson
name: Thomas E. Lacher, Jr
name: Russell A. Mittermeier
Publisher: name: Lynx Edicions
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Rodentia
Echimyidae
Phyllomys
Phyllomys mantiqueirensis

description: 92.
Serra da Mantiqueira Atlantic Tree-rat
Phyllomys mantiqueirensis
French: Rat-épineux de la Mantiqueira / German: Serra-da-Mantiqueira-Kistenbaumratte / Spanish: Rata arboricola atlantica de Mantiqueira
Other common names: Mantiqueira Atlantic Tree-rat
Taxonomy. Phyllomys mantiqueirensis Leite, 2003,
“Fazenda da Onca, 13 km SW Delfim Moreira, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 22°36’S 45°20°W, 1850 m.”
This species is monotypic.
Distribution. SE Brazil, Mantiqueira Mts in Minas Gerais State.
Descriptive notes. Head-body 217 mm, tail 216 mm; weight 207 g. The Serra da Mantiqueira Atlantic Tree-rat is mediumsized and has brownish-gray upper parts. Dorsal pelt is soft, densely furred, with hairy tail that is tufted at tip. Aristiforms on rump are blackish distally, average 24 mm in length, and very thin. Belly is pale brown, with white-based cream-yellow—tipped hairs. Soft tail is equal to head-body length, covered with brown hairs darker than grayish body color; hairs become more abundant and longer from base totip oftail. Tail tuft is 30 mm long and very distinct. Interorbital region is narrow; lacrimal process is well developed. Rostrum is short and broad; incisive foramina are small and oval-shaped. Mandible has slim and long coronoid process and deep sigmoid notch.
Habitat. Steep slopes in cool montane rainforest at an elevation of 1850 m (based on only one specimen). This habitat is very distinct, specific, and naturally restricted. It is known only from the type locality where open overstory is composed of short (10 m) canopy trees and tall emergent araucarias (Araucaria angustifolia, Araucariaceae). Dense understory is composed of ferns, bamboos, vines, lianas, shrubs, and lichens. Type specimen was collected on a 2m high liana connecting two trees.
Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Serra da Mantiqueira Atlantic Tree-rat has lophodont cheekteeth that suggest a folivorous diet.
Breeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Serra de Mantiqueira Atlantic Tree-rat probably nests aboveground in tree hollows.
Activity patterns. There is no specific information are available for this species, but the Serra da Mantiqueira Atlantic Tree-rat is probably nocturnal.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Serra da Mantiqueira Atlantic Tree-rat is arboreal and probably solitary.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Extent of occurrence of the Serra da Mantiqueira Atlantic Tree-rat is estimated to be less than 100 km?, it is known from only a single location, and there has been continuing decline in quality and availability of habitat. It is currently protected from indiscriminate exploitation at the type locality, which belongs to the Brazilian Army. Nevertheless, it is probably restricted to high-elevation mixed evergreen araucaria forests in the Serra da Mantiqueira, a very specific and naturally restricted habitat. Additional ecological studies ofthis Serra da Mantiqueira Atlantic Tree-rat are needed.
Bibliography. Leite (2003), Leite & Loss (2015), Loss & Leite (2011), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005).
description: Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Echimyidae, pp. 552-604 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on pages 599-600, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6623649