Maxomys hellwaldii (Jentink 1878)

[Maxomys] hellwaldii (Jentink 1878), Notes Leyden Mus ., 1: 11.

Type Locality: Indonesia, Sulawesi, NE peninsula, Menado.

Vernacular Names: Hellwald's Sulawesi Maxomys.

Synonyms: Maxomys cereus (Miller and Hollister 1921); Maxomys griseogenys (Sody 1941); Maxomys localis (Miller and Hollister 1921) .

Distribution: Throughout Sulawesi in tropical lowland evergreen rain forest, sea level to 3300 ft (1006 m; Musser and Holden, 1991; Musser, ms).

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (lc).

Discussion: Among Sulawesian representatives of Maxomys, M. hellwaldii is most closely related to M. dollmani and two undescribed species in highlands of C Sulawesi (Musser, 1991; Musser, ms). Spermatozoal morphology unlike species of Malayan Maxomys studied, and more similar to members of Margaretamys, another Sulawesian endemic (Breed and Musser, 1991). There is appreciable morphological variation among samples from different regions of the island, which may reflect presence of more than one species (Musser, ms). Stomach morphology described and contrasted with other Sulawesian endemics by Musser and Durden (2002).