Paramelomys lorentzii (Jentink 1908)

[Paramelomys] lorentzii (Jentink 1908), Nova Guinea, 9: 3.

Type Locality: New Guinea, Prov. of Papua (= Irian Jaya), Lorentz River, Resi Camp, 900 m.

Vernacular Names: Lorentz's Paramelomys.

Distribution: New Guinea; specimens are from lowlands along the south side of Central Cordillera, from Mimika River in SW Prov. of Papua (= Irian Jaya) to middle altitudes and lowlands of the upper and middle Fly River; sea level to 780 m (based on specimens examined in AMNH and BMNH); limits unknown.

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (lc) as Melomys lorentzii .

Discussion: Usually listed as a subspecies of Melomys levipes [= Peramelomys lorentzii] (Laurie and Hill, 1954; Tate, 1951), lorentzii is a distinct species morphologically related to P. moncktoni (Menzies, 1996, and our observations). P. lorentzii and P. moncktoni have not yet been recorded as sympatric, but they both occur along the Fly River in S Papua New Guinea. Paramelomys lorentzii was collected by members of the Archbold 1936-1937 Expedition along the upper Fly River and downriver to Lake Daviumbu in the middle Fly River; P. moncktoni was collected opposite Sturt Isl on the lower Fly River, about 115 direct air miles (185 km) southeast of Lake Daviumbu.