Mammelomys rattoides (Thomas 1922)

[Melomys] rattoides Thomas 1922, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 9, 9: 263.

Type Locality: New Guinea, NW Prov. of Papua (= Irian Jaya), Mamberano River, Pionier-bivak (2°20'S, 138°0' E), 200 ft (61 m).

Vernacular Names: Lowland Mammelomys.

Distribution: New Guinea; N slopes and lowlands from the Mamberano River in Prov. of Papua (= Irian Jaya) through lower slopes north of Idenberg River to the Telefomin region in West Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea (Flannery and Seri, 1990) and eastward to the Gogol River in Madang Province; between sea level and 1500 m (Menzies, 1996); also on Yapen Isl in NE Prov. of Papua (= Irian Jaya) (Flannery, 1995 b; AMNH 160268 and 222193, BMNH 46.643); limits of range unknown on mainland.

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (lc).

Discussion: Distribution based on specimens we studied in AMNH and BMNH, and Menzie’s (1996) account. Tate's (1951:290) record of M. rattoides from Cyclops Mtns is based on M. lanosus . Closest relative is M. lanosus, which occurs in montane forests at higher altitudes than M. rattoides (see account of M. lanosus).