Melomys aerosus (Thomas 1920)

[Uromys] aerosus Thomas 1920, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 9, 6: 428.

Type Locality: Indonesia, Pulau Seram, Mt Manusela, 6000 ft (1830 m).

Vernacular Names: Dusky Seram Melomys.

Distribution: Endemic to Seram Isl, 1200-1830 m.

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (nt).

Discussion: Tate (1951:292) suggested a relationship between M. aerosus and the New Guinea M. levipes group, but cranial morphology indicates M. aerosus to be more closely related to Australian species of Melomys, especially M. cervinipes, than to the endemic Melomys of New Guinea (Musser’s study of specimens in BMNH). Menzies (1996:418) noted that M. aerosus "has the long incisive foramina characteristic of the cervinipes division of Melomys " but "does not fit comfortably in any group" Reviewed by Flannery (1995 a) and Helgen (2003 b).