Mastacomys Thomas 1882

Mastacomys Thomas 1882, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 5, 9: 413.

Type Species: Mastacomys fuscus Thomas 1882

Species and subspecies: 1 species:

Species Mastacomys fuscus Thomas 1882

Discussion: Pseudomys Division. Included in Pseudomys by Musser and Carleton (1993), who followed the action of Watts et al. (1992). Mahoney and Richardson (1988) and Happold (1995) maintained Mastacomys separate from Pseudomys . A recently completed DNA sequencing study by F. Ford (James Cook University, Townsville), utilizing several different mitochondrial and nuclear genes, strongly supports the inclusion of fuscus within Pseudomys as currently constituted. The diversity within Pseudomys, however, is such as to warrant recognition of several genera including Mastacomys (F. Ford, in litt., 2004). Mahoney and Richardson (1988) cataloged distributional, taxonomic, and biological references. Member of Australian Old Endemics (Musser, 1981 c; Watts and Aslin, 1981).