Nesoromys ceramicus (Thomas 1920)

[Stenomys] ceramicus Thomas 1920, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 9, 6: 425.

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

Vernacular Names: Seram Island Mountain Rat.

Distribution: Endemic to montane forests of Pulau Seram.

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (lc) as Stenomys ceramicus .

Discussion: Morphologically superficially similar to the Rattus niobe complex of New Guinea, but may not be closely related to that group (Ellerman, 1941; Flannery, 1995 b). Originally described as a species of Nesoromys (Thomas, 1920 c), but subsequently merged with Stenomys (Rümmler, 1938; Musser and Carleton, 1993). Known only by the type series consisting of three specimens (in BMNH) and an additional example in the Western Australia Museum (Helgen, 2003 b).