Gymnuromys robert, Forsyth Major, 1896

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Nesomyidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 156-203 : 185

3.

Sleek-furred Ground Rat

Gymnuromys robert

French: Voalavoanala / German: Voalavoanala / Spanish: Rata terrestre de pelaje liso

Other common names: \ Voalavoanala

Taxonomy. Gymnuromys robert: Forsyth Major, 1896 ,

“ Ampitambe forest ,” Fianarantsoa Province, Madagascar.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to E Madagascar.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 156-172 mm, tail 149-199 mm; weight 98-128 g. Coat of the Sleek-furred Ground Rat is dense and short, with mottled gray white dorsal fur that becomes gray to cream on venter. It has round and very prominent ears. Tail is largely naked and bicolored, with dark two-tone gray above and white or light gray below; distal portion ofthe tail has sparse and short white fur. Hindlegs are large.

Habitat. Eastern humid lowland and montane forest at elevations of 500-1625 m.

Food and Feeding. The Sleek-furred Ground Rat consumes a variety of seeds, such as those from Canarium (Burseraceae) by gnawing a hole in the central part to extract the endocarp. It presumably feeds on fruits and invertebrates.

Breeding. Females have three pairs of mammae, and maximum litter size is three young.

Activity patterns. The Sleek-furred Ground Rat is nocturnal, perhaps partially cathemeral, and terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List. The Sleekfurred Ground Rat is forest-dwelling, and it is found in much of the eastern humid forests of Madagascar in numerous localities. Given continued declines in natural forests of this region, particularly those at the lower end ofits elevational range, its mediumand long-term future is uncertain.

Bibliography. Carleton & Goodman (2003b), Carleton & Schmidt (1990), Goodman, Ganzhorn & Rakotondravony (2003), Goodman, Soarimalala et al. (2013), Soarimalala & Goodman (2011).

Figures

1. White-tailed Tree Rat (Brachytarsomys albicauda), 2. Hairy-tailed Tree Rat (Brachytarsomys villosus), 3. Sleek-furred Ground Rat (Gymnuromys robert), 4. Antsingy Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus antsingy), 5. Carleton’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus carletoni), 6. Daniel’s Tufted-tail Rat (Elurus daniels), 7. Ellerman’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus ellermani), 8. Grandidier’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus grandidieri), 9. Major's Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus majori), 10. Lesser Tufted-taill Rat (Elurus minor), 11. Milne-Edwards’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus myoxinus), 12. White-tailed Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus penicillatus), 13. Petter’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus petteri), 14. Tanala Tufted-taill Rat (Elwurus tanala), 15. Webb's Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus webbi), 16. Anjozorobe Naked-tail Forest Mouse (Voalavo antsahabensis), 17. Northern Naked-tail Forest Mouse (Voalavo gymnocaudus), 18. Bastard’s Big-footed Mouse (Macrotarsomys bastardi), 19. Ankarafantsika Big-footed Mouse (Macrotarsomys ingens), 20. Petter’s Big-footed Mouse (Macrotarsomys peter), 21. Koopman' ’ s Forest Mouse (Monticolomys koopmani), 22. Giant Jumping Rat (Hypogeomys antimena), 23. Small Short-tailed Rat (Brachywromys betsileoensis), 24. Large Short-tailed Rat (Brachyuromys ramirohitra), 25. Audebert’s Forest Rat (Nesomys audeberti), 26. Lamberton’s Forest Rat (Nesomys lambertoni), 27. Red Forest Rat (Nesomys rufus), 28. Delany’s Swamp Mouse (Delanymys brooksi), 29. African White-tailed Rat (Mystromys albicaudatus), 30. Shortridge’s Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus shortridger), 31. Short-eared Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus monticularis), 32. Barbour’s Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus barbouri), 33. Common Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus collinus)

Distribution. Endemic to E Madagascar.