Rhipidomys modicus, Thomas, 1926

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Cricetidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 204-535 : 489

614.

Lesser Peruvian Climbing Rat

Rhipidomys modicus

French: Rhipidomys du Pérou / German: Kleine Peru-Neuweltklettermaus / Spanish: Rata trepadora de Per pequena

Other common names: Lesser Peruvian Rhipidomys, Peruvian Climbing Mouse, Peruvian Rhipidomys

Taxonomy. Rhipidomys modicus Thomas, 1926 , “Puca Tambo, 5100’ [= 1554 m],” San Martin, Peru .

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. E Andean slopes in N & C Peru, S of the Rio Maranon.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 130-165 mm, tail 175 mm, ear 28-30 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Moderately large rat with medium to dark yellowish to reddish brown-agouti dorsum, well streaked with dark guard hairs and rather coarse and short; venter has whitetipped fur, with very pale to dark gray bases; and orange pectoral spot is sometimes present. Tail is medium to dark brown, and shaft is lightly haired and terminates in pencil rarely exceeding 15 mm. Ears are rather small. Hindfeet are moderately large and broad, with broad dark patch on dorsal surfaces that sometimes extends onto digits. Adult Lesser Peruvian Climbing Rats are similar in size to juvenile White-footed Climbing Rats ( R. leucodactylus ).

Habitat. Lower montane forest, cloud forest, and eastern Andean slopes at elevations of 700-1800 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Lesser Peruvian Climbing Rat is presumably arboreal and terrestrial and is active at night.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Thomas (19264), Tribe (1996, 2015), Zeballos & Vivar (2016a).

Figures

592. Merida Montane Mouse (Aepeomys lugens), 593. Reig’s Montane Mouse (Aepeomys reig), 594. Smoky Forest Mouse (Chilomys fumeus), 595. Colombian Forest Mouse (Chilomys instans), 596. Long-tongued Arboreal Mouse (Rhagomys longilingua), 597. Brazilian Arboreal Mouse (Rhagomys rufescens), 598. Broad-footed Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys latimanus), 599. Lesser Colombian Climbing Rat (Rhaprdomys caucensis), 600. Greater Colombian Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys similis), 601. Tawny-bellied Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys fulviventer), 602. Venezuelan Climbing Rat (Rhpidomys venezuelae), 603. Coues’s Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys couesi), 604. Charming Climbing Rat (Rhpidomys venustus), 605. Turimiquire Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys tenuicauda), 606. Wetzel’s Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys wetzeli), 607. White-footed Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys leucodactylus), 608. Albuja’s Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys albujar), 609. Splendid Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys nitela), 610. McConnell’s Tepui Climbing Rat (Rhupndomys macconnells), 611. Snethlage’s Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys emiliae), 612. Cariri Climbing Rat (Rhipudomys cariri), 613. Ipuca Climbing Rat (RhAipidomys ipukensis), 614. Lesser Peruvian Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys modicus), 615. Gardner’s Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys gardneri), 616. Yellow-bellied Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys ochrogaster), 617. Cerrado Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys macrurus), 618. Long-tailed Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys mastacalis), 619. Tribe’s Climbing Rat (RhAipidomys tribei), 620. Sky Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys itoan), 621. Southern Climbing Rat (Rhipidomys austrinus)

Distribution. E Andean slopes in N & C Peru, S of the Rio Maranon.