Spiny Tree Rat

discussion

Discussion: Type locality unknown, given as Amérique méridionale by Desmarest (1817), restricted to Borba, Rio Madeira, Brazil by Tate (1939). However, sequence data from holotype identified close affinities to material from French Guiana and, in consideration of the travel route of the original collector, support the correct placement of the type locality in the state of Amapá, Brazil (Orlando et al., 2003). More than a single species may be represented in this taxon, which demonstrates considerable variation in body size, cranial morphology, and molecular characters (Orlando et al., 2003; Patton et al., 2000; Voss et al., 2001). Includes ferrugineus and spicatus, although both have tasseled tails, a characteristic of the recently described occultus; neither have other morphological characteristics of occultus (Patton et al., 2000). Tentatively includes ecaudatus but see comments under occultus. Formerly included stimulax, see Husson (1978) and comment under that taxon. Karyotype has 2 n = 60 and FN = 116 (Leal-Mesquita, 1991).

Order Rodentia - Family Echimyidae

distribution

Distribution: Amazon Basin of N Bolivia, Peru, E Ecuador, SE Colombia east through S Venezuela, the Guianas, and all of Brazil except east of the Rio Tapajos and south of the Amazon.

Order Rodentia - Family Echimyidae

discussion

COMMENTS: Formerly included stimulax; see Husson (1978: 438).

Order Rodentia - Suborder Hystricognathi

activity

Activity patterns. Trapping data and direct observations of Ferreira’s Spiny Tree-rats indicate that it is nocturnal.

Echimyidae