New mammal discovered in Indonesia
1st August 2012
Researchers from the University of Rome have discovered a new species of rodent in the tropical rainforests of Indonesia
The rodent, named Margaretamys Christinae, was found in the south-east of Sulawesi, in the Mekkonga mountains. Discovered by Professor Alessio Mortelliti, he named the rodent after his girlfriend Christine, who accompanied him on the expedition. The goal of the expedition was to explore the Mekkonga mountains, retracing the expedition route of the German explorer Gerd Heinrich in 1932.
The rodent lives above 1,500m (the new species was captured at 1,537m) and is part of a family of rodents that is endemic of Sulawesi. It differs from the other similar rodents in that it is smaller, its habitat is at a higher altitude, and it has a white tip on its tail.
“I strongly believe that it is very likely that several other undiscovered species may be present in the area, including other Margaretamys species,” said Professor Mortelliti.
However, there is concern about the species, as two of the other four of the Margaretamys family are listed as 'endangered' and 'vulnerable'. The new species has therefore been proposed to be listed as 'endangered' on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Deforestation for agriculture is the major threat to the species, and around 80% of Sulawesi's forests have been lost or degraded.
“These are all forest species, so are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation,” said Mortelliti. “The Mekongga mountain range is threatened by logging and by expansion of cocoa plantations. The establishment of a protected area will surely help to conserve these rare endemic species.”
More like this
Whale shark freeing caught on camera in Indonesian oceans | News... More
'Extinct' monkey discovered in Borneo | News... More
Sumatran tiger 'severely threatened' by lack of forest undergrowth | News... More
Illicit trade of slow loris in Indonesia is 'frighteningly high' | News... More
Dr Anna Nekaris chats to Wanderlust about saving the world's cutest animal, the slow loris | Interviews... More