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22 March 2016 A new genus and species of omnivorous rodent (Muridae: Murinae) from Sulawesi, nested within a clade of endemic carnivores
Kevin C. Rowe, Anang S. Achmadi, Jacob A. Esselstyn
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Abstract

We document a new genus and species of rodent (Muridae) from the west-central region of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. The new taxon is known only from the type locality at around 1,600 m elevation on Mt. Gandangdewata of the Quarles Range, in the district of Mamasa. With phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from 5 unlinked loci, we infer that the new taxon is sister to the Sulawesi water rat, Waiomys mamasae, and nested within a clade of rodents from Sulawesi that otherwise feed exclusively on invertebrates. The new species is distinguishable from other rodents of Sulawesi by the combination of its small, slender body; soft, gray–brown fur; small, rounded ears; long, sparsely haired tail; long, fine mystacial vibrissae; gracile cranium; short rostrum; pronounced lacrimal bone; prominent, sickle-shaped coronoid process; and pale orange enamel on labial surface of incisors. Unlike its closest relatives, the new species feeds on both plant and animal matter, and may represent a rare evolutionary reversal of traits associated with a carnivorous diet in murids.

© 2016 American Society of Mammalogists, www.mammalogy.org
Kevin C. Rowe, Anang S. Achmadi, and Jacob A. Esselstyn "A new genus and species of omnivorous rodent (Muridae: Murinae) from Sulawesi, nested within a clade of endemic carnivores," Journal of Mammalogy 97(3), 978-991, (22 March 2016). https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyw029
Received: 20 September 2015; Accepted: 15 February 2016; Published: 22 March 2016
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