Simalur Archipelago Rat

discussion

Discussion: Rattus rattus species group. The form simalurensis and its two synonyms were each listed as a separate subspecies of R. rattus by Chasen (1940), but simalurensis is distinct from R. rattus and in morphology represents larger-bodied island variants of R. tiomanicus (Musser, 1986; Musser and Califia, 1982; Musser and Heaney, 1985); simalurensis, babi, and lasiae were included in R. tiomanicus by Corbet and Hill (1992). Whether populations on the Simalur islands are distinct species or insular representatives of R. tiomanicus that occur off the margin of the continental shelf will have to be determined by systematic revision of the R. tiomanicus complex. Recent morphometric analyses indicate R. simalurensis to be more closely tied to R. burrus (Nicobar Isls), R. lugens (Mentawai Arch.), and R. adustus (Pulau Enggano) than to R. tiomanicus (Musser, ms).

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

distribution

Distribution: Simalur Isl and nearby islands of Siumat, Lasia, and Babi.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

discussion

COMMENTS: The form simalurensis and its two synonyms were each listed as a separate subspecies of R. rattus by Chasen (1940), but simalurensis is distinct from R. rattus and in morphology represents slightly larger-bodied island variants of R. tiomanicus (Musser, 1986; Musser and Califia, 1982; Musser and Heaney, 1985). Whether populations on Simalur islands are distinct species or insular representatives of R. tiomanicus occurring off the margin of the continental shelf will have to be determined by systematic revision of the R. tiomanicus complex.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

distribution

DISTRIBUTION: Simalur Isl and nearby islands of Siumat, Lasia, and Babi.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae