9.

Major's Tufted-tail Rat

Eliurus majori

French: Rat-loir de Major / German: Major-Bilchschwanz / Spanish: Rata de cola de penacho de Major

Other common names: Major's Tuft-tailed Rat

Taxonomy. Eliurus major: Thomas, 1895,

“ Ambolimitombo Forest [= Ambohimitambo], Central Madagascar. Alt. 4500 feet [= 1372 m).”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to the Central Highlands and N & E Madagascar.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 138-164 mm, tail 150-192 mm; weight 56-5— 93 g. Pelage of Major’s Tufted-tailed Rat is silkier and woollier than most other congeneric species. Dorsum is slightly light to dark blackish gray, and venter is light gray. Distal one-fourth of tail is covered with sparse black hairs that become progressively thicker toward tip; tails of some individuals end with a terminal white tuft. Tarsi are gray, and broad feet and toes are white.

Habitat. Broad distribution in humid lowland, montane, and sclerophyllous forests at elevations of 875-2400 m.

Food and Feeding. Major’s Tufted-tailed Rat is largely granivorous but also eats fruits.

Breeding. Reproduction of Major’s Tufted-tailed Rat is during the wet season, with young born in late November through December. Females have three pairs of mammae, and maximum litter size is five young.

Activity patterns. Major’s Tufted-tailed Rat is nocturnal and largely arboreal, although on rare occasions it is captured on the ground. Distinctly broad feet and associated toe structure are indicative of ability to move across trunks, branches, and lianas of different size. It is known to be preyed on by Fosas (Cryptoprocta ferox).

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Major’s Tufted-tail Rat is forest-dwelling and is known from numerous localities along the complete length of Madagascar’s eastern montane humid forests. Given its occurrence in forest habitats, which to a large extent are not under extensive human pressure,its medium-term future seems relatively assured.

Bibliography. Carleton (1994, 2003), Carleton & Goodman (2000), Carleton & Schmidt (1990), Goodman & Carleton (1998), Goodman, Langrand & Rasolonandrasana (1997), Goodman, Soarimalala et al. (2013), Jenkins & Carleton (2005), Maminirina et al. (2008), Soarimalala & Goodman (2011).