416.

Highland Rice Rat

“Handleyomys” rhabdops

French: Oryzomys de montagne / German: Hochland-Reisratte / Spanish: Rata arrocera de tierras altas

Other common names: Highland Oryzomys, Striped Rice Rat

Taxonomy. Oryzomy rhabdops Merriam, 1901, Calel, 10,000 ft (= 3048 m), Totonicapan, Guatemala.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. C Chiapas, S Mexico, and WC & EC Guatemalan Highlands.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 114-117 mm,tail 138-141 mm, hindfoot 28-5-29-5 mm (holotype measurements). No specific data are available for body weight. The Highland Rice Rat is a medium-sized species of “ Handleyomys,” with long pelage (longer hairs on dorsum c.11 mm); color is rather pale, with upperparts near ocherous tawny and richest and purest on cheeks, shoulders, and sides; back is darkened by black hairs; sides of muzzle and underparts are generally light ocherous buffy; nose is deep black, except extreme tip which, like lips,is whitish; ears are black, with more or less distinct light ocherous buffy subauricular spots.

Habitat. Cloud forests and mixed forests of pine-oak at elevations of 1300-3000 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Highland Rice Rat is nocturnal and terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. The Highland Rice Rat occurs in less than 20,000 km?, its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is continuing decline in extent and quality of its habitat.

Bibliography. Goldman (1918a), Merriam (1901a), Musser & Carleton (2005), Reid & Vazquez (2008).