Seram Bandicoot

Seram Bandicoot
Seram Bandicoot[1]
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Peramelemorphia
Family: Peramelidae
Genus: Rhynchomeles
Thomas, 1920
Species: R. prattorum
Binomial name
Rhynchomeles prattorum
Thomas, 1920
Seram Bandicoot range

The Seram Bandicoot (Rhynchomeles prattorum), also known as the Seram Island Long-nosed Bandicoot, is a member of the order Peramelemorphia. The species was described from a collection of seven specimens, made in 1920 at the Indonesian island of Seram, the only record of its existence. It is classified as an endangered species on the Red List of the IUCN, due to its narrow distribution range and noted as data deficient. Conservation of the species, if extant, is threatened by clearing of lower altitude forests near its type locality. The introduction of pigs, dogs, and other feral animals could cause a decline in population. The collection of the type specimens was made in tropical upper montane forest, in Manusela National Park, with one specimen obtained at an altitude of 1800 metres asl. The surrounding region has not been surveyed for this species, although an occurrence in Buru has been suggested.[2]

References

  1. ^ Groves, Colin P. (16 November 2005). "Order Peramelemorphia (pp. 38-42)". In Wilson, Don E., and Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. (2142 pp.). p. 42. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=10900054. 
  2. ^ a b Leary, T., Wright, D., Hamilton, S., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Bonaccorso, F., Helgen, K., Seri, L., Allison, A., Aplin, K., Dickman, C. & Salas, L. (2008). Rhynchomeles prattorum. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 28 December 2008. Database entry includes justification for why this species is listed as endangered
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