Pogonomys fergussoniensis
| D'Entrecasteaux Archipelago pogonomys | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Subfamily: | Murinae |
| Genus: | Pogonomys |
| Species: | P. fergussoniensis |
| Binomial name | |
|
Pogonomys fergussoniensis Laurie, 1952 |
|
The D'Entrecasteaux Archipelago pogonomys (Pogonomys fergussoniensis), also known as the D'Entrecasteaux Archipelago tree mouse, is a species of prehensile-tailed rat from the family Muridae that is endemic to Papua New Guinea. It was once considered to be a subspecies of the Large Tree Mouse. Deforestation is posing a threat to the species, but it has been suspected that the species has some degree of tolerance towards disturbance of its habitat.
The D'Entrecasteaux Archipelago pogonomys is often confused to be a subspecies of the large tree mouse (P. lorie), of which it shares a genus. the D'Entrecasteaux Archipelago pogonomys was referred to as a separate species of pogonomys in Laurie and Hill's (1954) checklist, but was referred to as a subspecies of the Large Tree Mouse by Dennis and Menzies (1979), Flannery (1990b), Flannery (1995a), and Musser and Carleton (1993). Flannery (1995b) noted that "fergussoniensis is very distinctive, being very large and having a reddish rather than gray dorsum. I suspect that further studies will reveal it to represent a distinct species." The D'Entrecasteaux Archipelago pogonomys has a larger body and skull size, as well as brownish red upperparts, buffy gray underparts, and sleek fur. The Large Tree Mouse has a dark brownish gray dorsal coat, white underparts, and woolly fur.
The taxonomic relationship between the D'Entrecasteaux Archipelago pognomys and the greater tree-mouse (Chiruromys forbesi) has yet to be resolved.
The D'Entrecasteaux Archipelago pogonomys is endemic to Papua New Guinea, specifically the D'Entrecasteaux Archipelago. The species has been recorded on Fergusson Island, Goodenough Island, and Normanby Island. This species of pogonomys is terrestrial, with specimens collected at the "oak-rainforest transition" and climbing in vegetation close to a village.
The population has been rarely collected, and there are few known specimens of the species; the population is believed, however, to be decreasing.
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