In the province of Carchi, it was registered for the first time in Ecuador the white-tailed rat (Olalamys albicaudus). This rodent is medium-sized and easily distinguishable among the members of the Echimyidae family due to its long, soft fur, tail with a reddish-brown proximal half and a white terminal half. The finding is described in a study in the scientific journal Mammalogy Notes.
This species was considered endemic to the Andean region of Colombia and known from a few museum specimens from ten confirmed localities. Its registration is difficult, since most of the time it spends in the trees.
“In this work we report the first record of O. albicaudus in Ecuadorian territory, becoming the southernmost observation for the species. One specimen was sighted in Quitasol, El Carmelo parish, Carchi province, Ecuador, while a regular tour was carried out to monitor the community of anurans”, reports the study.
The log habitat is characterized by the dominant presence of thickets of bamboo, known locally as zurales. In addition, a variety of shrubs from the Melastomataceae and Asteraceae families are presented.
Biologist Jorge Brito, who participated in the study, announced the news on his Facebook profile: “With the support of citizen science, we have just reported the olalla white-tailed rat in Ecuador. Until recently with political endemism in Colombia. Thanks to the Avekani Ecological Club for their deep commitment to conserving the biodiversity of the forests in El Carmelo. Especially to Libardo Tello Ruales and Marcelo Oliva, the team with whom we prepared this study.”.
Olallamys albicaudus is considered a rare and little-known rodent, similar to multiple species of small mammals with arboreal habits. For example, in Colombia and Ecuador, countries with a great diversity of mammals, numerous species are supported by few museum specimens, the research indicates.
In addition, their geographic distribution ranges are poorly documented, which makes it difficult to formulate specific conservation programs. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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