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{{Short description|Species of African rodent}}
{{speciesbox
{{Speciesbox
| name = Target rat
| fossil_range = Recent
| status = LC
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{IUCN |assessors=Boitani, L. |year=2008 |version=2016.2 |id=20863 |title=Stochomys longicaudatus |downloaded=11 November 2016}}</ref>
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Cassola, F. |date=2017 |title=''Stochomys longicaudatus'' |volume=2017 |page=e.T20863A22455058 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T20863A22455058.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
| display_parents = 3
| genus = Stochomys
| genus = Stochomys
| parent_authority = [[Oldfield Thomas|Thomas]], 1926
| parent_authority = [[Oldfield Thomas|Thomas]], 1926
| species = longicaudatus
| species = longicaudatus
| authority = ([[Tycho Fredrik Hugo Tullberg|Tullberg]], 1893)
| authority = ([[Tycho Fredrik Hugo Tullberg|Tullberg]], 1893)
| synonyms = ''Mus sebastianus''
| synonyms = ''Mus sebastianus'' <small>Trouessart, 1897</small>
}}
}}


The '''target rat''' (''Stochomys longicaudatus'') is a species of [[rodent]] in the family [[Muridae]]. It is the [[monotypic|only species]] in the [[genus]] '''''Stochomys'''''.
The '''target rat''' ('''''Stochomys longicaudatus''''') is a species of [[rodent]] in the family [[Muridae]]. It is the [[monotypic|only species]] in the [[genus]] '''''Stochomys'''''. Its natural habitat is [[subtropical]] or [[tropical]] moist lowland forests.
It is found in [[Benin]], [[Cameroon]], [[Central African Republic]], [[Republic of the Congo]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Equatorial Guinea]], [[Gabon]], [[Nigeria]], [[Togo]], and [[Uganda]]. Its natural [[habitat]] is [[subtropical]] or [[tropical]] moist lowland [[forest]]s.


==Description==
==Description==
The target rat is so named because it has a number of long bristles projecting from its rump which resemble the shafts of arrows in a target. The synonym ''Mus sebastianus'' also refers to this, [[Saint Sebastian]] being an early Christian martyr said to have been tied to a tree and shot with arrows. The fur is dark reddish-brown and the tail very long.<ref name=Kingdon1984>{{cite book|author=Jonathan Kingdon|title=East African Mammals: An Atlas of Evolution in Africa, Volume 2, Part B: Hares and Rodents|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tSCodorMbrUC&pg=PA599 |year=1984 |publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-43720-0 |page=599}}</ref>
The target rat is a moderately sized rat-like rodent, with a head-body length of {{convert|13|to|17|cm}} and weighing around {{convert|90|g}}. The fur is dark reddish-brown over the back, becoming greyish on the flanks, and fading to pale grey on the underparts. The sparsely bristled tail is much longer than the body, being typically {{convert|18|to|22|cm}} in length. Females have six teats.<ref name=Uebbing2019>{{cite journal |last1= Uebbing |first1= S. |date= August 2019 |title= ''Stochomys longicaudatus'' (Rodentia: Muridae) |journal= Mammalian Species |volume= 51 |issue= 974 |pages= 26–33 |doi= 10.1093/mspecies/sez004|doi-access= free }}</ref><ref name=Kingdon1984>{{cite book|author=Jonathan Kingdon|title=East African Mammals: An Atlas of Evolution in Africa, Volume 2, Part B: Hares and Rodents|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tSCodorMbrUC&pg=PA599 |year=1984 |publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-43720-0 |page=599}}</ref> It is so named because it has a number of long dark bristles projecting from its rump which resemble the shafts of arrows in a target. The synonym ''Mus sebastianus'' also refers to this, [[Saint Sebastian]] being an early Christian martyr said to have been tied to a tree and shot with arrows.


==Distribution and habitat==
==Distribution and habitat==
The target rat is native to humid rainforests in tropical western Central Africa. Its range extends from Togo through Benin and Nigeria to the Congo Basin and eastwards to western Uganda.<ref name=iucn/> It occurs in swampy areas of forests and in gallery forests and beside streams. It has also been observed in secondary forests around villages and in banana plantations.<ref name=Kingdon1984/>
The target rat is native to humid rainforests in tropical western Central Africa at elevations from sea level to {{convert|1000|m}}. Its range extends from Togo through Benin and Nigeria to the [[Congo Basin]] and eastwards to western Uganda.<ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021" /> It occurs in swampy areas of forests and in gallery forests and beside streams. It has also been observed in secondary forests around villages and in banana plantations.<ref name=Kingdon1984/>


Two subspecies are currently recognised:<ref name=Uebbing2019/>
==Ecology==
* ''Stochomys longicaudatus longicaudatus'' (Tullberg 1893) - [[Togo]] to the [[Republic of the Congo]]
⚫
The target rat is largely nocturnal and feeds on the ground on green vegetable material and fallen fruit, supplementing these with some insects. Little is known of the social organisation of this species but in Cameroon a group of thirteen was caught at one location in an [[Elaeis|oil palm]] plantation. This rat seems to breed at any time of year.<ref name=Kingdon1984/>
* ''Stochomys longicaudatus ituricus'' (Thomas, 1915) - the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Rwanda]], [[Burundi]], western [[Uganda]]

==Biology and behaviour==
⚫
The target rat is largely nocturnal and feeds on the ground on green vegetable material and fallen fruit, supplementing these with some insects. In addition to moving along the ground, it often climbs into the rainforest understory, although not high into trees. It has been reported to construct spherical nests of shredded grass.<ref name=Uebbing2019/> Little is known of the social organisation of this species but in Cameroon a group of thirteen was caught at one location in an [[Elaeis|oil palm]] plantation.<ref name=Kingdon1984/> Breeding takes place throughout the year, but may be more common between February and May and between September and December. Litters range from one to four young.<ref name=Uebbing2019/>


==Status==
==Status==
The target rat has a wide range and is a common species. It is presumed to have a large population and no particular threats have been identified. The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] has rated its conservation status as being of "[[Least-concern species|least concern]]".<ref name=iucn/>
The target rat has a wide range and is a common species. It is presumed to have a large population and no particular threats have been identified. The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] has rated its conservation status as being of "[[Least-concern species|least concern]]".<ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021" />


==References==
==References==
{{Wikispecies|Stochomys longicaudatus}}
{{Wikispecies|Stochomys longicaudatus}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
* {{MSW3 Muroidea | id = 13001820 | page = }}


{{Murinae (Hadromys–Maxomys)}}
{{Murinae (Hadromys–Maxomys)}}
{{Myomorpha|E.|state=collapsed}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q199019}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q199019}}


[[Category:Mammals described in 1893]]
[[Category:Old World rats and mice|target rat]]
[[Category:Mammals of West Africa]]
[[Category:Mammals of West Africa]]
[[Category:Mammals of Cameroon]]
[[Category:Mammals of Cameroon]]
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[[Category:Mammals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo]]
[[Category:Mammals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo]]
[[Category:Mammals of the Republic of the Congo]]
[[Category:Mammals of the Republic of the Congo]]
⚫
[[Category:Mammals of Uganda]]
[[Category:Old World rats and mice]]
[[Category:Rodents of Africa]]
[[Category:Rodents of Africa]]
⚫
[[Category:Mammals described in 1893|target rat]]
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]

Latest revision as of 13:24, 1 October 2024

Target rat
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae
Subfamily: Murinae
Tribe: Arvicanthini
Genus: Stochomys
Thomas, 1926
Species:
S. longicaudatus
Binomial name
Stochomys longicaudatus
(Tullberg, 1893)
Synonyms

Mus sebastianus Trouessart, 1897

The target rat (Stochomys longicaudatus) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is the only species in the genus Stochomys. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Description

[edit]

The target rat is a moderately sized rat-like rodent, with a head-body length of 13 to 17 centimetres (5.1 to 6.7 in) and weighing around 90 grams (3.2 oz). The fur is dark reddish-brown over the back, becoming greyish on the flanks, and fading to pale grey on the underparts. The sparsely bristled tail is much longer than the body, being typically 18 to 22 centimetres (7.1 to 8.7 in) in length. Females have six teats.[2][3] It is so named because it has a number of long dark bristles projecting from its rump which resemble the shafts of arrows in a target. The synonym Mus sebastianus also refers to this, Saint Sebastian being an early Christian martyr said to have been tied to a tree and shot with arrows.

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

The target rat is native to humid rainforests in tropical western Central Africa at elevations from sea level to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). Its range extends from Togo through Benin and Nigeria to the Congo Basin and eastwards to western Uganda.[1] It occurs in swampy areas of forests and in gallery forests and beside streams. It has also been observed in secondary forests around villages and in banana plantations.[3]

Two subspecies are currently recognised:[2]

Biology and behaviour

[edit]

The target rat is largely nocturnal and feeds on the ground on green vegetable material and fallen fruit, supplementing these with some insects. In addition to moving along the ground, it often climbs into the rainforest understory, although not high into trees. It has been reported to construct spherical nests of shredded grass.[2] Little is known of the social organisation of this species but in Cameroon a group of thirteen was caught at one location in an oil palm plantation.[3] Breeding takes place throughout the year, but may be more common between February and May and between September and December. Litters range from one to four young.[2]

Status

[edit]

The target rat has a wide range and is a common species. It is presumed to have a large population and no particular threats have been identified. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".[1]

References

[edit]
Wikispecies has information related to Stochomys longicaudatus.
  1. ^ a b c Cassola, F. (2017). "Stochomys longicaudatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T20863A22455058. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T20863A22455058.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Uebbing, S. (August 2019). "Stochomys longicaudatus (Rodentia: Muridae)". Mammalian Species. 51 (974): 26–33. doi:10.1093/mspecies/sez004.
  3. ^ a b c Jonathan Kingdon (1984). East African Mammals: An Atlas of Evolution in Africa, Volume 2, Part B: Hares and Rodents. University of Chicago Press. p. 599. ISBN 978-0-226-43720-0.
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