Mastacomys

Broad-toothed mouse

Broad-toothed mouse

Species of rodent

The broad-toothed mouse or broad-toothed rat (Mastacomys fuscus) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae.

Quick Facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...

Distribution and habitat

It is found only in South-eastern Australia. In Victoria live specimens have been caught in the Snowfields, Great Dividing Range (to Cooma in New South Wales),[2] Gippsland Highlands, Otway Ranges and Wilsons Promontory. Specimens located in scats have been found in the Otway plains and East Gippsland.[3] The species is also recorded in buttongrass sedgeland up to 1000 metres in western Tasmania.[4]

Habitat preferences are areas of herbfields, grasslands and forests with minimal shrubs but a dense covering of sedge, grass, herbs and moss, where precipitation does not fall below 1400 mm per year in alpine areas and others 1000 mm at lower altitudes (DCNR 1995 pp. 208–210).

References

  1. [1]
    Woinarski, J.; Burbidge, A.A. (2016). "Mastacomys fuscus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T18563A22429430. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T18563A22429430.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. [2]
    Menkhorst, P.; Knight, F. (2001). A field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford Press. ISBN 0-19-550870-X.
  3. [3]
    Department of Conservation and Natural Resources edited by Menkhorst, P,W 1995 "Mammals of Victoria" Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, ISBN 0-19-553733-5
  4. [4]
    Menkhorst and Knight, 2001 p. 198


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