The Roraima mice, or Podoxymys roraimae are found only in the mountains of Venezuela where it borders of Brazil and Guyana. While their habitat is on the border of these three countries, the only specimens were found in Venezuela. Podoxymys roraimae inhabit an area of 43 square km on the summit of Roraima Mountain and an area of 3 square km on the summit of Wei-Assiputepui in Brazil. (Lew and Ojasti, 2015; Patton, 2018)
Podoxymys roraimae occupy only forest and rainforest biomes of Venezuelan Mountains. The lush habitat houses dense vegetation and adequate humidity for the tropical plants. Podoxymys roraimae are found at minimum elevations of 1,500 meters and maximum elevations of 2,600 meters. Scientists infer that P. roraimae live on or in the ground (Patton, 2018). (Lew and Ojasti, 2015; Patton, 2018)
Podoxymys roraimae are described as small (7 to 10 cm in length), though average mass is unknown. The fur of P. roraimae is usually grey or black with some occasional cinnamon coloring around the face. Their fur is smooth and long and shorter on the skull. The legs and tail are bare and usually brown or grey in coloring. The face is elongated with small dark eyes and short, rounded ears that are covered in fine black hairs. Both front and back paws have long nails that indicate some adaptation for digging (Perez-Zapata et al, 1992). The coloring and markings of Roraima mice do not differ according to sex or age. Podoxymys roraimae are the only species within the genus and thus are unique in many physical characteristics. (Leite, et al., 2015; Lew and Ojasti, 2015; Perez-Zapata, et al., 1992)
Mating systems in Podoxymys roraimae are unknown. (Perez-Zapata, et al., 1992)
All known data of Podoxymys roraimae concerning reproduction is strictly from a cellular standpoint. It is known that P. roraimae have low diploid numbers, 2n = 14-18 (Perez-Zapata et al., 1992). However, any information on mating, birthing, and the raising of young is unknown. Due to the the severe isolation of P. roraimae it has made it very challenging for scientists to observe them in their natural habitat and there have been no successful reproduction trials in captivity. (Perez-Zapata, et al., 1992)
Podoxymys roraimae is a rare species that has not been studied thoroughly enough and thus their true lifespan is unknown. No individuals have been kept in captivity or have been studied for long periods of time in the wild. (Anthony, 1929)
Podoxymys roraimae has not been studied in its natural habitat or in captivity so the behavioral patterns are unknown. Most attempts at capturing P. roraimae resulted in the capture of Rhipidomys macconnelli, which is also known as the MicConnells climbing mouse (Lew, Ojasti 2015). All seven specimens studied so far have not been alive. (Lew and Ojasti, 2015; Perez-Zapata, et al., 1992)
The range of habitat for the Podoxymys roraimae is limited to the summit of Mount Roraima, which has an average area of 43 square kilometers and the summit of Wei-Assiputepui with an average area of 3 square kilometers. (Lew and Ojasti, 2015)
All communication and perception information on P. roraimae is unknown. (Anthony, 1929; Eisenberg, 1989)
Podoxymys roraimae are active nocturnally. They have elongated front claws, which scientists infer are used for digging (Lew and Ojasti, 2015). When captured, the different specimens of P. roraimae had insects, earthworms, and various plants in their stomachs, which is evidence that P. roraimae are omnivores (Perez-Zapata et al., 1992). (Lew and Ojasti, 2015; Perez-Zapata, et al., 1992)
Podoxymys roraimae has deep brown fur, used for camouflage against the dark soil of their habitat (Perez-Zapata et al., 1992). They have long front claws, which are likely used for digging deep within the ground. However, it is not known whether or not these claws are used for hiding or foraging for food (Lew and Ojasti, 2015). There is little else known about the predators of this species. (Anthony, 1929; Lew and Ojasti, 2015; Perez-Zapata, et al., 1992)
There is no specific information of the ecological role of Podoxymys roraimae, however it is inferred that they are prey to animals in the area (Alvarado-Serrano and D'Elia, 2013). It is also known that P. roraimae hunt insects, so scientists have used this as evidence to show that they may help with insect control (Verbeke, 2015). (Alvarado-Serrano and D'Elia, 2013; Verbeke, 2015)
Podoxymys roraimae is an important member of the ecosystems they inhabit but have no other known economic importance for humans. (Lew and Ojasti, 2015)
There is no known adverse effects of Podoxymys roraimae on humans. (Eisenberg, 1989)
Podoxymys roraimae is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN website and is not listed on any others. However, P. roraimae may be vulnerable because of the tourism that takes place within its limited habitat (Lew and Ojasti, 2015). Tourism disrupts their habitat and potentially introduces nonnative species that can harm the Roraima mouse population (Lew and Ojasti, 2015). (Lew and Ojasti, 2015; Patton, 2018)
The discovery of Podoxymys roraimae was completely accidental and scientists are still researching many basic elements of this species. The first discovery occurred in 1929 with H.E. Anthony and was not cited again until 1989 with J. Eisenberg. Podoxymys roraimae are one one of the rarest and most geographically isolated species in the world. (Verbeke, 2015)
Imani Vontoure (author), Colorado State University, Nathan Dorff (editor), Colorado State University, Tanya Dewey (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
living in the southern part of the New World. In other words, Central and South America.
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.
an animal that mainly eats meat
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
having markings, coloration, shapes, or other features that cause an animal to be camouflaged in its natural environment; being difficult to see or otherwise detect.
humans benefit economically by promoting tourism that focuses on the appreciation of natural areas or animals. Ecotourism implies that there are existing programs that profit from the appreciation of natural areas or animals.
animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.
an animal that mainly eats leaves.
forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.
Referring to a burrowing life-style or behavior, specialized for digging or burrowing.
An animal that eats mainly plants or parts of plants.
An animal that eats mainly insects or spiders.
having the capacity to move from one place to another.
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
active during the night
an animal that mainly eats all kinds of things, including plants and animals
rainforests, both temperate and tropical, are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground. Epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant. Precipitation is typically not limiting, but may be somewhat seasonal.
reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female
digs and breaks up soil so air and water can get in
uses touch to communicate
Living on the ground.
the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.
uses sight to communicate
reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female.
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