The squirrel-toothed rat (Anisomys imitator), also known as the New Guinea giant rat, powerful-toothed rat, uneven-toothed rat, or narrow-toothed giant rat,[2] is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is the only species in the genus Anisomys and is found in New Guinea.
| Squirrel-toothed rat Temporal range: Pleistocene to Recent | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Tribe: | Hydromyini |
| Genus: | Anisomys Thomas, 1904 |
| Species: | A. imitator |
| Binomial name | |
| Anisomys imitator Thomas, 1904 | |
The species has been known to eat karuka nuts (Pandanus julianettii),[3] and growers will put platforms or other obstacles on the trunks of the trees to keep the pests out.[4][3]
Names
It is known as gudi-ws or gudl-ws in the Kalam language of Papua New Guinea.[5]
References
- Musser, G.G.; Carleton, M.D. (2005). "Superfamily Muroidea". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 894–1531. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.