A field-based method for distinguishing Melomys burtoni from M. cervinipes (Rodentia: Muridae) in Queensland

Melomys burtoni and M. cervinipes are broadly sympatric in eastern Australia but difficult to distinguish on external criteria. Although M. cervinipes attains a larger size than M. burtoni, the two species show significant overlap in standard external measurements and reliable identification currently requires examination of a cleaned skull. The hind foot plantar pads of 20 adult individuals of each of M. burtoni and M. cervinipes were examined and found to be a consistently larger in M. cervinipes.

Citation

FROST, A. 2008 04 30: A field-based method for distinguishing Melomys burtoni from M. cervinipes (Rodentia: Muridae) in Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 52(2): 123–126. Brisbane. ISSN 0079-8835.

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    Date of publication

    30 April 2008

    Authors

    Angela Frost