Keays's oryzomys facts for kids
Nephelomys keaysi, also known as Keays's oryzomys or Keays's rice rat, is a type of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It belongs to the genus Nephelomys. This small mammal lives in the humid forests of the Andes mountains. You can find it from southeastern Peru to northern Bolivia. It lives on the eastern slopes of the Andes, in a type of forest called Yungas, at heights from 1000 to 2600 meters (about 3,300 to 8,500 feet). Even though its home is sometimes damaged, this species is not in serious danger right now. It is listed as "least concern" by conservation groups.
Quick facts for kids Keays's oryzomys |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Nephelomys
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| Species: |
keaysi
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| Synonyms | |
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Oryzomys keaysi J.A. Allen, 1900 |
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Contents
About Keays's Rice Rat
Keays's rice rat is a small rodent. It is part of a group of animals often called "New World rats and mice." These animals are found only in North and South America. Like other rice rats, it likely eats seeds, fruits, and insects. It prefers damp, forested areas in the mountains.
Where it Lives
This rice rat lives in the Yungas region. This area is known for its cloud forests. These forests are very wet and misty. They are home to many different kinds of plants and animals. The rat lives at high altitudes, usually above 1000 meters. This means it lives in cool, moist mountain environments.
The Story of Its Scientific Name
The scientific name of an animal can sometimes change over time. This happens as scientists learn more about different species. The story of Nephelomys keaysi is a good example of this.
Early Discoveries
In 1900, a scientist named Joel Asaph Allen described two new types of rats. He found them in Juliaca, Peru. These rats were collected by H. H. Keays. Allen named one of them Oryzomys keaysi, after Keays. He named the other one Oryzomys obtusirostris. At first, he thought these two rats were quite different from each other.
Changing Ideas About Its Relatives
Over the years, other scientists studied these rats. Some thought O. keaysi might be related to a species called Oryzomys albigularis. There was even a time when scientists thought O. keaysi and O. obtusirostris might be the same species. Or they thought they might just be different forms of O. albigularis.
A New Genus
By the 1990s, scientists had more tools to study animals. They realized that Oryzomys keaysi was indeed its own unique species. They also confirmed that Oryzomys obtusirostris was actually the same animal as O. keaysi. So, O. obtusirostris became known as a synonym for O. keaysi. Then, in 2006, many species that were once in the Oryzomys group were moved. They were placed into a new genus called Nephelomys. This is why the rat is now known as Nephelomys keaysi. This new name helps show its true relationships to other similar rats.
