Kingdom Animalia Scientific name Rhynchomeles prattorum Higher classification Rhynchomeles Order Peramelemorphia | Family Peramelidae Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Genus Rhynchomeles
Thomas, 1920 Similar Mouse bandicoot, New Guinean long‑nos, Clara's echymipera, Striped bandicoot, Raffray's bandicoot | ||
The Seram bandicoot (Rhynchomeles prattorum), also known as the Seram Island long-nosed bandicoot, is a member of the order Peramelemorphia. It is the only species in the genus Rhynchomeles
Description
It was named by Oldfield Thomas for Charles, Felix and Joseph Pratt, the three brothers who collected the specimens. The species was described from a collection of seven specimens, made in 1920 on the Indonesian island of Seram, the only record of its existence. It is classified as an endangered species on the Red List of the IUCN, due to its narrow distribution range and noted as data deficient. Conservation of the species, if extant, is threatened by clearing of lower altitude forests near its type locality. The introduction of pigs, dogs, and other feral animals could cause a decline in population. The collection of the type specimens was made in tropical upper montane forest, in Manusela National Park, with one specimen obtained at an altitude of 1800 metres asl. The surrounding region has not been surveyed for this species, although an occurrence in Buru has been suggested.