Scientists on Vangunu Island in the South Pacific Ocean First photo of endangered giant coconut-eating rat released. Vangunu giant rat (Uromis Vika or U. Vika ) is at least twice the size of the common mouse, lives in trees, and is reported to be able to use its teeth to chew through the hard shell of coconuts. It is known to inhabit only one island in the Solomon Islands.A sighting was reported The study was published Nov. 20 in the journal ecology and evolution.
[Related: Elusive, unusually large tree-dwelling rodent discovered in the Solomon Islands.]
The rat was discovered by a team from the University of Melbourne, the National University of the Solomon Islands and the village of Zaira in Vangune. First described in 2017, it is the first new rodent species to be described in the Solomon Islands in more than 80 years. The Vangunu people’s deep knowledge of the traditional ecology of rats was essential to this discovery.
“For decades, anthropologists and mammalogists alike have been aware of this knowledge, but regular efforts to scientifically identify and record this species have been futile,” study co-authors said Tyrone Lavery, a mammalogist at the University of Melbourne. stated in a statement.
Co-author Kevin Sese from the Solomon Islands National University said the fieldwork was based on this local knowledge. The research team used camera traps to take 95 images of four different individuals in their forest habitat.
“Knowledge resides with people. They are the custodians of local knowledge.” Cece said new york times. “Without them, we wouldn’t have known where to put the cameras.”
U. Vika It is considered endangered due to deforestation of its lowland forest habitat. The image shows it living in the Zaira primeval forest. These are ancient forests that are relatively untouched by humans. Although this land, particularly the Dokoso region, is the last remaining habitat for rats, logging remains central to the island’s economy.
“Capturing the first images of the Vanguenus giant rat is very positive news for this little-known species,” Lavery said. “This is a critical juncture for the future of Vangunu’s last forest, which the Zaira community has fought to protect from logging for 16 years.”
[Related: Rats can’t barf—here’s why.]
Zaira has been fighting for recognition of this forest area. It is protected under the Solomon Islands Protected Areas Act 2010. Although the Zaira community was adamant that this giant rodent lived in their forests, no record of it had ever been published in a scientific journal. Confirming its existence could be an important part of vangunu conservation efforts.
“Thank you to the Zaira community. [their] For their unwavering commitment to protect their forests and coral reefs and for their support of this research in the face of continued attempts to undermine this promise,” said Lavery. “These images U. Vika We support efforts to prevent the extinction of this endangered species and improve its conservation status. ”
