Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Species Xeromys myoides Thomas, 1889

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CAVS: 1418

Species Xeromys myoides Thomas, 1889

False Water-rat

  • Xeromys myoides Thomas, O. 1889. Description of a new genus of Muridae allied to Hydromys. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1889: 247-250 pl. 29 [publication date established from Duncan, F.M. 1937. On the dates of publication of the Society's 'Proceedings', 1859–1926. With an appendix containing the dates of publication of 'Proceedings', 1830–1858, compiled by the late F.H. Waterhouse, and of the 'Transactions', 1853–1869, by the late Henry Peavot, originally published in P.Z.S. 1893, 1913. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 107: 71–84 [74]] [248].
    Type data:
     Holotype BMNH 87.10.31.2 ♀ skin (wet) & skull, Port Mackay, QLD.

 

Distribution

Note that conversion of the original AFD map of states, drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones to IBRA and IMCRA regions may have produced errors. The new maps will be reviewed and corrected as updates occur. The maps may not indicate the entire distribution. See further details below.
IBRA and IMCRA regions (map not available)
drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones (map not available)

IBRA

NT, Qld: Arnhem Coast (ARC), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Darwin Coastal (DAC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Tiwi Cobourg (TIW)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

  • Australia
    • Northern Territory: N coastal
    • Queensland: NE coastal

Ecological Descriptors

Burrowing, noctidiurnal, predator, subtropical, supralittoral.

 

General References

Ball, D. 2004. Distribution and habitat of the false water rat, Xeromys myoides Thomas, 1889 (Rodentia: Muridae) in intertidal areas of central eastern Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 49: 487-494

Baverstock, P.R., Watts, C.H.S. & Hogarth, J.T. 1977. Chromosome evolution in Australian rodents I. The Pseudomyinae, the Hydromyinae and the Uromys/Melomys Group. Chromosoma (Berlin) 61: 95-125

Baverstock, P.R., Watts, C.H.S., Adams, M. & Cole, S.R. 1981. Genetical relationships among Australian rodents (Muridae). Australian Journal of Zoology 29: 289-303

Dwyer, P., Hockings, M. & Willmer, J. 1979. Mammals of Cooloola and Beerwah. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 90: 65-84

Lee, A.K. 1995. The Action Plan for Australian Rodents. Canberra : Australian Nature Conservation Agency 62 pp.

Smales, L.R. 1994. Parasite extinctions - Why care? Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 36: 203-206

Van Dyck, S. & Gynther, I. 2003. Nesting strategies of the water mouse Xeromys myoides in southeast Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 49: 453-479

Watts, C.H.S. 1982. Australian hydromyine rodents: maintenance of captive colonies. pp. 180-184 in Evans, D.D. (ed.). The Management of Australian Mammals in Captivity. Proceedings of the Scientific Meeting of the Australian Mammal Society, Healesville, Victoria, February 1979. Melbourne : Zoological Board of Victoria 194 pp.

Watts, C.H.S. & Aslin, H.J. 1981. The Rodents of Australia. Sydney : Angus & Robertson xii 321 pp. 16 pls

van Dyck, S. 1995. False Water-rat Xeromys myoides. pp. 630-631 in Strahan, R. (ed.). The Mammals of Australia: The National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife. Sydney : Reed New Holland 756 pp.

van Dyck, S. 1997. Xeromys myoides Thomas, 1889 (Rodentia: Muridae) in mangrove communities of North Stradbroke Island, southeast Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 42: 337-366

van Dyke, S. & Durbridge, E. 1992. A nesting community of false water rats Xeromys myoides on the Myora sedgelands, North Stradbroke Island. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 32: 374

 

Common Name References

ABRS 2001. Census of Australian Vertebrates. Australian Biological Resources Study (False Water-rat)