Food habits and habitat of the Ryukyu long-furred rat in Yambaru forest, northern Okinawa Island

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  • 沖縄島やんばる地域におけるケナガネズミの食性と生息環境
  • オキナワトウ ヤ ンバルチイキ ニ オケル ケナガネズミ ノ ショクセイ ト セイソク カンキョウ

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Abstract

<p>In the northern part of Okinawa Island, we carried out a food habit study of the Ryukyu long-furred rat Diplothrix legata, with direct observation and trace surveys. Food items utilized by the rat consisted of 31 plant species and 10 animal species. Various plant parts were utilized: seeds of 22 spp., fruits of 8 spp., leaves of 3 spp. and bark of 2 spp. Thus, the Ryukyu long-furred rat prefers seeds and fruits, though it showed a wide range of food habits. The rat changed food items utilized along a gradient of plant phenology. According to previous studies, the rat breeds from summer (late July) to winter (February), and these seasons seem to correspond to the major fruiting periods in forest habitats. We conclude that the most suitable habitat of the rat, in terms of food availability, is forest consisting of various plant species which fruit throughout the year.</p>

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