A new species of wild rodent has been discovered on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia: The Slender Rat, Gracilimus radix. 

On the slopes of Mount Gandang Dewata on a small island in Indonesia, a mammal only recently known to man makes its living. The Slender Rat, Gracilimus radix, is native to Sulawesi Island. Its discovery by an international team of scientists marks the fourth new species identified on the island within the past four years.

Dr. Kevin Rowe, a biologist at Museum Victoria in Melbourne, Australia says:

As well as giving us insight into the origin and evolution of Australia’s native rodents, they will provide a deeper understanding of how species evolve and the forms they take to solve nature’s challenges.

Rare image of the Slender Rat, which is usually concealed among tree roots. By Kevin Rowe

The Slender Rat’s discrete behaviors explain its elusive history. It forages among tree root networks where it is not easy to spot. Unlike most rats, which are carnivorous and must emerge from hiding to hunt, the Slender Rat is an omnivore; it can stay out of sight and still have access to its food supply.

When rats are introduced to islands by people, they cause serious problems and are considered invasive. They destroy native habitat and threaten native species. The Slender Rat evolved alongside the other species of Sulawesi Island. It is a native species performing a specific role in its ecosystem, and so it is a help–not a harm–to Sulawesi Island.

Rowe ties the encounter with the Slender Rat to the bigger picture of Sulawesi’s high degree of biodiversity and the promise of future discoveries:

Our discoveries of rodent species are a strong indication of the exceptional diversity of plants and animals preserved in the forests of Gandang Dewata, many of which remain unknown to science.

Islands are well known for their species richness. New plants and animals are regularly discovered on islands, making them exciting and rewarding places to explore and conserve.

 Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. By apla kai omorfa

Feature photo: Karst formation on Sulawesi Island. By Richard Wasserman

Read the original article at Sydney Morning Herald