New species discovered – the hog-nosed rat

Thanks to the fieldwork of a research team from Australia, Indonesia and America the 250-gram mammal has been discovered in the remote, high-altitude jungle of Sulawesi, Indonesia.

(image: Museum Victoria)

Museum Victoria mammalogist Kevin Rowe, one of team of discovers, said among the distinct features of the hog-nosed rat were its very small mouth, large white front teeth, big ears and noticeably long pubic hairs.

It has a nose like a cute little piglet’s, ears that only a mother could love and teeth that would make Dracula run in fear.  This odd-looking rodent captured researchers’ attention when they discovered it back in 2013.  The critter’s teeth are just as oversize as its ears!

The rat, which has features never before seen by science, was found in a mountainous region of Sulawesi Island by a team of international scientists, that included members from Museum Victoria.

“I am still amazed that we can walk into a forest and find a new species of mammal that is so obviously different from any species, or even genus, that has ever been documented by science,” Museum Victoria researcher Dr Kevin Rowe said.

The rat is carnivorous and, according to researchers, probably eats earthworms, beetle larvae and other invertebrates. The elusive rat was discovered at an elevation of 1,600 metres in a remote camp two days’ hike from the closest village. Because of its geographical challenges, little research has been conducted on the island since the early 20th century.

The long-snouted, big-eared rat is so unique it has been recognised, not only as a new species, but as a new genus. “I am still amazed that we can walk into a forest and find a new species of mammal that is so obviously different from any species, or even genus, that has ever been documented by science,” Museum Victoria researcher Dr Kevin Rowe said.

The team describes these discoveries as new species within new genera, because the animals could not be placed within any existing group.

Despite all the threats, and extinctions, to species, it’s encouraging that small pockets of new species can still be found! Such is the robust nature of our planet, and its resilience, that isolated new species can still be discovered.

While it’s not a new native Australian mammal, endemic to our country, it’s a credit to Museum Victoria that we have the expertise to be part of this team.

(featured image: Hyorhinomys stuempkei Image: Kevin Rowe)