Rat species found only in RP faces extinction

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Did you know that the most attractive rodents in the world are found only in the Philippines?

But the distressing news is that the cloud rats are nearing extinction due to the continued wanton destruction of the country’s forests and the hunting of the rodents for pelts (undressed raw skin with the fur in place) used in making purses, hats and wall decor.

Of the six known species of cloud rats, two are found in Benguet. These are the Northern Luzon bushy tailed Crateromys schandebergi, commonly known as "bu-ut" or "buwet," and the bigger, longer and rare slender-tailed Phloeomys pallidus or "yut-yut."

Nocturnal

Citing studies on cloud rats, Ilene Basitan, editor-in-chief of the Mountain College of the Benguet State University (BSU) here, said the species is nocturnal and arboreal (tree-dwelling).

"It is a selective vegetarian that feeds on fruits such as bananas, chayote and sweet potato tubers. Its pelage or hair coat is long and dense. The length of its body measures 37.5-40 centimeters and its tail is 31.5-35 cm. covered with deep black to brownish black hair and a few gray hairs near the base," Basitan wrote.

Basitan, an upperclasswoman of the BSU College of Veterinary Medicine, added that the rat has a blunt muzzle with black strands of hair on the lip and around the eyes and has moderate-sized ears covered with long black fur on the outer surface but is bare on the inner side."

Basitan said the "excessive destruction" of forests and the hunting of the cloud rats for pelts have pushed the species’ population to near-extinction.

Studies

Three graduates of the BSU College of Veterinary Medicine conducted studies on the rarely observed slender-tailed cloud rats due to the lack of information on their anatomical structure and measurements, gastrointestinal tract and accessory digestive organs.

The findings are expected to contribute not only important data but inputs in developing conservation measures for the rodents.

The researchers were issued a "gratuitous permit" by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) to collect wildlife specimens for research purposes.

A memorandum of agreement between the BSU, represented by its immediate past president, Dr. Cipriano Consolacion, and the municipality of Kapangan, headed by Mayor Rogelio Leon, allowed the researchers to collect three cloud rats within the town.

Three studies were conducted, with Dr. Ruth Diego as adviser and Dr. Jocelyn Runas as co-adviser.

Measurements

One study, titled "Measurements on Long Bones and Skull" done by Ernani Jay Galano, focused on the measurements of the long bones (humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, and fibula or the long bones of the arms and legs) and the establishment of the cranial (skull) metric measurements of cloud rats.

A total of 24 and 11 point-to-point measurements were done on the cloud rats’ long bones and skulls, respectively.

The two other studies were "Gross Anatomy and Histology of the Gastrointestinal Tract" by Jordan Gay-od, and "Gross and Histological Description of Accessory Digestive Organs" by Eric Jess Dado Ulep.

The researchers recommended that further studies be conducted to establish a well-presented and complete gross anatomy and histology structure of the slender-tailed cloud rat.

Basitan said these studies should be properly carried out to avoid disturbing the species.

"Captive breeding, on the other hand, is one important measure that will greatly contribute to the survival of the cloud rat species. By teaching local hunters how to successfully breed the animals in captivity, the pressure on the wild cloud rat population can then be significantly reduced, giving the species a chance to increase their number and chances of survival," she said.