First record of the elusive and endangered long-tailed nesokia, Nesokia bunnii, in Iran

Abstract

Abstract We report for the first time the long-tailed nesokia rat, Nesokia bunnii, in Iran. A single female of this rodent killed by a stray dog in the Hoveyzeh marshes was identified as Nesokia bunnii according to its external and craniodental characteristics. With its four pairs of nipples, the collected specimen did not deviate from the condition is seen in Nesokia indica and the genus Bandicota. Here, we provide the first observations on the natural history of this elusive animal. Examination of the stomach contents of the specimen retrieved green plant material. The animal was killed in a marshy site with small pools scattered all around. The entrance to a burrow which was found on the spot was sheltered by dense reed Phragmites australis. We could not confirm an earlier report that N. bunnii constructs floating nests. This record extends the known distribution range of N. bunnii eastwards into the Khuzestan Province, Southwest of Iran.