Mouse-like mammal discovered at Mt. Banahaw

An unbranded rodent-like mammal with a bright orange color heralding a new species has recently been discovered by a team of American and Filipino biologists in Mount Banahaw, Quezon province.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the biologists described the mammal as mouse-like, weighing about 15 grams and a body 8 centimeters long. It has a 10-cm. long tail, a large head, and heavily muscled jaws.

According to Dr. Lawrence Heaney of the Field Museum of Natural History at the University of Chicago, the animal is not of the same species that can be seen anywhere else in the world.

Heaney, author of the book "Vanishing Treasures of the Philippine Rain Forests," added that Luzon has the greatest concentration of unique biological diversity in the world.

On the other hand, Dr. Eric Rickart, a member of the discovery team and curator of vertebrates at the Utah Museum of Natural History, said the newly discovered mammal is not related to any of the other known rodents in Luzon.

It represents an entirely different branch or a tree of life, said Rickart.

According to the DENR, Heaney, Rickart and Danilo Balete of Laksambuhay Conservation along with representatives from the National Museum spotted the rodent-like mammal in a kaingin (slash and burn) area while scouting the mountain –considered holy by esoteric sects –for rare small mammals.

The biologists, the DENR said, were most amazed by the feeding habits of the newly discovered animal. — Mike Frialde