Juscelinomys candango, or candango rat (one of the only known images of the animal) Felipe1455 / Wiki media commons A small rodent found during the construction of Brasília has become one of the greatest mysteries of Brazilian fauna. Known from only nine specimens collected in the 1960s, the candango rat (Juscelinomys candango) has never been recorded again in the wild, despite several expeditions carried out over the last few decades. ? Also follow Terra da Gente on Instagram The information is contained in the evaluation form of the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), which classifies the species as Critically Endangered, Possibly Extinct (CR-PEX). According to the document, the animal was only known from the Brasília Zoobotanical Foundation, in the Federal District, an area that was completely modified by the urban expansion of the federal capital. In addition to its rarity, the candango rat draws attention due to its adaptations to the environment. The animal had semi-fossorial habits, living in tunnels excavated in the ground. Their nests had two entrances on the surface, which converged on a spherical chamber located about 80 centimeters below the ground. The interior was lined with fragments of grass and fine roots. See more news from Terra da Gente, on g1: FLAGRANT: Irara with rare mutation is recorded during fauna monitoring in RJ WILL IT BE? Are cicadas the same in Japan? Brazilian photographer records species from 'the other side of the world' DIVERSITY IN THE SEMI-ARID: New species of cloud fish is discovered in the Caatinga and mobilizes residents to avoid extinction What is known? The few known specimens made it possible to describe some physical characteristics of the species. The candango rat weighed approximately 90 grams, had orange-brown fur intensely marked by black hairs on the back, a short, thick tail densely covered with hair, as well as developed front claws, probably used to dig the ground. Despite this information, practically nothing is known about its biology. The ICMBio technical sheet states that there is no data on reproduction, population size or behavior of the species, reflecting the small number of individuals studied before their disappearance. The document highlights that several attempts to locate new specimens have been made since the 1960s, but none have been successful. For experts, the transformation of the original area of ??occurrence into an urban environment is seen as the main explanation for the animal's disappearance. See what's trending on g1:
Animal known from only 9 specimens may have disappeared even before being studied
Juscelinomys candango, or candango rat (one of the only known images of the animal) Felipe1455 / Wiki media commons A small rodent found during the construction of Brasília has become one of the greatest mysteries of...
Extinct or not? Even given this scenario, the species is still not officially considered extinct in Brazil. It remains on the national list of threatened species and is part of the National Action Plan for the Conservation of Small Mammals in Open Areas. Among the priorities highlighted by experts is carrying out new research to check whether there are still remaining populations in poorly sampled areas of the Cerrado. If no population is found, the candango rat could join an extremely restricted group of Brazilian mammals that disappeared even before their natural history was completely known. To this day, the nine specimens collected during the construction of Brasília continue to represent practically all the scientific information available about the species. VIDEOS: Highlights Terra da Gente See more content about nature on Terra da Gente
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