A replacement name for the endemic Rattus (Muridae, Mammalia) of the island of Obi, Indonesia

Abstract

The name Rattus obiensis Fabre, Portela Miguez, Holden, Fitriana, Semiadi, Musser, & Helgen, was recently applied to a newly discovered species of Rattus known to date only from the Moluccan island of Obi in Indonesia. However, this name is preoccupied by Rattus rattus obiensis Sody, 1941, a name applied to a commensal rat and currently recognized as a synonym of Rattus tanezumi Temminck, 1844. A replacement name, Rattus ombirah Fabre et al., 2024. nom. nov., is here proposed for the endemic Rattus of Obi.

Keywords

• wallacea
• muridae
• rattus
• homonymy
• new name