New spiny mouse species discovered in Sri Lanka’s Knuckles Range
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Researchers in Sri Lanka formally described Mus dumbara, a new species of spiny mouse found in the Dumbara, or Knuckles, Mountain Range after more than two decades of analysis.
In 2004, scientists collecting small mammals used burnt coconut as bait when peanut butter failed to attract the mice. They caught two female specimens that initially appeared similar to Mayor’s mouse, but displayed differences in tail length and head shape.
Genetic and physical evidence eventually confirmed the mice represented a distinct species. Despite conducting 1,900 trap nights in subsequent years, researchers could not find additional specimens, limiting their understanding of the mouse’s current population and range. Sri Lanka is home to 16 species of rats and mice, six of which are found nowhere else. The discovery of Mus dumbara adds to this biodiversity, but scientists emphasize that small mammals often receive less research attention than larger animals.
They believe further surveys are needed to determine the species’ distribution, population size, and potential conservation needs, especially considering habitat loss and climate change in the Knuckles Range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
