Melamys

Melamys is a genus of Old World rats and mice in the family Muridae. The genus was first described by Oldfield Thomas in 1903. Melamys are native to Southeast Asia, with species found in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. They are typically small to medium-sized rodents, with long tails and short legs. Their fur is generally brown or gray, and they have large ears and eyes. Melamys are primarily nocturnal and arboreal, meaning they are active at night and live in trees. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, seeds, and insects.

There are currently three recognized species within the genus Melamys: Melamys castaneus, Melamys fulgens, and Melamys labuanensis. Melamys castaneus, the Chestnut Melamys, is found in Borneo and Sumatra. Melamys fulgens, the Brilliant Melamys, is known from the Philippines. Melamys labuanensis, the Labuan Melamys, is endemic to the island of Labuan in Malaysia.

Little is known about the specific conservation status of most Melamys species, though some may be threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation and agricultural expansion in their native ranges. Further research is needed to fully understand their ecology, behavior, and conservation needs.