Mesomys

Mesomys is a genus of rodents in the family Echimyidae, commonly known as spiny rats. The genus is native to tropical forests of northern South America, especially the Amazon Basin. Members are small to medium-sized, with dense fur and spiny guard hairs that give a rough texture. They are typically nocturnal and tend to be arboreal, spending much of their time in trees and dense understory, though some individuals forage on the forest floor.

Two described species are Mesomys hispidus and Mesomys occultus. Both are associated with undisturbed or seasonally flooded tropical rainforest habitats, including terra firme and floodplain forests. They feed mainly on fruits, seeds and other plant material, with occasional insects reported in some populations. Reproductive and life-history details are not well documented, but echimyids generally exhibit relatively slow maturation with seasonal breeding patterns in favorable conditions.

Distribution and ecology: Mesomys species are tied to the Amazonian forest mosaic, with ranges that overlap across countries in the region. They play a role in seed dispersal through frugivory and contribute to the forest understory and canopy dynamics.

Conservation: Conservation status varies by species and region, and habitat loss due to deforestation and land-use change poses threats to populations. Data on population size and trends are limited, and taxonomy within the genus can be affected by new molecular findings.