| Ethiopian amphibious rat | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Nilopegamys Osgood, 1928 |
| Species: | N. plumbeus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nilopegamys plumbeus Osgood, 1928
| |
| |
| Range according to Happold, 2013 | |
The Ethiopian amphibious rat, also known as the Ethiopian water mouse (Nilopegamys plumbeus), is an insectivorous and semiaquatic species of rodent in the monotypic genus Nilopegamys of the family Muridae. There has only been one known specimen. It was found along the Lesser Abay River near its source at an altitude of 2600 m in the highlands of northwestern Ethiopia in 1928.[2] N. plumbeus is considered to be the most aquatically adapted African murid; its unusually large brain is thought to be one consequence of this lifestyle.[3] The species is considered to be critically endangered or possibly extinct, since its habitat has been severely damaged by overgrazing and monoculture.[4]
- ^ Kerbis Peterhans, J.; Lavrenchenko, L. (2008). "Nilopegamys plumbeus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T40766A194057314. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T40766A194057314.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ "Ethiopian water mouse | SMSG - Small Mammal Specialist Group". www.small-mammals.org. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
- ^ "Mammal Species of the World - Browse: plumbeus". www.departments.bucknell.edu. Retrieved 2019-04-16.
- ^ "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2019-04-16.