TAXONOMIC STATUS OF SPINY RATS (MAXOMYS JENTINK, RODENTIA) FROM INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA BASED ON MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY

The morphological study was focused on the analysis of morphometric variations of the spiny rats (Maxomys Jentink) across their Indonesian and Malaysian ranges in order to clarify the taxonomic status of this genus. The genus was widespread throughout South Asia, and many taxa (species and subspecies) have been described. Univariate and multivariate analyses (Principal Component Analyses and Discriminant Function Analyses) were carried out based on 24 craniometric characters in 187 skulls. Results indicated that Maxomys consist of 13 species: M. whiteheadi, M. surifer, M. rajah, M. ochraceiventer, M. baeodon, M. alticola, M. musschenbroekii, M. hellwaldii, M. wattsi, M. pagensis, M. bartelsii, M. inas and one distinct population of M. whiteheadi from 16 known species of Maxomys in Malaysia and Indonesian archipelago. The multiple regression analyses showed no sexual dimorphism in relation to the characters used; however all characters were geographically significant in some species.