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Neofiber combines Greek and Latin and means "new beaver." The species name, alleni is after the famous mammalogist, Arthur A. Allen. (GMNH 1999)
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
The round-tailed muskrat is listed as a threatened species in the state of Georgia. It cannot be trapped or hunted. (GMNH 1999)
US Federal List: threatened
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
At this time, Round-Tailed Muskrats do not cause any significant damage or benefit to humans, but it does harm sugarcane, tomatoes, and beans. However, it is possible that some of the damage supposedly caused by this muskrat is actually caused by the Cotton Rat (Gingerich 1994).
There are not any recognized benefits to humans at this time. It is not important in the fur trade.
They are vegetarian. The diet consists mainly of aquatic grasses as well as roots, stems, and seeds. (GMNH 1999)
The Round-Tailed Muskrat or Florida Water Rat is found in the mainland and islands of Florida and Southern Georgia, but nowhere else in the world.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
Wet moist areas on mainland and islands. In particular, brackish waters of river deltas and swamps, as well near freshwater bogs, marshes, and around lakes with sandy bottoms and lots of aquatic vegetation. (Palmer 1954, GMNH 1999).
Terrestrial Biomes: forest
Unlike the muskrat, the Round-tailed muskrat has a tail that is truly round in cross-section, not flattened on the sides. It is also smaller than the muskrat, with a total body length of 381 - 546 mm (15 - 21.5 inches).
The outer fur (coarse guard hairs) is dark brown and glossy, while the dense undercoat is brown becoming gray at the base
The belly is a pale buff color.
(GMNH 1999)
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Breeding occurs year round, though there is a peak in the fall. Gestation is 26 to 29 days. Females can produce 4 to 6 litters each year, with 1 to 4 (possibly as many as six) young per litter. Young are weaned by 21 days and become sexually mature at 90 - 100 days.
(Palmer 1954, GHNH 1999).
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
The round-tailed muskrat (Neofiber alleni) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae, sometimes called the Florida water rat.[2] The species is monotypic in the genus Neofiber. It is found only in the southeastern United States, where its natural habitat is swamps.
The round-tailed muskrat is a semiaquatic and nocturnal species native to the southeastern United States.[3] Limited sexual dimorphism is seen among round-tailed muskrats, with female adults weighing an average of 262 grams (9.2 oz) and male adults measuring at a slightly heavier average of 279 grams (9.8 oz).[3] The round-tailed muskrat feeds on emergent aquatic grasses,[4] including aquatic plant stems, seeds, and roots, to sustain its herbivorous lifestyle.[5] The most prominent predators of the round-tailed muskrat are marsh hawks and barn owls, but most predation occurred when the round-tailed muskrats were found outside their normal territory, having been displaced by floods.[3] The pelage of a newborn round-tailed muskrat varies from gray to ash-gray. Adults have a brown pelage with pale fur on the belly. This change in coat color is the result of a juvenile molt (between 7 and 30 days post partum) and a subadult molt (between 35 and 50 days post partum). Molting in round-tailed muskrats has been observed throughout the year, but is more prevalent during the autumn.[3]
This muskrat is found through much of Florida and into southeastern Georgia, with the exception of northeastern Florida.[6] This distribution is consistent with round-tailed muskrat fossils found in several Florida locations from the late Pleistocene.[7] It is also consistent with the range of the muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), who is absent from areas where the round-tailed muskrat inhabits, due to filling the same ecological niche. Population densities of round-tailed muskrats average between 100 and 120 animals per acre of land.[3]
Large, high-quality wetland habitats in Florida and southeastern Georgia that have well-connected patches are preferred.[8] Land areas that experience high grazing pressure from cattle are less likely to house many (if any) animals due to the negative effect grazing has on wetland grass available to round-tailed muskrats.[8] In addition to actively selecting habitats to which to disperse, round-tailed muskrats shift among 10–15 rest sites within their home habitat ranges.[9] They live slightly above water level in their wetland habitats. Their shelter consists of lodges, located on a layer of dense vegetation, that have been woven out of plant material, and they feed on feeding platforms located above water level.[10] Round-tailed muskrats have been described to be social mammals, but it has been suggested that they may live in colonies only when a shortage of suitable habitat occurs.[11]
The round-tailed muskrat (Neofiber alleni) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae, sometimes called the Florida water rat. The species is monotypic in the genus Neofiber. It is found only in the southeastern United States, where its natural habitat is swamps.
