Inquirer News Service
A TEAM of Filipino and American biologists has discovered a small mouse-like mammal, which experts say may not be found anywhere else in the world. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced on Thursday that the newly discovered species of animal was found in the mystical Mount Banahaw. The DENR said initial examination of the animal indicates it was not related to any member of the rodent family or other species known to inhabit Banahaw or the rest of the Luzon region.
The animal was described as having the features of a mouse -- its body 8 centimeters long with a 10-cm tail. Its head is considerably bigger in proportion to the body and has ''whiskers five times'' the width of the head. Weighing about 15 grams, the animal sports a coat of brown to yellowish fur.
Its discoverers also noted the animal's heavily muscled jaws, which they said might explain its unique diet: It is the only forest dweller who can bite open and eat the nuts of the Kalomala tree, which is predominant in the mountain.
The creature was found two weeks ago near a slash-and-burn (kaingin) area by a team composed of Dr. Lawrence Heaney of the Field Museum of Natural History at the University of Chicago; Dr. Eric Rickart of the Utah Museum of Natural History; Danilo Balete of LaksamBuhay Conservation; representatives from the Philippine National Museum.
The lone sample found will be shipped to the US for further study.
