''Saxatilomys paulinae'' is a species of Muridae, murid rodent native to central Laos and Vietnam, separated to a monotypic genus ''Saxatilomys''. It was first discovered in the Khammouan Limestone National Biodiversity Conservation Area in Khammouan Province, Laos, and also been found in the Vietnamese province of Quảng Bình Province, Quang Bình. It is the only known species in the genus ''Saxatilomys''. The genus name is derived from the Latin ''saxatilis'', meaning "among the rocks" and the Greek ''mys'', meaning mouse or rat.

Description

It resembles, and is likely closely related to, species in the genera ''Niviventer'' and ''Chiromyscus''. ''Saxatilomys'' is distinguished from these and other Indomalayan genera by "semispinous dark gray upperparts, dark frosted gray underparts, large, extremely bulbous footpads, and a combination of derived and primitive cranial and dental traits".

Habitat

It is thought to be petricolous and has only been observed in forested, rocky limestone habitats.

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q19947185, from2=Q141405 Old World rats and mice Rodents of Laos Rodents of Vietnam Mammals described in 2005 Rodent genera Taxa named by Guy Musser