RODENTS OF LIBYA 201 



Figure 44. — Distribution of Rattus rattus. Circle indicates specimens examined; triangles 



indicate published records. 



scapular areas, and back tipped with Cinnamon-Buff and appearing 

 more lustrous than surrounding pelage; pale underparts contrasting 

 markedly in color with that of the dorsum and varying from almost 

 pure white in the region of the chin to Marguerite Yellow and Prim- 

 rose Yellow in the midventral region, and becoming Light Buff 

 laterally; vibrissae relatively long and formed entirely of black hairs; 

 ears large, naked, thin, paper-like in texture and Olive-Brown in 

 color; front feet relatively small, buff-colored above, naked below, 

 and bearing four functional digits with short claws; hind feet pro- 

 portionately larger than forefeet and with five functional digits 

 rather than four, Light Buff above and naked below with a richly 

 pigmented plantar surface bearing numerous prominent tubercles; 

 tail long and attenuated, appreciably longer than the head and body, 

 and covered throughout its entire length with short, stiff, inconspic- 

 uous hairs which arise from between annular segments. Skull: Medium 

 in size; gracile and narrow in outline; zygomata relatively delicate 

 and bowing slightly laterad; braincase relatively flattened; auditory 

 bullae small and moderately inflated ventrally; anterior palatine 

 foramina long and wide; temporal ridges lyre-shaped; basioccipital 

 broadly wedge-shaped. 



285-134 0—68 14 



