The long-tailed armored tree-rat (Makalata macrura), is a
spiny rat species from
South America.[2] It is found in
Brazil, with a population in
Ecuador which is referable either to this species or to Makalata didelphoides. Initially considered a large form of the latter species,[3] it actually represents a distinct species as supported by morphological and molecular characters.[4]
The etymology of the species name derives from the two
ancient greek words μακρός (makrós), meaning "long", and οὐρά (ourá), meaning "animal tail".[5][6]