Ambiguous sentences when using の and に together


In the following sentence, the combination of の and に allows it to be
interpreted in two ways:

> この巨大なネズミは他の地域に生息する固有種に比べれば小柄。  
>

> この巨大なネズミは（他の地域）に生息する固有種に比べれば小柄。  
>  Compared to the endemic species in other regions, these huge rodents are
> small in size.  
>  この巨大なネズミは他の（地域に生息する固有種）に比べれば小柄。  
>  Compared to other endemic species in the region, these huge rodents are
> small in size

This sentence is a little bit simplified from [the original in
here](https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4605bu/8/), but it should have the same
general structure. Reading a bit more into the story, it seems like the second
interpretation of the sentence is the correct interpretation.

My question is: Is there a rule for which way it should be interpreted? So,
essentially, is this sentence ambiguous? And if it is, then is this just bad
writing because it's a web novel, or do these kinds of sentences show up in
polished literature?




I also think, and hope, the first interpretation is correct. It would be
terrible writing if the author meant it in the second way. As pointed out by
Will, 地域に生息する他の固有種 would have made this meaning crystal clear.

Having read the subsequent part, though, I think I understand why you thought
the second interpretation might be the case.

> 他の固有種が軒並み巨体なロンドヴィルでの生息を可能とするために雑食で

Here, the same word 固有種 is probably used to refer to endemic species in ロンドヴィル
that are not rats. This rat has evolved to be omnivorous to survive in a
habitat where it is surrounded by such huge animals. I think that’s what it
means.

Having read the surrounding few paragraphs, I would still call this bad
writing. Some of the sentences are really hard to understand, including the
one I copied above. The part you asked about is not that bad.




I also think, and hope, the first interpretation is correct. It would be
terrible writing if the author meant it in the second way. As pointed out by
Will, 地域に生息する他の固有種 would have made this meaning crystal clear.

Having read the subsequent part, though, I think I understand why you thought
the second interpretation might be the case.

> 他の固有種が軒並み巨体なロンドヴィルでの生息を可能とするために雑食で

Here, the same word 固有種 is probably used to refer to endemic species in ロンドヴィル
that are not rats. This rat has evolved to be omnivorous to survive in a
habitat where it is surrounded by such huge animals. I think that’s what it
means.

Having read the surrounding few paragraphs, I would still call this bad
writing. Some of the sentences are really hard to understand, including the
one I copied above. The part you asked about is not that bad.

