Micropotamogale ruwenzorii (de Witte & Frechkop, 1955)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Potamogalidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 174-179 : 178-179

2.

Rwenzor Otter-shrew

Micropotamogale ruwenzorii

French: Micropotamogale du Rwenzori / German: Ruwenzori-Otterspitzmaus / Spanish: Musarana nutria de Rwenzori

Taxonomy. Potamogale ruwenzoru de Witte & Frechkop, 1955 ,

Mustora, Talya River, western slopes of Mt. Rwenzori, DR Congo, 1100-1200 m. This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Endemicto the AlbertineRift, including E DR Congo, W Uganda, and SW Rwanda (Nyungwe Forest National Park).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 130-200 mm, tail 123-150 mm, ear 10-14 mm, hindfoot 26-29 mm; weight 75-135 g. The Rwenzori Ottershrewis small and ratsized and superficially resembles a large shrew. Fur is soft, and dark brown to black dorsally, with gray-based hair. Ventral pelageis similar to dorsal pelage, but hairs are slightly paler, only noticeable when dry. When wet, the Rwenzori Ottershrew looks uniformly dark

brown or black. Head is relatively large, with broad muzzle covered with long vibrissae; eyes are small. Ears are typically shrewlike and relatively small. Tailis thick, similar to head-body length, and sparsely covered with long hairs along its entire length. Limbs are short and similar in color to dorsum, with five digits on forefeet and hindfeet. Second and third digits of hindfeet are fused to form comb used for grooming. Webbing is present between digits of forefeet and hindfeet.

Habitat. Small streams and wetlands in various forest types in upland, mountainous areas at elevations of 800-2200 m. The Rwenzori Otter-Shrew is associated with rainforest at lower elevations and montane forest at higher elevations, butit also occurs in gallery forest and adjacent to wooded savanna in disturbed environments.

Food and Feeding. The Rwenzori Otter-shrew eats crabs, fish, aquatic worms, and insects. It consumes ¢.60% ofits body weight per night.

Breeding. There is little information available, but litters of Rwenzori Otter-shrews have 1-2 young. Births have been recorded in April.

Activity patterns. Rwenzori Otter-shrews are nocturnal and mostly aquatic. They forage in multiple bouts per night, followed by periods of grooming. Webbed feet suggest strong adaptation for an aquatic lifestyle. They swim by paddling with their limbs, using webbed feet in alternating strokes. When diving, feet can be used synchronously. Tail is not flattened and not used for propulsion.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Although the Rwenzori Otter-shrew is not currently under conservation threat, it does occur in stream habitats that are sensitive to degradation by increased soil erosion resulting from deforestation.

Bibliography. Guth et al. (1960), Rahm (1960, 1961), Vogel (2013c).

DuChaillu, 1860

Figures

1. Nimba Otter-shrew (Micropotamogale lamotte), 2. Rwenzor Otter-shrew (Micropotamogale ruwenzorii), 3. Giant Otter-shrew (Potamogale velox)

Distribution. Endemicto the AlbertineRift, including E DR Congo, W Uganda, and SW Rwanda (Nyungwe Forest National Park).