Cryptomys hottentotus (Lesson 1826)

[Bathyergus] hottentotus Lesson 1826, Zool., Vol. 1: 166.

Type Locality: South Africa, Western Cape Prov., near Paarl (east of Capetown).

Vernacular Names: Southern African Mole-rat.

Subspecies::

Subspecies Cryptomys hottentotus subsp. hottentotus Lesson 1826

Subspecies Cryptomys hottentotus subsp. natalensis Roberts 1913

Subspecies Cryptomys hottentotus subsp. whytei Thomas 1897

Distribution: South Africa to Tanzania, S Dem. Rep. Congo, and Namibia.

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (lc).

Discussion: Includes holosericeus and natalensis (de Graaff, 1975:3-4; Honeycutt et al., 1991:51). Corbet and Hill (1991:208) recognized natalensis as a distinct species without comment. De Graff (1975, 1981) recognized seven subspecies ( amatus, bocagei, damarensis, hottentatus, natalensis, and whytei) but amatus, bocagei, damarensis and darlingi have subsequently been considered distinct species. Karyotype of C. h. hottentotus has 2n=54 and FN=106 (Nevo et al., 1986) and C. h. natalensis has 2n=54 and FN=104 (Nevo et al., 1986).