Dendromus nyasae, Thomas, 1916
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6600357 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6600307 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03993828-FFE3-0F47-FF25-FE08CEF9F7FE |
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treatment provided by |
Felipe |
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scientific name |
Dendromus nyasae |
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Kivu African Climbing Mouse
French: Dendromus du Kivu / German: Kivu-Klettermaus / Spanish: Ratén trepador africano de Kivu
Taxonomy. Dendromus mnyasae Thomas, 1916 ,
“ Nyika Plateau , N. Nyasa [District]. Alt. 6500’ [= 1981 m],” Malawi.
Relationship between the two subspeciesrequires investigation because they could be distinct species. Two subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
D.n.nyasaeThomas,1916—STanzania,extremeNEZambia,andNMalawi.
D. n. kivu Thomas, 1916 — NE DR Congo, SW Uganda, and Rwanda. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 64-80 mm,tail 84-105 mm, ear 11-16 mm, hindfoot 17-22 mm; weight 6-20 g. The Kivu African Climbing Mouse is small but large for a species of Dendromus . Tail is very long and prehensile. Fur is long, soft, and bright brown dorsally and off-white ventrally. Base of each hairis dark gray. Mid-dorsalstripe extends from neck to base oftail, which may occasionally be indistinct. Ears are relatively large and rounded. Limbs are adapted for climbing. Second to fourth digits of forelimbs have elongated claws, and first and fifth digits are greatly reduced. Hindlimb has second to fourth digits elongated,fifth digit long and opposable with a claw, and first digit greatly reduced.
Habitat. Various upland grasslands, especially those associated with water, typically above elevations of 1300 m. The Kivu African Climbing Mouse can also occur on edges of swamps and agriculturalfields.
Food and Feeding. The Kivu African Climbing Mouse is omnivorous, eating seeds and insects.
Breeding. Most female Kivu African Climbing Mice are reproductively active during the wet season (September—May), although reproduction can occur throughout the year at lower intensity. Average litter size 4 young. Gestation is ¢.23-27 days. Neonates grow rapidly and are able to walk ¢.22 days of age when eyes also open. Weaning occurs at ¢.24 days and is completed at 35 days. It builds a grass nest that is usually attached to a grass stem or shrub close to ground level.
Activity patterns. The Kivu African Climbing Mouse is nocturnal. It is terrestrial but also climbs.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. In appropriate habitat, the Kivu African Climbing Mouse can comprise 10% of the small mammal community.
Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The [UCN Red List. Subspecies kivu classified as Least Concern (as D. kivu ). Due to its nature of occupying a variety of habitats, it is unlikely to be currently threatened although individual populations may be at risk in areas facing severe habitat transformation.
Bibliography. Dieterlen (1967a, 1967b, 1971, 1976c¢), Kaleme et al. (2007), Monadjem et al. (2015), Musser & Carleton (2005), Stanley & Hutterer (2007).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
