Dendromus lachaiser, Denys & Aniskine, 2012

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Nesomyidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 156-203 : 198

44.

Lachaise’s African Climbing Mouse

Dendromus lachaiser

French: Dendromus de Lachaise / German: Lachaise-Klettermaus / Spanish: Ratén trepador africano de Lachaise

Other common names: Lachaise’s Climbing Mouse

Taxonomy. Dendromus lachaisei Denys & Aniskine, 2012 ,

Mount Nimba , Guinea .

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. SE Guinea, Liberia, and Ivory Coast.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 55-78 mm, tail 79-98 mm, ear 10-13 mm, hindfoot 15-19 mm; weight c.11 g. Lachaise’s African Climbing Mouse is small, with very long prehensile tail. Fur is long, soft, and bright ocherous brown dorsally and pure white ventrally. Base of each hair is dark gray. There is no mid-dorsal line or stripe. Ears 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. Wide variety of habitats including grassland, savanna, secondary forest, and cultivated lands typically at elevations of 50-600 m. Proximity to permanent water appears to be important to Lachaise’s African Climbing Mouse.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. [achaise’s African Climbing Mouse apparently builds a grass nest. A single female had four embryos during the rainy season.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. Denys & Aniskine (2012), Gautun et al. (1986), Heim de Balsac & Bellier (1967), Heim de Balsac & Lamotte (1958), Monadjem et al. (2015).