Arvicanthis nairobae, J. A. Allen, 1909
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6887260 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6812026 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/1E30E275-34B1-FF00-E47A-28027E798A7F |
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treatment provided by |
Carolina |
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scientific name |
Arvicanthis nairobae |
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Nairobi Grass Rat
Arvicanthis nairobae View in CoL
French: Rat-roussard de Nairobi / German: Nairobi-Grasratte / Spanish: Rata de hierba de Nairobi
Other common names: East African Arvicanthis
Taxonomy. Arvicanthis nairobae J. A. Allen, 1909 View in CoL ,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Arvicanthis nairobae is easily confused with A. mniloticus, making the geographical boundaries of the species unclear. Diagno- sis is best based on chromosomal comple- ment, that of nairobae having 2n = 62, FN = 78. Monotypic.
Distribution. On basis of chromosomally determined specimens, Nairobi Grass Rat occurs in narrow band from C & W Kenya
to N Tanzania; it may be present also in S Ethiopia. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head—body 118-167 mm, tail 94-129 mm, ear 15-19 mm, hindfoot 22-30 mm; weight 51-135 g. The Nairobi Grass Rat is medium-sized; fur dorsally quite coarse and grizzled chestnut brown, and ventrally tan and softer-textured. Ears are small and covered with short brown hairs. Tail is relatively short (¢.73% of head—body length), darker above than below, and coarsely scaled with small bristles. Limbs are relatively short, with four digits on forefoot (first digit is absent; fifth digit is highly reduced but still bears a claw) and five digits on hindfoot.
Habitat. Somali-Masai grasslands and savannas, especially where there is woody cover combined with long grasses; e.g. dead trees and man-made bomas (livestock enclosures comprising woody Acacia fence).
Food and Feeding. The Nairobi Grass Ratis herbivorous. Dietmostly consists of grass, with other plants; some arthropods also eaten.
Breeding. Reproduction is seasonal. Average litter size (number of embryos) 5-5 (range 2-12).
Activity patterns. Nairobi Grass Rats are diurnal and terrestrial.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Nairobi Grass Rat is very social, living in large colonies. Densities may reach 100-200 ind/ha.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red Lust.
Bibliography. Castiglia et al. (2006), Happold (2013a), Monadjem et al. (2015), Neal (1981).
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.
