Graphiurus (Graphiurus) johnstoni Thomas 1897

Graphiurus (Graphiurus) johnstoni Thomas 1897, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1897: 934.

Type Locality: Malawi: Zomba .

Vernacular Names: Johnston's African Dormouse.

Distribution: S Malawi (Happold and Happold, 1997 a [as G. lorraineus]; Thomas, 1898); limits unknown.

Discussion: Subgenus Graphiurus . Ansell and Dowsett (1988), Ansell (1989 b), and Holden (1993) synonymized johnstoni under G. kelleni . My recent reexamination and comparisons of museum specimens (including all holotypes), and preliminary unpublished multivariate analyses indicate that G. johnstoni represents a species distinct from, but morphologically closely related to, G. lorraineus, not G. kelleni (before my analyses were completed, I identified a specimen of G. johnstoni as G. lorraineus in Happold and Happold, 1997 a, 1998). Few specimens exist that can be attributed to G. johnstoni . If future research using larger samples of G. johnstoni indicates that G. johnstoni and G. lorraineus are conspecific, the latter would be a junior synonym of G. johnstoni (see account of G. lorraineus). Holden (In press) reviewed G. johnstoni as a species pending additional study. See comments under G. kelleni and G. murinus .