Lophuromys (Kivumys) luteogaster Hatt 1934

Lophuromys (Kivumys) luteogaster Hatt 1934, Am. Mus . Novit., 708: 4.

Type Locality: Dem. Rep. Congo, Orientale (Haute-Zaire), Ituri Dist., Medje.

Vernacular Names: Buff-bellied Brush-furred Rat.

Distribution: NE and E Dem. Rep. Congo (Medje, Irangi, Bafwasende, and Tungula; Dieterlen, 1987); limits unknown.

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (lc).

Discussion: Subgenus Kivumys . W. Verheyen et al. (1996 a:250) referred to a " L.woosnami-luteogaster species-complex." Redescribed by W. Verheyen (1964 c), who noted that skull of holotype is an L. aquilus (discussed as flavopunctatus) but the skin does represent the species named by Hatt, and both skin and skull of the paratype are luteogaster; earlier, Osgood (1936:244) had identified the holotype as being a mismatch: "Although the skin is unique among Lophuromys, the skull is perfectly normal for a member of the aquilus group." Additional descriptions and references to this poorly known species were summarized by Dieterlen (1975, 1976 b, 1987).