Dendromys melanotis, A. Smith, 1834, A. Smith, 1834

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 : 200-201

56.

Gray African Climbing Mouse

Dendromus melanotus

French: Dendromus gris / German: Graue Klettermaus / Spanish: Raton trepador africano gris

Taxonomy. Dendromys melanotis A. Smith, 1834 ,

“ South Africa,—on shrubs near Port Natal .”

Dendromus melanotis is in need of revision. It shows significant genetic variation, suggesting a species complex. Records from West Africa have recently been described as a new species, D. lachaisei. Based on recently molecular work, D. melanotis comprises at least four cryptic lineages in South Africa, but taxonomic implications are not yet clear. Furthermore, relationships of outlying populations in Nigeria and perhaps Ethiopia require investigation. Monotypic.

Distribution. Widespread in S Africa, from SW Angola and NW & E Namibia E to Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, and S to E & S South Africa and Swaziland; isolated populations occur in C Nigeria, SW Uganda, SW Ethiopia, C & S Kenya, and N & S Tanzania.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 50-77 mm, tail 55-96 mm, ear 8-18 mm, hindfoot 12-20 mm; weight 6-15 g. The Gray African Climbing Mouse is small, with long prehensile tail. Tail is darker above than below. Furis long, soft, and brown to grayish-brown dorsally and off-white ventrally. Base of each hair is dark gray. Obvious mid-dorsal stripe extends from neck to base oftail. 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 flattened nail, and first digit greatly reduced.

Habitat. Wide range of habitats including stands of tall Hyparrhenia (Poaceae) grassland, short montane grassland, dry Kalahari scrub, fringes of rivers, dry Baikiaea and Isoberlinia (both Fabaceae ) woodland, and flood-plains. The Gray African Climbing Mouse can recolonize burnt grasslands within one month offire, but itis typically associated with grasslands of high ecological integrity and therefore may be a good indicator of high-quality grasslands. In East Africa, it is typically associated with dry savanna but also occurs into moist habitats such as marshes and montane forest.

Food and Feeding. Poorly known. At one site in South Africa, all examined stomach contents from Gray African Climbing Mice contained seeds and about one-quarter had insects—similar to that reported in East Africa.

Breeding. In South Africa, pregnant Gray African Climbing Mice were collected during the rainy season and juveniles when rains had ended. They build grass nests with single entrances, usually attached to a grass stem or shrub close to ground level. They also use burrows. Litter sizes are 2-8 young.

Activity patterns. The Gray African Climbing Mouse is nocturnal and apparently predominantly terrestrial, although it can climb.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Gray African Climbing Mouse can occur in relatively high numbers in high-elevation grasslands of South Africa, where it has been recorded as the second or third most abundant small mammal species in certain habitats.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Ansell (1978), Avenant (2011), Avenant & Cavallini (2007), Avery (1987), De Graaff (1981), Denys & Aniskine (2012), Dieterlen (1971), Dippenaar et al. (1983), Goheen et al. (2004), Kerley (1992b), Kingdon (1974), Korn (1992), Lynch (1994), Martin (1985), Mendelsohn (1982), Monadjem et al. (2015), Perrin & Campbell (1980), Rautenbach et al. (2014), Robbins & Baker (1978), Rosevear (1969), Rowe-Rowe (1986), Rowe-Rowe & Lowry (1982), Rowe-Rowe & Meester (1982a, 1982b), Sheppe & Haas (1981), Smithers (1971), Solano et al. (2014), Taylor (1998).

Figures

1. White-tailed Tree Rat (Brachytarsomys albicauda), 2. Hairy-tailed Tree Rat (Brachytarsomys villosus), 3. Sleek-furred Ground Rat (Gymnuromys robert), 4. Antsingy Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus antsingy), 5. Carleton’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus carletoni), 6. Daniel’s Tufted-tail Rat (Elurus daniels), 7. Ellerman’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus ellermani), 8. Grandidier’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus grandidieri), 9. Major's Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus majori), 10. Lesser Tufted-taill Rat (Elurus minor), 11. Milne-Edwards’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus myoxinus), 12. White-tailed Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus penicillatus), 13. Petter’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus petteri), 14. Tanala Tufted-taill Rat (Elwurus tanala), 15. Webb's Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus webbi), 16. Anjozorobe Naked-tail Forest Mouse (Voalavo antsahabensis), 17. Northern Naked-tail Forest Mouse (Voalavo gymnocaudus), 18. Bastard’s Big-footed Mouse (Macrotarsomys bastardi), 19. Ankarafantsika Big-footed Mouse (Macrotarsomys ingens), 20. Petter’s Big-footed Mouse (Macrotarsomys peter), 21. Koopman' ’ s Forest Mouse (Monticolomys koopmani), 22. Giant Jumping Rat (Hypogeomys antimena), 23. Small Short-tailed Rat (Brachywromys betsileoensis), 24. Large Short-tailed Rat (Brachyuromys ramirohitra), 25. Audebert’s Forest Rat (Nesomys audeberti), 26. Lamberton’s Forest Rat (Nesomys lambertoni), 27. Red Forest Rat (Nesomys rufus), 28. Delany’s Swamp Mouse (Delanymys brooksi), 29. African White-tailed Rat (Mystromys albicaudatus), 30. Shortridge’s Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus shortridger), 31. Short-eared Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus monticularis), 32. Barbour’s Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus barbouri), 33. Common Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus collinus)

Distribution. Widespread in S Africa, from SW Angola and NW & E Namibia E to Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, and S to E & S South Africa and Swaziland; isolated populations occur in C Nigeria, SW Uganda, SW Ethiopia, C & S Kenya, and N & S Tanzania.