Dendromus nyasae, Thomas, 1916

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

53.

Kivu African Climbing Mouse

Dendromus nyasae

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

Taxonomy. Dendromus mnyasae Thomas, 1916 ,

“ Nyika Plateau , N. Nyasa [District]. Alt. 6500’ [= 1981 m],” Malawi.

Relationship between the two subspeciesrequires investigation because they could be distinct species. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

D.n.nyasaeThomas,1916—STanzania,extremeNEZambia,andNMalawi.

D. n. kivu Thomas, 1916 — NE DR Congo, SW Uganda, and Rwanda.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 64-80 mm,tail 84-105 mm, ear 11-16 mm, hindfoot 17-22 mm; weight 6-20 g. The Kivu African Climbing Mouse is small but large for a species of Dendromus . Tail is very long and prehensile. Fur is long, soft, and bright brown dorsally and off-white ventrally. Base of each hairis dark gray. Mid-dorsalstripe extends from neck to base oftail, which may occasionally be indistinct. 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 claw, and first digit greatly reduced.

Habitat. Various upland grasslands, especially those associated with water, typically above elevations of 1300 m. The Kivu African Climbing Mouse can also occur on edges of swamps and agriculturalfields.

Food and Feeding. The Kivu African Climbing Mouse is omnivorous, eating seeds and insects.

Breeding. Most female Kivu African Climbing Mice are reproductively active during the wet season (September—May), although reproduction can occur throughout the year at lower intensity. Average litter size 4 young. Gestation is ¢.23-27 days. Neonates grow rapidly and are able to walk ¢.22 days of age when eyes also open. Weaning occurs at ¢.24 days and is completed at 35 days. It builds a grass nest that is usually attached to a grass stem or shrub close to ground level.

Activity patterns. The Kivu African Climbing Mouse is nocturnal. It is terrestrial but also climbs.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. In appropriate habitat, the Kivu African Climbing Mouse can comprise 10% of the small mammal community.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The [UCN Red List. Subspecies kivu classified as Least Concern (as D. kivu ). Due to its nature of occupying a variety of habitats, it is unlikely to be currently threatened although individual populations may be at risk in areas facing severe habitat transformation.

Bibliography. Dieterlen (1967a, 1967b, 1971, 1976c¢), Kaleme et al. (2007), Monadjem et al. (2015), Musser & Carleton (2005), Stanley & Hutterer (2007).

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)

Subspecies and Distribution. D.n.nyasaeThomas,1916—STanzania,extremeNEZambia,andNMalawi. D. n. kivu Thomas, 1916 — NE DR Congo, SW Uganda, and Rwanda.