Saccostomus umbriventer, Miller, 1910

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 : 197

41.

Gray-bellied Pouched Mouse

Saccostomus umbriventer

French: Saccostome a ventre gris / German: Graubauch-Kurzschwanzhamsterratte / Spanish: Raton de abazones de vientre gris

Taxonomy. Saccostomus umbriventer G.S. Miller, 1910 ,

“ Njori Osolali (Sotik), British East Africa [= Kenya].”

Molecular and morphological variation in S. mearnsi recently demonstrated two different species, referable here as S. mearnsi and S. umbriventer . Monotypic.

Distribution. N Tanzania and SW Kenya.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 133-136 mm, tail 556-60 mm, hindfoot ¢.20 mm. No specific data are available for ear length or body weight. The Gray-bellied Pouched Mouse is mediums=sized, with well-developed cheek pouches. Fur is soft and gray dorsally, clearly demarcated from white belly. Chin, throat, and upper chest are white. Ears are rounded. Tail is noticeably short and sparsely covered in bristles. Limbs are white, with four digits on forefeet and five digits on hindfeet.

Habitat. Masai Steppe savanna.

Food and Feeding. The Gray-bellied Pouched Mouse is presumed to be granivorous.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Gray-bellied Pouched Mouse is presumed to be nocturnal and terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Gray-bellied Pouched Mouse is presumed to be solitary.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Corti et al. (2004), Denys (1988), Mikula et al. (2016).

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. N Tanzania and SW Kenya.