Fukomys mechowii (Peters, 1881)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6584692 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6584542 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/038F4B5A-FFA0-FFD6-A81F-F608BA05C142 |
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treatment provided by |
Carolina |
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scientific name |
Fukomys mechowii |
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13. View Plate 22: Bathyergidae
Mechow’s Mole-rat
French: Bathyergue de Mechow / German: Riesengraumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Mechow
Other common names: Angolan Giant Mole-rat, Giant Mole-rat, Mechow’s Mole Rat
Taxonomy. Georychus mechowii Peters, 1881 ,
Malange, Angola.
This species is monotypic.
Distribution. S & E DR Congo, E Angola, and N Zambia; recorded from N Malawi (Rumphi) and SW Tanzania (Ufipa), but identification of both records has not been fully confirmed. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 156-262 mm (males) and 135-205 mm (females), tail 23-31 mm (males) and 23-33-7 mm (females); weight 250-440 g (males) and 218-286 g (females). Mechow’s Mole-rat is the largest species of Fukomys . Its pelage is ocher dorsally and paler ventrally; it does not have a head patch. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 40, FN = 78 or 80.
Habitat. Generalist in terms of soils in agriculturalfields, forests, and brushlands with average annual rainfall of 1200 mm.
Food and Feeding. Mechow’s Mole-rat eats bulbs, tubers, grass roots, geophytes, and cultivated crops such as cassava and potatoes.
Breeding. Breeding of Mechow’s Mole-rat is aseasonal. Gestation is 97-111 days, and litter size averages two young (range 1-3).
Activity patterns. Activity of Mechow’s Mole-rat is correlated with temperature; excavation of burrow is performed by non-reproductive individuals.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Home range of Mechow’s Mole-rat averages 0-26 ha. Burrow systems cover 2-3 ha and contain nest chambers, food stores, and latrines. Mechow’s Mole-rats are social and live in colonies 3-20 individuals. They are monogamous, with more than one generation in a colony; breeding pairs appear to be unrelated. Litter sizes are 2—4 young.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Experienced hunters can harvest 600-800 Mechow’s Mole-rats/year, which could affect conservation in certain areas.
Bibliography. Bednéarova et al. (2013), Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Burda & Kawalika (1993), Lévy et al. (2013), Macholan et al. (1993), Maree & Faulkes (2008d), Scharff, LockerGritjen et al. (2001), Sichilima et al. (2008), Sumbera et al. (2012), Van Daele et al. (2004), Wallace & Bennett (1998), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
