Dendroprionomys rousseloti, F. Petter, 1966

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 : 201

58.

Velvet African Climbing Mouse

Dendroprionomys rousseloti

French: Dendromus de Brazzaville / German: Samtklettermaus / Spanish: Raton trepador africano de terciopelo

Other common names: Congo Tree Mouse, Velvet Climbing Mouse

Taxonomy. Dendroprionomys rousseloti Petter, 1966 ,

Zoological Gardens , Brazzaville, SE Republic of the Congo .

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Only known from the type locality in Brazzaville, SE Republic of the Congo.

Descriptive notes. Head-body ¢.77 mm, tail ¢.108 mm, ear c.16 mm, hindfoot c.18 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Velvet African Climbing Mouse is small, with very long prehensile tail. Fur is relatively short, soft, and russet-brown dorsally and grayish-white ventrally. Base of each hair is dark gray. Each eye has a black ring that extends anteriorly onto muzzle. There is no mid-dorsal stripe. 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 or absent. Hindlimb has second to fourth digits elongated, fifth digit long and opposable with a claw, and first digit short but present.

Habitat. Only known from the vicinity of the type locality in the Zoological Garden of Brazzaville, which is situated in a sand forest at ¢.300 m above sea level.

Food and Feeding. Dentition of the Velvet African Climbing Mouse suggests thatit could be insectivorous.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Velvet African Climbing Mouse is terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. The Velvet African Climbing Mouse is known from just eight specimens collected from the type locality—the last one in 1966.

Bibliography. Denys (2013a), Denys et al. (1995), Monadjem et al. (2015), Petter (1966b).

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. Only known from the type locality in Brazzaville, SE Republic of the Congo.