Eastern Rainforest Grammomys

discussion

Discussion: Phylogenetically closely related to G. poensis but differs in its smaller skull and shorter molar rows. The karyotype 2 n = 50 described by Matthey (1963) for a specimen captured in Republic of Congo probably refers to G. kuru and contrasts with the 2 n = 36 reported from the Côte d’Ivoire (see account of G. poensis). The taxon kuru has been treated as a synonym of G. rutilans (D. H. S. Davis, 1965; Musser and Carleton, 1993) or sometimes listed as a species (e. g., Ellerman, 1941), but with provisions (Hatt, 1940 b; Hutterer and Dieterlen, 1984; Thomas, 1915); our study of the holotype revealed it is a very young adult. Measurements of the molar rows are like those in samples from E Dem. Rep. Congo and unlike samples of the larger G. poensis (see discussion in Hatt, 1940 b).

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

distribution

Distribution: Probably most of the E Congo Basin in S Central African Republic, Dem. Rep. Congo, forest patches in W Uganda (Delany, 1975, as rutilans), and possibly Republic of Congo; limits unresolved.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

materials_examined

Type Locality: NE Dem. Rep. Congo, Orientale, Angu, Uele River.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

activity

Activity patterns. Eastern Rainforest Thicket Rats are nocturnal and arboreal.

Muridae