Nyika African Climbing Mouse

discussion

Discussion: A dark-furred and large-bodied relative of D. melanotis, as indicated by synapomorphic possession of a nail on the fifth hind digit (claw in all other Dendromus), an elongate front fifth digit (vestigial and scarely evident in others), and burrowing habit to construct underground nests (other species are better climbers and nest above ground); see Ansell, 1974 b. The two comprise one of two species-pairs that commonly co-occur in southern Africa (Avery, 1998), in grassland and savanna woodland biomes at low and high altitudes (Chitaukali et al., 2001; Mugo et al., 1995). The report of D. melanotis nyikae from Ukerewe Isl in Lake Victoria (MCZ 26613; G. M. Allen and Loveridge, 1933) is an example of D. mystacalis.

Order Rodentia - Family Nesomyidae

distribution

Distribution: Patchy range in S Subsaharan Africa (about 5 º to 24 º S latitude) — SC Dem. Rep. Congo (Kananga, AMNH series), N and C Angola (Crawford-Cabral, 1998; Hill and Carter, 1941; FMNH), N South Africa (Tzaneen Dist. of Limpopo; de Graaff, 1997 bb), E Zimbabwe (de Graaff, 1997 bb), Zambia (Ansell, 1978), Malawi (Ansell, 1989 b; Ansell and Dowsett, 1988; Chitaukali et al., 2001), and Eastern Arc Mtns, NE Tanzania (Stanley et al., 1998 b; Udzungwa Mtns, FMNH); limits unknown.

Order Rodentia - Family Nesomyidae

discussion

COMMENTS: The record from Zaire is documented by specimens in the American Museum of Natural History collected at Kananga (Luluabourg) and labelled pecilei.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

distribution

DISTRIBUTION: SC Zaire, N and C Angola, South Africa (E Transvaal), E Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, SW Tanzania, and Mozambique; limits unknown.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae