Lachaise's African Climbing Mous

discussion

REMARKS The main description was provided in Denys & Aniskine (2012); we recall here the main characteristics of the species. This small rodent has a rufous brown dorsal pelage without a distinct dorsal stripe (sometimes an inconspicuous one is present), a pure white belly, and a long prehensile tail. On the hindfoot, digit 1 is reduced and digit 5 is long and semiopposable with a claw. The standard external measurements are provided in Table 9. The skull is characterized by a long and narrow rostrum, a well marked interorbital constriction and a round inflated braincase. In ventral view the incisor foramina are long and wide and entering into the palate at the level of the t 4 of the upper M 1 /. The tympanic bullae are large and slightly inflated. The skull measurements are provided in Table 10. The molars, like in all other Dendromus, are characterized by the absence of t 1 on M 1 /, a small M 3 / 3 and some stephanodont crests linking alternate cusps.

Annotated checklist of rodents from a biodiversity hotspot, Mount Nimba (West Africa)

biology_ecology

Habitat. Wide variety of habitats including grassland, savanna, secondary forest, and cultivated lands typically at elevations of 50 - 600 m. Proximity to permanent water appears to be important to Lachaise’s African Climbing Mouse.

Nesomyidae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Nesomyidae

breeding

Breeding. [achaise’s African Climbing Mouse apparently builds a grass nest. A single female had four embryos during the rainy season.

Nesomyidae