Heliophobius argenteocinereus, Peters, 1846

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 352-370 : 367

1.

Silvery Mole-rat

Heliophobius argenteocinereus

French: Bathyergue argenté / German: Silbermull / Spanish: Rata topo plateada

Other common names: Silky Mole-rat, Silvery Mole Rat

Taxonomy. Heliophobius argenteocinereus Peters, 1846 ,

Tete (on the Zambezi River), Mozambique .

Based on the phylogeographic study by C. G. Faulkes and colleagues in 2011, it is very likely that the genus Heliophobius is represented by more than one species. Five subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

H.a.argenteocinereusPeters,1846—Mozambique,NofZambeziRiver.

H.a.eminiNoack,1894—mostofTanzania.

H.a.marungensisNoack,1887—SEDRCongo,EZambia,andMalawi.

H.a.kapitiHeller,1909—SKenya.

H. a. spalax Thomas, 1910 — NE Tanzania (Kilimanjaro and Eastern Arc Mts: Usambara, Uluguru, and Ukaguru).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 131-195 mm (males) and 131-191 mm (females), tail 6-16 mm (males) and 8-17 mm (females); weight 63-331 g (males) and 51-271 g (females). According to A. Scharff and colleagues in 2001, average size of the Silvery Mole-rat is larger in Malawi (mean 160 g, 142-168 g) than Zambia (mean 146 g, 118-170 g). It is mediumto large-sized; dorsal pelage is gray to sandy brown; and ventral pelage being lighter. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 60 or 62, FN = 144.

Habitat. Compact sandy soils in grasslands with annual rainfall more than 900 mm.

Food and Feeding. The Silvery Mole-rat is herbivorous generalist and eats bulbs, geophytes, green leaves, and tubers.

Breeding. Breeding of the Silvery Mole-rat occurs in May-June. Gestation exceeds 87 days, and litter size averages 3-2 young.

Activity patterns. The Silvery Mole-rat burrows. Genetic studies suggest that it can disperse aboveground.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Density of the Silvery Mole-rat is c.5 ind/ha; home range averages 157 m?. It is solitary and territorial, but genetic studies reveal multiple paternity.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Faulkes et al. (2011), George (1979), Knotkova et al. (2009), Maree & Faulkes (2008g), Monadjem et al. (2015), Patzenhauerova et al. (2010), Scharff, Macholan et al. (2001), Skliba et al. (2007, 2009), Sumbera, Burda & Chitaukali (2003), Sumbera, Chitaukali & Burda (2007), Sumbera, Chitaukali, Elichova et al. (2004), Sumbera, Skliba et al. (2008), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005).

Figures

1. Silvery Mole-rat (Heliophobius argenteocinereus), 2. Namaqua Dune Mole-rat (Bathyergus janetta), 3. Cape Dune Mole-rat (Bathyergus suillus), 4. Cape Mole-rat (Georychus capensis), 5. Common Mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus), 6. Ghana Mole-rat (Fukomys zechi), 7. Nigerian Mole-rat (Fukomys foxi), 8. Ochre Mole-rat (Fukomys ochraceocinereus), 9. Bocage’s Mole-rat (Fukomys bocagei), 10. Zambian Mole-rat (Fukomys amatus), 11. Ansell’s Mole-rat (Fukomys anselli), 12. Katue Mole-rat (Fukomys kafuensis), 13. Mechow’s Mole-rat (Fukomys mechowu), 14. Caroline’s Mole-rat (Fukomys vandewoestijneae), 15. Whyte’s Mole-rat (Fukomys whytei), 16. Damara Mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis), 17. Mashona Mole-rat (Fukomys darlingi)

Subspecies and Distribution. H.a.argenteocinereusPeters,1846—Mozambique,NofZambeziRiver. H.a.eminiNoack,1894—mostofTanzania. H.a.marungensisNoack,1887—SEDRCongo,EZambia,andMalawi. H.a.kapitiHeller,1909—SKenya. H. a. spalax Thomas, 1910 — NE Tanzania (Kilimanjaro and Eastern Arc Mts: Usambara, Uluguru, and Ukaguru).