Cricetomys kivuensis, Lonnberg, 1917

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 : 196

38.

Kivu Giant Pouched Rat

Cricetomys kivuensis

French: Cricétome du Kivu / German: Kivu-Riesenhamsterratte / Spanish: Rata de abazones gigante de Kivu

Taxonomy. Cricetomys kivuensis Lonnberg, 1917 ,

Masisi , DR Congo.

The distinctiveness of this species has recently been questioned on molecular and morphological grounds, and may therefore not represent a distinct species. Further studies are required to resolve the taxonomy of this genus. Monotypic.

Distribution. Restricted to the Albertine Rift in E DR Congo, SW Uganda, W Rwanda, and N Burundi.

Descriptive notes. Head-body ¢.320 mm, tail ¢.340 mm, ear c.45 mm, hindfoot c.69 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Kivu Giant Pouched Rat is a very large muroid rat, with well-developed cheek pouches. Fur is relatively long and soft, grayish dorsally shading to off-white ventrally. Snout is long and pointed. There are no dark rings around eyes as are typical in other species of Cricetomys . Ears are relatively long. Tail is slightly longer than head-body length, with terminal one-half conspicuously white compared with dark proximal one-half. Limbsare relatively short, with four digits on forefeet and five digits on hindfeet.

Habitat. Montane forest.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List. Other species of Cricetomys are hunted extensively for food. If the Kivu Giant Pouched Rat is also hunted in its limited distribution, its conservation status could be negatively affected.

Bibliography. Fa & Purvis (1997), Malcolm & Ray (2000), Monadjem et al. (2015), Olayemi et al. (2012), Ray & Duplantier (2013), Rosevear (1969).

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. Restricted to the Albertine Rift in E DR Congo, SW Uganda, W Rwanda, and N Burundi.