Acomys (Acomys) kempi Dollman 1911

Acomys (Acomys) kempi Dollman 1911, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 8, 8: 125.

Type Locality: Kenya, Chanler Falls, N Guaso Nyiro.

Vernacular Names: Kemp's Spiny Mouse.

Synonyms: Acomys (Acomys) montanus Heller 1914; Acomys (Acomys) pulchellus Dollman 1911 .

Distribution: S Ethiopia, S Somalia, Kenya and NE Tanzania (samples in FMNH and USNM); also see Bates (1994); limits unknown.

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (lc).

Discussion: Subgenus Acomys . Originally described by Dollman as a subspecies of A. ignitus and listed that way by Ellerman (1941) and Hollister (1919), but considered a subspecies of A. cahirinus by Setzer (1975). Treated as a species by Janecek et al. (1991) with closest evolutionary ties to A. cahirinus . The morphological characteristics and geographic range of kempi may represent the eastern segment of A. cineraceus . Hollister (1919) correctly explained why pulchellus is a synonym of A. kempi; we include montanus based upon our studies.