47.

Rahm’s Brush-furred Rat

Lophuromys rahmi

French

: Rat-hérissé de Rahm / German: Rahm-Birstenhaarmaus / Spanish: Rata de pelaje de cepillo de Rahm

Taxonomy. Lophuromys rahmi W. N. Verheyen, 1964,

Bogamanda near Lemera, Kivu, DR Congo.

Lophuromys rahmi was described based on striking morphological differences compared with other known species of Lophuromys . Its affinities with either L. sikapusi species group or L. flavopunctatus species group have not been clarified. Monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to the Albertine Rift around Lake Kivu in E DR Congo and Rwanda.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 95-116 mm, tail 48-56 mm, ear 10-15 mm, hindfoot 13-18 mm; weight 30-45 g. Rahm’s Brush-furred Rat and the Western Brush-furred Rat (L. stkapusi) have unspeckled dark-reddish brown dorsum and orange-red belly. Rahm’s Brush-furred Rat is small (especially hindfeet and head-bodylength) compared with the Buff-spotted Brush-furred Rat ( L. flavopunctatus) and the Western Brush-furred Rat. Tail of Rahm’s Brush-furred Rat is short (49-5-52-6% of headbody length). Skull is rather small, with large interorbital constriction and short rostrum.

Habitat. Mountain forests of the Albertine Rift around Kivu Lake at elevationsof 1900-2500 m. In Kahuzi-Biéga National Park (DR Congo), Rahm’s Brush-furred Rat was trapped in primary and secondary mountain forest with grass undercover and near swamps and small streams.

Food and Feeding. Rahm’s Brush-furred Rat is omnivorous; insects larvae, caterpillars, beetles, ants, and some seeds are important dietary items.

Breeding. Female Rahm’s Brush-furred Rats can have two embryos and be pregnant in February—July.

Activity patterns. Rahm’s Brush-furred Ratis terrestrial and nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Rahm’s Brush-furred Rat forages on the ground in Jeaf litter or among grass.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. Rahm’s Brush-furred Rat faces habitat destruction from logging, burning, cultivation, and pasture development.

Bibliography. Dieterlen (1976b), Kaleme et al. (2007), Kasangaki et al. (2003), Rahm (1967), Van der Straeten & Verheyen (1983), Verheyen (1964), Verschuren et al. (1983).