487.

Target Rat

Stochomys longicaudatus

French: Rat fléché / German: Zielratte / Spanish: Rata objetivo

Taxonomy. Dasymys longicaudatus Tullberg, 1893,

Cameroon.

Relationships of Stochomys are uncertain. S. longicaudatus has previously been allocated to several other genera, and is possibly close to Hybomys . Monotypic.

Distribution. Widespread in tropical Africa from Volta River(Ghana) E through Congo Basin to the Albertine Rift (Uganda) and S to NW Angola (Cabinda) and SC DR Congo; occurs also on Bioko I.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 100-165 mm, tail 185-230 mm, ear 17-24 mm, hindfoot 25-33 mm; weight 70-102 g. The Target Rat is a medium-sized stocky rodent with dense woolly fur and very long tail. Fur is reddish brown to chocolate-brown above, brownish gray on flanks, and whitish or whitish brown below. Long, shiny black, backward-facing distinctive guard hairs give appearance of arrows fired into a target (hence common name). Head is large and broad, with very long whiskers, large eyes, and moderately sized rounded ears covered in short hairs. Forefeet have five digits,first digit very reduced with claw; hindfeet have five digits, first and fifth digits short. Tail is very long (c.146% of head-body length), covered with short bristles, appearing naked. Females have 1+2 = 3 pairs of nipples.

Habitat. Primary and secondary rainforest, especially near rivers and in areas with dense understory and open canopy. Less commonly occupies cultivated areas and oil palm plantations.

Food and Feeding. Diet is mainly herbivorous, comprising mostly fruit and seeds, as well as insects.

Breeding. Limited data suggest that Target Rats have small litters (1-4 embryos per pregnant female) and that they breed throughout year.

Activity patterns. Target Rats are nocturnal and terrestrial, and are scansorial (adapted for climbing).

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Trapping data suggest that Target Rats are nomadic, and that they have potential for comparatively high longevity for a rodent (recaptures after periods of up to 25 months).

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

Bibliography. Happold (1977 1987 2013a), Lecompte et al. (2008), Misonne (1969), Monadjem et al. (2015), Schenk et al. (2013), Watts & Baverstock (1995).