459.

Albertine Rift Thicket Rat

Grammomys dryas

French: Grammomys du Rwenzori / German: Dryas-Akazienmaus / Spanish: Rata de matorral del Valle Albertino Other common names: Albertine Rift Grammomys, Forest Thicket Rat

Taxonomy. Thamnomys dryas Thomas, 1907,

"Rwenzori East, [Mubuku Valley, Uganda]. Alt. 6000-7000" [= 1830-2130 m].”

Although previously treated as a subspecies of G. dolichurus, G.dryaswas later recognized as a good species. Monotypic. Distribution. Restricted to elevations above 1000 m within the Albertine Rift Mts. Descriptive notes. Head-body 100-130 mm, tail 142-177 mm, car 15-21 mm, hindfoot 22-28 mm; weight 30-59 g. Fur of the Albertine Rift Thicket Rat is tawny brown above, becoming brighter orange brown on rump, with sharply demarcated pure white belly bordered by thin orange line. Tail is very long (160% of head-body length), semi-prehensile, tufted, and dark brown. Feet are pale buff, with four digits on forefoot and five on relatively short hindfoot, fifth digit longer and semi-opposable. Females have 0+2 = 2 pairs of nipples.

Habitat. Secondary forest and scrubby habitats, including banana plantations and garden shrubs.

Food and Feeding. Diet includes vegetable matter and ground nuts.

Breeding. There is no well-defined breeding season. Embryos number 1-6.

Activity patterns. Albertine Rift Thicket Rat are nocturnal and arboreal, although they are often caught on the ground.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. Dieterlen (1967a), Happold (2013a), Monadjem et al. (2015), Musser & Carleton (2005), Rahm (1967), Rahm & Christiaensen (1966).