485.

Angolan Groove-toothed Swamp Rat

Pelomys campanae

French: Pélomys dAngola / German: Angola-Furchenzahn-Bachratte / Spanish: Rata de ciénaga de dientes estriados de Angola

Other common names: Angolan Pelomys, Bell Groove-toothed Swamp Rat

Taxonomy. Golunda campanae Huet, 1888,

[Landana, west coast of Angola.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Occurs widely in N & W Angola and W & SC DR Congo.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 120- 170 mm,tail 138-146 mm, ear 14-19 mm, hindfoot 30-33 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Angolan Groove-toothed Swamp Rat is a mediumsized rodent with grooved upper incisors. Fur is coarse, glossy, golden yellow to rusty brown above and on flanks, clearly delineated from dull white to yellowish-white belly. Distinct black stripe extends from midback to base of tail. Nose, ears, and around eyes are rusty brown. Forefeet have first digit very reduced and fifth digit reduced, with a claw; hindfeet have all digits clawed, second to fourth digits long, first and fifth short. Tail is long (c.100% of head-body length), bicolored, dark above and pale below,with short bristles above becoming slightly longer on sides and below. Females usually have 2+2 = 4 pairs of nipples. Upper incisors are grooved. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 48, FNa = 52.

Habitat. Grassland savannas, forest edges, cultivated areas, and old gardens.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Grubb et al. (1998), Happold (2013a), Heim de Balsac & Lamotte (1958), Monadjem etal. (2015), Rosevear (1969).