389.

Rwenzori Vlei Rat

Otomys dartmouthi

French: Otomys de Dartmouth / German: Ruwenzori-Lamellenzahnratte / Spanish: Rata de laguna de Rwenzori

Taxonomy. Otomys dartmouthi Thomas, 1906,

Rwenzori East, Mubuku Valley, 12,500 ft (= 3810 m), SW Uganda.

Otomys dartmouth: previously was included in O. typus but shown to be a distinct species based on morphological and molecular grounds. Monotypic.

Distribution. Restricted to Rwenzori Mts, SW Uganda and neighboring DR Congo.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 150 mm, tail 93 mm, ear 25 mm, hindfoot 26-5 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Rwenzori Vlei Rat is relatively large and robust, with large blunt head, short tail, and shaggy fur. It is apparently somewhat smaller than the Ethiopian Vlei Rat ( O. typus). Fur is dark tawny brown above and slightly paler below, somewhat darker and more woolly than the Ethiopian Vlei Rat. Tail is short (c.60% of head-body length). Lower incisors have two deep grooves. M, has four laminae, and M? consistently has six laminae, fewer than other species within the O. typus species group.

Habitat. Moist alpine grasslands and swamps at elevations of 3300-4400 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Rwenzori Vlei Rat is presumably diurnal or crepuscular.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Dollman (1915), Monadjem et al. (2015), Musser & Carleton (2005), Taylor et al. (2011), Thomas (1906e).