540.

West African Pygmy Mouse

Mus musculoides

French: Souris de Temminck / German: Temminck-Zwergmaus / Spanish: Ratén pigmeo de Africa occidental Taxonomy. Mus musculoides Temminck, 1853,

“Cote de Guine,” West Africa .

Based on cytochrome-b sequences, considered to be part of the M. minutoides species group. It can be diagnosed based on a chromosomal translocation between the X chromosome and autosomal pair 7. It is sympatric with M. minutoides in West-ern Africa although the latter may prefer more humid vegetation associations. Monotypic.

Distribution. Although previously thought to be more widespread, on chromosomal and molecular grounds it is restricted to Sudanian savanna belt from Senegal to W Ethiopia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 58-75 mm, tail 47-53 mm, ear 7-10 mm, hindfoot 12-14 mm; weight 6-9 g. The West African Pygmy Mouse is very small and has a short tail. Fur is soft and shiny, golden brown above and pure white below and on chin. Tail is short (¢.70% of head-body length), pale brown above and paler below. Ears with small postauricular white spot. Females have four pairs of nipples. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 18-19, FN = 36.

Habitat. Savanna woodland and grassland in the Sudanian savanna belt, where this species occupies drier habitats than the Sub-Saharan Pygmy Mouse ( M. minutoides). Food and Feeding. The West African Pygmy Mouse probably feeds on seeds and insects. Breeding. No information. Activity patterns. West African Pygmy Mice are nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Britton-Davidian et al. (2012), Bryja, Mikula, Sumbera et al. (2014), Happold (2013a), Kan Kouassi et al. (2008), Monadjem etal. (2015), Veyrunes, Britton-Davidian et al. (2005), Veyrunes, Catalan et al. (2004).