55.

Woosnam'’s Brush-furred Rat

Lophuromys woosnami

French: Rat-hérissé de \Woosnam / German: \Woosnam-Birstenhaarmaus / Spanish: Rata de pelaje de cepillo de Woosnam

Taxonomy. Lophuromys woosnami Thomas, 1906,

Mubuku Valley, E Rwenzori, Uganda.

Lophuromys woosnami is one of three Lophuromys species in subgenus Kivumys. Its external characteristics and genetic differences allowed it to be removed from the L. flavopunctatus species group. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

L.w.woosnam:Thomas,1906—RwenzoriMts,EDRCongoandSWUganda.

L. w. prittiei Thomas, 1911 — highlands of Kigesi, Virunga Mts, and Nyungwe and Kibira forests, SW Uganda, E DR Congo, W Rwanda, and NW Burundi. Woosnam’s Brush-furred Rats of a still undescribed form are present W of Lake Kivu in E DR Congo.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 106-135 mm, tail 104-133 mm, ear 20-25 mm, hindfoot 24-27-5 mm; weight 38-64 g. Woosnam’s Brush-furred Rat is medium-sized. Dorsum 1s uniform medium to dark brown with reddish base, and venteris pale brown. Tail is long (c.105% of head-body length) and almost naked. Hindfeet are long compared with other species of Lophuromys, and claws are short. Specimens from West Kivu are larger than those from Rwenzori Mountains. Females bear two pairs of mammae. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 42 and FN = 72.

Habitat. Mountain forests on both sides of western Rift Valley at elevations of 1800— 3880 m. Woosnam’s Brush-furred Rat can live in forest clearings, bamboo stands, and rocky Afro-alpine vegetation.

Food and Feeding. Woosnam’s Brush-furred Rat is omnivorous. Stomachs have contained 40-50% arthropods and some snails; various plant material (e.g. seeds and bulbs) is also eaten.

Breeding. Female Woosnam'’s Brush-furred Rats give birth during the wet season. Gestation is 32 days. Pregnant females had 1-3 embryos (average 1-9). Young are precocial and develop rapidly. Males and females reach sexual maturity after 7-8 weeks and at weights 36-40 g for males.

Activity patterns. Woosnam’s Brush-furred Rats are nocturnal. It is terrestrial and able to jump and climb with its long feet.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Woosnam'’s Brush-furred Rat can be abundant and represent up to 56% of rodent communities. In captivity, no aggression was observed. Mutual grooming and participation in delivery and care of young by females indicate some sociality.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List. Woosnam’s Brush-furred Rat has a large distribution,is relatively abundant, and can live in various types of environments.

Bibliography. Corti et al. (2000), Dieterlen (1976b, 1987 2013g), Maddalena et al. (1989), Monadjem et al. (2015), Verschuren et al. (1983), Verheyen et al. (1986).