381.

Charada Vlei Rat

Otomys fortior

French: Otomys de Charada / German: Kaffa-Lamellenzahnratte / Spanish: Rata de laguna de Charada

Taxonomy. Otomys typus fortior Thomas, 1906,

Kaffa, Charada Forest, 6000 ft (= 1829 m), Ethiopia .

Otomys fortior previously was included in O. typus, but it isdistinct chromosomally, genetically, and morphologically. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from a few localities in SW Ethiopia (Beletta, Sheko, and Charada forests).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 145-182 mm, tail 85-98 mm, ear 20-26 mm, hindfoot 28— 30 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Charada Vlei Rat is large and robust, with large blunt head, short tail, and shaggy fur. Dorsum is dark brown, similar to the Ethiopian Vlei Rat ( O. typus). Tail of the Charada Vlei Rat is short (c.58% of headbody length). Lower incisors have two deep grooves. M has four laminae, and M* has modal number of eight laminae. Chromosomal complementis 2n = 58 and FNa = 58.

Habitat. Montane evergreen forests.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

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

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Monadjem et al. (2015), Taylor et al. (2011), Thomas (1906f).