406.

KwaZulu Natal Vlei Rat

Otomys laminatus

French: Otomys lamellé / German: KwaZulu-Lamellenzahnratte / Spanish: Rata de laguna de Zululandia

Other common names: KwaZulu Vlei Rat, Laminate Vlei Rat

Taxonomy. Otomys laminatus Thomas & Schwann, 1905,

Sibhudeni, 1050 m, Nkandhla Forest, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Three disjunct populations in SW & E South Africa, in the Paarl Valley and Cape Peninsula of Western Cape Province and E slopes of the Drakensberg in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 158- 213 mm,tail 97-115 mm, ear 17-26 mm, hindfoot 22-34 mm; weight 140-264 g. The KwaZulu Natal Vlei Rat is medium to large in size and robust, with large blunt head, short tail, and shaggy fur. Fur is dark buffy brown or raw umber above and dull yellowish below.Females have two pairs of nipples. Upper and lower incisors each have single deep groove, and additional shallow groove is present on lower incisors. M has seven laminae, and M? has 8-10 laminae (usually nine)—both of which are diagnostic.

Habitat. Coastal and montane fynbos dominated by Restio (Restionaceae), grasslands, and coastal forest from sea level up to elevations of at least 2000 m.

Food and Feeding. The KwaZulu Natal Vlei Rat is probably entirely herbivorous, feeding on grasses, Restio, and shrubs.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The KwaZulu Natal Vlei Rat is terrestrial and presumably diurnal or crepuscular.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. De Graaff (1981), Happold (2013a), Monadjem et al. (2015), Taylor (1998), Taylor et al. (1994).