592.

Mount Kenya Wood Mouse

Hylomyscus endorobae

French: Hylomysque du Kenya / German: Mount-Kenya-Afrikawaldmaus / Spanish: Ratén de bosque del Monte Kenia

Other common names: Heller's Hylomyscus, Heller's Wood Mouse, Mount Kenya Hylomyscus, Small-footed Forest Mouse

Taxonomy. Epimys endorobae Heller, 1910, 40 km N Eldoma (= Eldama) Ravine, west-ern edge of Mau Forest, Kenya, 8600 ft (= 2621 m).

Hylomyscus endorobae was previously included in H. denniae but elevated to a distinct species based on morphological and biogeographical grounds. The status of Hylomyscus specimens from Mount Elgon are currently uncertain and may possible refer to this species. Monotypic.

Distribution. Highlands of WC Kenya, including Mau Escarpment, Aberdare Mts, and Mt Kenya; also possibly on Mt Elgon in Uganda—Kenya border.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 92-120 mm, tail 123-172 mm, hindfoot 18-26 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Fur of the Mount Kenya Wood Mouse is soft and dense, presumably similar in color to the Montane Wood Mouse ( H. denniae), dark brownish gray above with tinge of rufous on flanks and whitish gray below. Tail is very long (c.144% of head-body length) and appears naked except for tuft of hair at tip. Fifth digit on hindfoot is opposable and almost as long as second to fourth digits. Females have four pairs of nipples. Incisors are opisthodont.

Habitat. Montane forests generally at elevations above 1900 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Mount Kenya Wood Mice are presumably arboreal and nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Carleton et al. (2006), Monadjem et al. (2015).