56.

Zena Brush-furred Rat

Lophuromys zena

French: Rat-hérissé de Nyeri / German: Zena-Birstenhaarmaus / Spanish: Rata de pelaje de cepillo de Zena

Other common names: Air Spiny Mouse, Western Sahara Spiny Mouse

Taxonomy. Lophuromys zena Dollman, 1909,

“East side of Aberdare Range, near Nyeri, British East Africa [= Kenya]; lat. 0° 28” 00” S., long. 36° 45° 00” E. Altitude 9581 feet [= 2920 m].”

Lophuromys zena was described as a full species distinct from L. aquilus based on its larger size, was later considered a subspecies of L. aquilus, and was finally incorporated into the L. flavopunctatus species group. Molecular and morphometric analyses confirmed its species status. Monotypic.

Distribution. Aberdare Range and Mt Kenya, C Kenya.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 108-139 mm, tail 42-88 mm, ear 16-3-20-5 mm, hindfoot 19-23-2 mm; weight 34-70 g.

Habitat. Poorly known but occurs in mountainous habitat.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List as a distinct species. The Zena Brush-furred Rat could be classified as Data Deficient; there are no records of recent captures in its presumed distribution.

Bibliography. Monadjem et al. (2015), Musser & Carleton (2005), Verheyen, Hulselmans, Dierckx, Mulungu et al. (2007), Verheyen, Hulselmans, Dierckx & Verheyen (2002).