Otomys lacustris (G. M. Allen & Loveridge, 1933)

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 536-884 : 744

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6887260

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6788312

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/1E30E275-34A9-FF18-E19B-200D7EC387B8

treatment provided by

Carolina

scientific name

Otomys lacustris
status

 

396. View On

Tanzanian Vlei Rat

Otomys lacustris View in CoL

French: Otomys de Tanzanie / German: Tansania-Lamellenzahnratte / Spanish: Rata de laguna de Tanzania

Other common names: Lake Vlei Rat

Taxonomy. Otomys (Anchotomys) anchietae lacustris G. M. Allen & Loveridge, 1933 View in CoL ,

“Madehani, Ukinga Mountains, north end of Lake Nyasa, Tanganyika Territory [= Tanzanial.”

Otomys lacustris previously was included in O. anchietae . Otomys lacustris from Southern Rift Mountains and Eastern Arc Mountains are paraphyletic based on mtDNA sequences. Monotypic.

Distribution. S Rift highlands of S Tanzania and neighbouring Zambia and Malawi, with undescribed cryptic species in Ukaguru, Uluguru, and Udzungwa Mts of Eastern Arc Mts, Tanzania. View Figure

Descriptive notes. Head-body 155-185 mm, tail 93-108 mm, ear 20-25 mm, hindfoot 30-32 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Tanzanian Vlei Rat is large and robust, with large blunt head, shorttail, and shaggy fur. Fur is dark blackish brown above, dark brown on flanks, and paler below. Upper and lower incisors each have single deep groove. M | has five laminae, and M? has six or occasionally seven laminae.

Habitat. Forest habitats close to streams at elevations of 1400-2300 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

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

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Allen & Loveridge (1933), Dieterlen & Van der Straeten (1992), Happold (2013a), Monadjem et al. (2015), Taylor & Kumirai (2001), Taylor, Maree, van Sandwyk, Kerbis Peterhans et al. (2009).

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Rodentia

Family

Muridae

Genus

Otomys

Loc

Otomys lacustris

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr 2017
2017
Loc

Otomys (Anchotomys) anchietae lacustris

G. M. Allen & Loveridge 1933
1933
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