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Lophiomys imhausi Milne-Edwards, 1867

Order: Rodentia > Family: Muridae > Genus: Lophiomys > Species: Lophiomys imhausi Milne-Edwards, 1867

Common Name: Crested Rat [English]

Type Description

L'Institut, Paris, 35:46.

Type Locality

Somalia ('Probably from African coast oppostie Aden, where it was purchased,' G. M. Allen, 1939:315; also see Thomas, 1910c:222).

Measurements

Head and body: 255-360 mm
Tail length: 140-215 mm
Weight: 590-920 g

Description

This rare rat is recognized by the granulated skull and the black and white markings of the fur.

Distribution

Scattered from the Sudan to Somalia down to northern Tanzania, Lophiomys imhausi is found in forests and woodlands on drier mountain massifs and highlands between 1,200 and 2,700 m. (Kingdon, 1984, 1997)

Key References

1. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Hares and Rodents). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2B:520-526.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 192.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1344-1346, 1430-1431.