- Home
- Lemniscomys rosalia Thomas, 1904
Lemniscomys rosalia Thomas, 1904
Order: Rodentia > Family: Muridae > Genus: Lemniscomys > Species: Lemniscomys rosalia Thomas, 1904
Common Name: Single-striped Grass Mouse [English]
Type Description
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 7, 13:414.
Type Locality
Tanzania, Nguru Mtns, Monda.
Measurements
Total length: 122-260 mm
Head and body: 98-140 mm
Tail length: 102-155 mm
Hindfoot length: 23-32 mm
Ear length: 11-18 mm
Weight: 20-68 g
Head and body: 98-140 mm
Tail length: 102-155 mm
Hindfoot length: 23-32 mm
Ear length: 11-18 mm
Weight: 20-68 g
Description
This rodent has a prominent black stripe down the midline of the back, a bicoloured tail and a white belly. The upper incisors are not grooved.
Comparisons
Other Lemniscomys have more than one line along the back. Other rodents with one line have either grooved upper incisors (Pelomys), or are smaller with a tail that is much longer than the head and body and only three toes on the front foot (Dendromus), or the belly is a dirty gray colour and not white (Arvicanthis).
Distribution
Lemniscomys rosalia is distributed throughout south and east Africa from the Dem. Rep. of Congo to southern Kenya down to northern Namibia, Botswana and northern South Africa. This species is found in grasslands and woodland localities. (Kingdon, 1984, 1997) L. rosalia has been recorded in variety of localities within Tanzania, including Tarangire National Park and near Dar es Salaam.
Key References
1. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Hares and Rodents). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2B:617-622.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 212-213.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1344-1346, 1596-1597.
4. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 212-213.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1344-1346, 1596-1597.
4. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.