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Hylomyscus arcimontensis Carleton & Stanley, 2005
Order: Rodentia > Family: Muridae > Genus: Hylomyscus > Species: Hylomyscus arcimontensis Carleton & Stanley, 2005
Type Description
Carleton, M. D. and W. T. Stanley. 2005. Review of the Hylomyscus denniae complex (Rodentia: Muridae) in Tanzania, with a description of a new species. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 118(3):619-646.
Type Locality
Tanzania, Tanga Region, Muheza District, East Usambara Mountains, 4.5 km WNW Amani, Monga Tea Estate, control site; elevation 900 m; geographic coordinates, as recorded by the collector, 05°06'S, 38°36'E.
Measurements
Total length: 118-262 mm
Head and body: 71-120 mm
Tail length: 100-172 mm
Hindfoot length: 19.5-22 mm
Ear length: 8-21 mm
Weight: 8-42 g
Head and body: 71-120 mm
Tail length: 100-172 mm
Hindfoot length: 19.5-22 mm
Ear length: 8-21 mm
Weight: 8-42 g
Description
The Eastern Montane Hylomyscus is blackish brown around eyes and rostrum, dark brown on the back with more vivid sides, and whitish gray on the ventrum. The contrast between the sides and ventrum is prominent (
Comparisons
The Eastern Montane Hylomyscus can be differentiated from the Montane Hylomycus (Hylomyscus denniae) by the presence of 6 mammae instead of 8, a much larger subsquamosal fenestra in the otic region, and a relatively shorter incisive foramina. It can be differentiated from Ansell's Hylomyscus (H. anselli) in that it is generally smaller than H. anselli in both external and cranial measurements.For example, the mean total and tail lengths of H. anselli from the Mbizi Mountains is 246 and 146 mm, compared to 217 and 127 mm for H. arcimontensis from Mt. Rungwe. (Carleton & Stanley, 2005)Within the areas where it occurs (Eastern Arc Mountains and Mt. Rungwe) the Eastern Montane Hylomyscus is most commonly confused with the East African Praomys (Praomys delectorum). Hylomyscus has shorterbroader hind feet with the fifth digit almost as long as the next three digits (
Distribution
Hylomyscus arcimontensis is found in the forested highlands from the Misuku Mountains, northern Malawi to Mount Rungwe and contiguous highlands, in southwestern Tanzania and eastwards through the Eastern Arc Mountain chain to the South Pare Mountains, northeastern Tanzania with a known altitudinal range, 900-2410 m. (Carleton & Stanley, 2005)
Key References
1. Carleton, M. D. and W. T. Stanley. 2005. Review of the Hylomyscus denniae complex (Rodentia: Muridae) in Tanzania, with a description of a new species. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 118(3):619-646.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 206-207.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1344-1346, 1579.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 206-207.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1344-1346, 1579.