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Fukomys mechowii (Peters, 1881), the giant mole-rat or Mechow’s mole-rat, is a cooperatively breeding, tooth-digging, subterranean rodent. It is the largest representative of the genus Fukomys, which is part of the African mole-rat family Bathyergidae. It is found in mesic shrubland, savannah habitats, and agricultural lands in central Africa, its range extending through Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. Fukomys mechowii is hunted for its meat in rural areas but its population is considered to be stable. It is rarely housed in captivity and is listed as “Least Concern” (LC) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

Small size in mammals usually restricts long-term, frequent monitoring of endocrine function using plasma as a matrix. Thus, the non-invasive monitoring of hormone metabolite concentrations in excreta may provide an invaluable approach. The aim of the current study was to examine the suitability of enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for monitoring responses to stressors in the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber, NMR) using urine and feces as hormone matrices. A saline control administration, and a high- and low-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge were performed on six male and six female disperser morph NMRs. The results revealed that a 5α-pregnane-3β,11β,21-triol-20-one EIA detecting glucocorticoid metabolites (GCMs) with a 5α-3β-11β-diol structure is the most suitable assay for measuring concentrations in male urine samples, whereas an 11-oxoaetiocholanolone EIA detecting GCMs with a 5β-3α-ol-11-one structure appears the most suitable EIA for quantifying GCMs in female urine. An 11-oxoaetiocholanolone EIA detecting 11,17 dioxoandrostanes was the most suitable EIA for quantifying GCMs in the feces of both sexes. There were sex-related differences in response to the high- and low-dose ACTH challenge. We recommend using feces as a more suitable matrix for non-invasive GCM monitoring for NMRs which can be valuable when investigating housing conditions and other welfare aspects.

Animal personality traits (consistent behavioral differences between individuals in their behavior across time and/or situation) affect individual fitness through facets, such as dispersal. In eusocial naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) colonies, a disperser morph may arise with distinct morphological, behavioral, and physiological characteristics. This study aimed to quantify the personality traits of a cohort of disperser morphs of naked mole-rat (NMR). Behavioral tests were performed on twelve disperser morphs (six males and six females) in an observation tunnel system that was novel and unfamiliar. Novel stimuli (fresh snakeskin, tissue paper, and conspecific of the same sex) were introduced for fifteen minutes, and the behavioral acts of the individual were recorded. A total of 30 behaviors were noted during the behavioral tests of which eight were used to quantify aggression, boldness, and exploration. The NMR disperser morphs showed consistent individual differences in boldness, and exploration across time and test, indicating a distinct personality. In addition, new naked mole-rat responses including disturbance behaviors; confront, barricade, and stay-away, were recorded. Further investigations into the relationships between animal personality traits and social hierarchy position in entire colonies are needed for more informative results as we further investigate the role of personality in cooperatively breeding societies.

Naked mole-rats express many unusual traits for such a small rodent. Their morphology, social behaviour, physiology, and ageing have been well studied over the past half-century. Many early findings and speculations about this subterranean species persist in the literature, although some have been repeatedly questioned or refuted. While the popularity of this species as a natural-history curiosity, and oversimplified story-telling in science journalism, might have fuelled the perpetuation of such misconceptions, an accurate understanding of their biology is especially important for this new biomedical model organism. We review 28 of these persistent myths about naked mole-rat sensory abilities, ecophysiology, social behaviour, development and ageing, and where possible we explain how these misunderstandings came about.

Individual variation in growth rates often generates variation in fitness. However, the ability to draw meaningful inferences from growth data depends on the use of growth models that allow for direct comparisons of growth between the sexes, between populations, and between species. Unlike traditional sigmoid functions, a recently parameterized family of unified growth models provides a reliable basis for comparisons since each parameter affects a single curve characteristic and parameters are directly comparable across the unified family. Here, we use the unified-models approach to examine the development of sexual size dimorphism in Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis), where breeding males are larger than breeding females. Using skeletal measurements, we show here that the larger size of male Damaraland mole-rats arises from an increased growth rate across the entire period of development, rather than through sex differences in the duration or timing of growth. Male-biased skeletal size dimorphism is not unusual among rodents, and our measures of sex differences in size in captive mole-rats are close to sexual size differences in the wild, where size dimorphism = 1.04 (male:female). We hope our study will encourage the wide use of unified growth models by mammalogists.

The Bathyergidae, commonly known as blesmols or African mole-rats, is a family of rodents well-known for their subterranean lifestyle and tunnelling behaviour. Four of the five extant bathyergid genera (Cryptomys, Fukomys, Georychus and Heliophobius) are chisel-tooth diggers, that is they dig through soil with their enlarged incisors, whereas the remaining genus (Bathyergus) is a scratch-digger, only using its forelimbs for burrowing. Heterocephalus glaber, the naked mole-rat, is also a chisel-tooth digger and was until recently included within the Bathyergidae (as the most basally branching genus), but has now been placed by some researchers into its own family, the Heterocephalidae. Given the importance of the masticatory apparatus in habitat construction in this group, knowledge and understanding of the morphology and arrangement of the jaw-closing muscles in Bathyergidae is vital for future functional analyses. Here, we use diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced microCT to reveal and describe the muscles of mastication in representative specimens of each genus of bathyergid mole-rat and to compare them to the previously described musculature of the naked mole-rat. In all bathyergids, as in all rodents, the masseter muscle is the most dominant component of the masticatory musculature. However, the temporalis is also a relatively large muscle, a condition normally associated with sciuromorphous rodents. Unlike their hystricomorphous relatives, the bathyergids do not show an extension of the masseter through the infraorbital foramen on to the rostrum (other than a very slight protrusion in Cryptomys and Fukomys). Thus, morphologically, bathyergids are protrogomorphous, although this is thought to be secondarily derived rather than retained from ancestral rodents. Overall, the relative proportions of the jaw-closing muscles were found to be fairly consistent between genera except in Bathyergus, which was found to have an enlarged superficial masseter and relatively smaller pterygoid muscles. It is concluded that these differences may be a reflection of the behaviour of Bathyergus which, uniquely in the family, does not use its incisors for digging.

The specialization of individuals in specific behavioural tasks is often attributed either to irreversible differences in development, which generate functionally divergent cooperative phenotypes, or to age-related changes in the relative frequency with which individuals perform different cooperative activities; both of which are common in many insect caste systems. However, contrasts in cooperative behaviour can take other forms and, to date, few studies of cooperative behaviour in vertebrates have explored the effects of age, adult phenotype and early development on individual differences in cooperative behaviour in sufficient detail to discriminate between these alternatives. Here, we used multinomial models to quantify the extent of behavioural specialization within nonreproductive Damaraland mole-rats, Fukomys damarensis, at different ages. We showed that, although there were large differences between individuals in their contribution to cooperative activities, there was no evidence of individual specialization in cooperative activities that resembled the differences found in insect societies with distinct castes where individual contributions to different activities are negatively related to each other. Instead, individual differences in helping behaviour appeared to be the result of age-related changes in the extent to which individuals committed to all forms of helping. A similar pattern is observed in cooperatively breeding meerkats, Suricata suricatta, and there is no unequivocal evidence of caste differentiation in any cooperative vertebrate. The multinomial models we employed offer a powerful heuristic tool to explore task specialization and developmental divergence across social taxa and provide an analytical approach that may be useful in exploring the distribution of different forms of helping behaviour in other cooperative species.

CA Dammann Many aging-associated physiological changes are known to occur in short- and long-lived species with different trajectories. Emerging evidence suggests that numerous life history trait differences between species are based on interspecies variations in gene expression. Little information is available, however, about differences in transcriptome changes during aging between mammals with diverging lifespans. For this reason, we studied the transcriptomes of five tissue types and two age cohorts of two similarly sized rodent species with very different lifespans: laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) and giant mole-rats (Fukomys mechowii), with maximum lifespans of 3.8 and more than 20 years, respectively. Our findings show that giant mole-rats exhibit higher gene expression stability during aging than rats. Although well-known aging signatures were detected in all tissue types of rats, they were found in only one tissue type of giant mole-rats. Furthermore, many differentially expressed genes that were found in both species were regulated in opposite directions during aging. This suggests that expression changes which cause aging in short-lived species are counteracted in long-lived species. Taken together, we conclude that expression stability in giant mole rats (and potentially in African mole-rats in general) may be one key factor for their long and healthy life. © Sahm et al.

Previous studies of African mole-rats of the genera Heliophobius and Fukomys (Bathyergidae) in the regions of East and south central Africa have revealed a diversity of species and vicariant populations, with patterns of distribution having been influenced by the geological process of rifting and changing patterns of drainage of major river systems. This has resulted in most of the extant members of the genus Fukomys being distributed west of the main Rift Valley. However, a small number of isolated populations are known to occur east of the African Rift Valley in Tanzania, where Heliophobius is the most common bathyergid rodent. We conducted morphological, craniometric and phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences of two allopatric populations of Tanzanian mole-rats (genus Fukomys) at Ujiji and around Mount Hanang, in comparison with both geographically adjacent and more distant populations of Fukomys. Our results reveal two distinct evolutionary lineages, forming clades that constitute previously unnamed species. Here, we formally describe and designate these new species F. livingstoni and F. hanangensis respectively. Molecular clock-based estimates of divergence times, together with maximum likelihood inference of biogeographic range evolution, offers strong support for the hypothesis that vicariance in the Western Rift Valley and the drainage patterns of major river systems has subdivided populations of mole-rats. More recent climatic changes and tectonic activity in the “Mbeya triple junction” and Rungwe volcanic province between Lakes Rukwa and Nyasa have played a role in further isolation of these extra-limital populations of Fukomys in Tanzania.

12. Katue Mole-rat Fukomys kafuensis French: Bathyergue du Kafue / German: Kafue-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Kafue Taxonomy. Cryptomys kafuensis Burda et al, 1999, “Hot Springs” in Itezhi-Tezhi, Kafue National Park, Southern Province, 1526 m, Zambia. This species is monotypic. Distribution. S Zambia, recorded only at the type locality. Descriptive notes. Head-body 105-129 mm (males) and 96-115 mm (females), tail 14-3-19 mm (males) and 13-5-20 mm (females); weight 84-139 g (males) and 61-77 g (females). The Kafue Mole-rat is medium-sized, with dorsal pelage of dark gray to brown. Head has a prominent white spot. Chromosomal complement is 2n = b8, FN = 82. Habitat. Grassland and cultivated fields with average annual rainfall of 787 mm. Food and Feeding. The Kafue Mole-rat is herbivorous and probably eats corms of grasses, tubers, and geophytes. Breeding. There is no information available for this species. Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species. Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no specific information for this species, but the Kafue Mole-rat no doubt occupies burrow systems. Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Burda et al. (1999), Cotterill & Maree (2008)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 369, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, Russell A. Mittermeier (2016): Heterocephalidae. In: Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions: 351, ISBN: 978-84-941892-3-4, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6607099

16. Damara Mole-rat Fukomys damarensis French: Bathyergue de Damara / German: Damara-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Damara Other common names: Botswanan Mole-rat, Damara Mole Rat, Damaraland Blesmol Taxonomy. Bathyergus damarensis Ogilby, 1838, Damaraland, Namibia. This species is monotypic. Distribution. S Angola, S Zambia, E Namibia, most of Botswana, W Zimbabwe, and NW South Africa (Northern Cape). Descriptive notes. Head-body 169-9-178-7 mm (males) and 155-2-163 mm (females), tail 23-6-24-4 mm (males) and 21-5-22-5 mm (females); weight 119-8-210-2 g (males) and 113-6-169-4 g (females). The Damara Mole-rat is medium-sized, with short legs, cylindrical body, short tail, and vibrissae on tail and feet. Dorsal pelage is dark brown to black; large head has white head spot. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 74 or 78, FN = 92. Habitat. Open sandy soils in semiarid thornscrub, savanna, and grassland areas. Food and Feeding. The Damara Mole-rat is herbivorous and eats geophytes, tubers, and bulbs; it does not drink standing water. Breeding. Breeding of the Damara Mole-rat is aseasonal. Gestation is 78-92 days;litter size averages three young (range 1-6), with up to three litters per year. Sex ratio is skewed toward males. Activity patterns. The Damara Mole-rat burrows and digs with upper incisors. It is most active after rainfall and has a circadian rhythm. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Non-reproductive and unrelated Damara Mole-rats in a colony disperse. Home range averages 1-3 ha. Colonies of Damara Mole-rats are eusocial, with a single breeding female and 1-2 breeding males, overlapping generations, and non-reproductive individuals. Offspring are cared for cooperatively, and non-reproductive individuals forage, defend burrow systems, and care of young. Reproductive female suppresses ovulation of other females. There is widespread multiple paternity and unrelated immigrants in colony; colony size averages eleven individuals (range 2-14); and sex ratio is male-biased. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Barnett et al. (2003), Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Bennett & Jarvis (1988a, 2004), Bennett, Faulkes & Molteno (1996), Bennett, Jarvis, Millar et al. (1994), Burland et al. (2004), De Graaff (1972), Faulkes & Bennett (2001), Hazell et al. (2000), Lovegrove (1988), Lovegrove et al. (1993), Maree & Faulkes (2008b), Nevo et al. (1986), Roper et al. (2001)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 370, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

5. Common Mole-rat Cryptomys hottentotus French: Bathyergue hottentot / German: Hottentotten-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo comun Other common names: African Mole-rat, Common Blesmol, Hottentot Mole-rat, Southern African Mole-rat Taxonomy. Bathyergus hottentotus Lesson, 1826, near Paarl (east of Cape Town), Western Cape Province, South Africa. Taxonomy of C. hottentotus has changed based on recent molecular phylogenetic and chromosomal studies. As a result, the formerly considered subspecies amatus and whyte: are now recognized as distinct species of Fukomys. Four subspecies are recognized. Subspecies and Distribution. C.h.hottentotusLesson,1826—W&SSouthAfrica(Northern,Western,EasternCape,andFreeStateprovinces). C.h.natalensisRoberts,1913—SMozambiqueandESouthAfrica(MpumalangaandKwaZulu-Natal). C.h.nimrodideWinton,1897—SZimbabwe,extremeEBotswana,andextremeNSouthAfrica(NLimpopoProvince). C. h. pretoriae Roberts, 1913 — N South Africa (S Limpopo, E North West, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga provinces). Descriptive notes. Head-body 105-185 mm (males) and 100-164 (females), tail 8-27 mm (males) and 10-25 mm (females); weight 112-145 g (males, averaging 134 g) and 98-153 g (females, averaging 119 g). The Common Mole-rat is medium-sized. Dorsal pelage is dark gray to brown; head sometimes has white patch. Limbs and tail are short; feet and tail are fringed with vibrissae. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 54, FN = 106 for the nominate subspecies and FN = 104 for natalensus. Habitat. Mesic and semiarid regions with annual rainfall of 200-1000 mm. It occurs in a wide range of substrates from friable sandy loams to exfoliated schists and sandy, stony soils. It is apparently, unable to utilize heavy red clay soils or the hard soils associated with mopane (Colophospermum mopane, Fabaceae) woodland. Food and Feeding. The Common Mole-rat is herbivorous, and 92% of diet of the nominate subspecies hottentotus consists of geophytes. It stores food and apparently forages randomly; it does not drink standing water. Breeding. Breeding of the Common Mole-rat occurs in October—January for the nominate subspecies and April-December for pretoriae. Ovulation is induced by copulation; gestation is 59-66 days; and litter size averages three young (range 1-6). Colonies contain single breeding females, a subset of breeding males, and non-reproductive individuals. Breeding system is not totally monogamous because genetic evidence indicates that offspring are not always from a single breeding pair. Activity patterns. The Common Mole-rat follows the circadian rhythm. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Dispersal of Common Mole-rats occurs in the wet season, with rate of dispersal constrained by aridity and access to food. Burrow networks are 150-510 m long, and home range averages 0-16 ha. Colonies contain members of a family group and immigrants. Colony sizes are 2-14 individuals for the nominate subspecies, up to ten individuals for pretoriae, and 8-15 individuals for nimrodi. Nevertheless, the Common Mole-rat is less social than species of Fukomys. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Bennett (1989, 2013b), Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Bennett, Cotterill & Spinks (1996), Bishop, Jarvis et al. (2004), Bishop, O'Ryan & Jarvis (2007), Davies & Jarvis (1986), Hart et al. (2004), Jackson & Bennett (2005), Malherbe et al. (2003), Maree & Faulkes (2008a), Meester et al. (1986), Monadjem et al. (2015), Moolman et al. (1998), Nevo et al. (1986), Oosthuizen et al. (2008), van Rensburg et al. (2002), Robb et al. (2012), Spinks (1998), Spinks, Bennett & Jarvis (2000), Spinks, Branch et al. (1999), Spinks, Jarvis & Bennett (2000), Spinks, Van der Horst & Bennett (1997), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 368, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

8. Ochre Mole-rat Fukomys ochraceocinereus French: Bathyergue ocre / German: Zentralafrika-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo ocre Other common names: Central African Mole-rat, Ochre Mole Rat Taxonomy. Georychus ochraceo-cinereus Heuglin, 1864, Upper Bahr-el-Ghazal, Sudan. This species is monotypic. Distribution. Central African Republic, N DR Congo, South Sudan, and NW Uganda; presence in E Cameroon and NW Kenya is possible. Descriptive notes. Head-body 157-200 mm, tail 14-27 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Ochre Mole-rat is medium-sized. Its dorsal and ventral pelage is brown; head has white patch, with lightly colored areas around eyes. Vibrissae occur on feet and tail. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 44, FN = 76. Habitat. Woodland savanna and agricultural land. Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species. Breeding. There is no information available for this species. Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species. Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Although the Ochre Mole-rat is widespread, populations appear to be very localized, and given the lack of basic ecological and demographic insight, its conservation status is largely unknown. It probably occurs in protected areas such as Garamba National Park in north-eastern DR Congo. Bibliography. Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Maree & Faulkes (2008e), Monadjem et al. (2015), Rosevear (1969), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on pages 368-369, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, Russell A. Mittermeier (2016): Bathyergidae. In: Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions: 352-370, ISBN: 978-84-941892-3-4, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6584692

9. Bocage’s Mole-rat Fukomys bocagei French: Bathyergue de Bocage / German: Bocage-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Bocage Other common names: Angolan Mole-rat, Bocage's Mole Rat Taxonomy. Georychus bocager de Winton, 1897, Hanha, western Angola. This species is monotypic. Distribution. C & S Angola and N Namibia (Ovamboland); no confirmed records, but it may be present in extreme S DR Congo, and W Zambia. Descriptive notes. Head-body 141-166 mm (males) and 150-165 mm (females), tail 7-12 mm (males) and 6-15 mm (females). No specific data are available for body weight. Bocage’s Mole-rat is medium-sized, with gray to cinnamon dorsal pelage; white head spot variesin size. Limbs are short, feet are pink, tail is short, and vibrissae occur on tail and feet. Chromosomal complementis 2n = 58, FN = 98. Habitat. Mesic areas with mean minimum annual rainfall of 819-8-860-4 mm. Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species. Breeding. There is no information available for this species. Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species. Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Faulkes, Bennett et al. (1997), Faulkes, Maree & Griffin (2008), Van Daele et al. (2004)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 369, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

10. Zambian Mole-rat Fukomys amatus French: Bathyergue de Zambie / German: Sambia-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Zambia Taxonomy. Georychus amatus Wroughton, 1907, “Road to Chiwali’s, Alala Plateau.. Alt. 4000 [feet],” Zambia. Previously, F. amatus was placed as a subspecies of Cryptomys hottentotus. Nevertheless, current molecular and chromosomal data placeit as a distinct species in the genus Fukomys. Monotypic. Distribution. C Zambia and SE DR Congo. Descriptive notes. Head-body 105 mm (type specimen), tail 10 mm (type); weight 73-2 g (52-71 g). The Zambian Mole-rat is dark gray to brown; white areas sometimes occur on ventral side and head. It has a cylindrical body and short legs and tail. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 50, FN = 92 or 96. Habitat. Mesic areas with mean minimum annual rainfall of 889-6 mm. Food and Feeding. The Zambian Mole-rat is herbivorous. Breeding. Breeding of the Zambian Mole-rat is aseasonal. Gestation is 90-100 days, and littersize is two young (range 1-2). Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species. Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Zambian Mole-rat is colonial, with maximum colony size often. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (under Cryptomys hottentotus). Conservation status of the Zambian Mole-rat is largely unknown because of lack of data on population status and ecology. Bibliography. Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Faulkes, Bennett et al. (1997), Macholén et al. (1998)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 369, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

3. Cape Dune Mole-rat Bathyergus suillus French: Bathyergue des dunes / German: Kap-Strandgraber / Spanish: Rata topo de dunas de El Cabo Other common names: Cape Dune Blesmol, Cape Dune Mole Rat, Large Cape Dune Mole-rat Taxonomy. Mus suillus Schreber, 1782, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. This species is monotypic. Distribution. Endemic to S South Africa, Western Cape Province from Knysna to Lamberts Bay. Descriptive notes. Head-body 267-9-353-7 mm (males) and 279-9-329-9 mm (females); tail 30-7-41-9 mm (males) and 29-3-38-3 mm (females); weight 0-57.1-3 kg (males) and 0-58.0-96 kg (females). Some male Cape Dune Mole-rats reach 2 kg. Largest species of mole-rat characterized by thick cinnamon-brown dorsal pelage, with hairs darker at bases and brown at tips; ventral surface is grayish; and whitish hairs are near eyes and nose. Cape Dune Mole-rats have cylinder-shaped bodies, with short limbs, pinkish feet, and long claws on forefeet. Tail is short and contains bristle-like hairs, similar to those seen on feet, with facial bristles being considerably larger. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 56, FN = 102. Habitat. Sandy soils in mesic savannas and grasslands. Food and Feeding. The Cape Dune Mole-rat is herbivorous, and its diet contains c.80% grass, geophytes, and aboveand below-ground plants; it does not drink standing water. Breeding. Breeding of the Cape Dune Mole-rat occurs during rainy season in July—October; courtship involves foot drumming. Gestation is 50-60 days, litter size averages 3-3 young (range 1-6), and genetic evidence suggests multiple paternity. Cape Dune Mole-rats are territorial and aggressive toward each other. Activity patterns. Cape Dune Mole-rats dig with large claws on their forefeet. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Breeding patterns of Cape Dune Mole-rats suggest aboveground movements; burrows are 50-420 m; home range averages 0-27 ha (range 0-14-0-35 ha). They are solitary and territorial. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Bennett & Jarvis (1995), Bennett et al. (2009), Bray, Bloomer et al. (2012), Bray, van Rensburg & Bennett (2013), Davies & Jarvis (1986), Hart et al. (2006), Maree, Faulkes & Griffin (2008b), Nevo et al. (1986), Skinner & Chimimba (2005), Thomas et al. (2009)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 367, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

6. Ghana Mole-rat Fukomys zechi French: Bathyergue de Zech / German: Togo-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Ghana Other common names: Ghana Mole Rat, Togo Mole-rat, Togo Mole Rat Taxonomy. Georhychus [sic] zechi Matschie, 1900, near Kete-Kradji, Togo. This species is monotypic. Distribution. EC Ghana and N Togo (between Oti and Volta rivers). Descriptive notes. Head-body 120-226 mm, tail 15 mm; weight 51-283 g. The Ghana Mole-rat is medium-sized, with cinnamon pelage and white patches on some individuals. Habitat. Silty loam soils in agricultural areas. Food and Feeding. The Ghana Mole-rat eats bulbs, tubers, and agricultural crops such as cassava and yams. Breeding. There is no information available for this species. Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Ghana Mole-rats occur at low densities. They are colonial; average colonysize is 3-6 individuals (range 1-7). Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Despite classification of the Ghana Mole-rat as Least Concern, there is very little demographic and ecological information to assess its conservation status. Given its endemic nature and current distribution of available habitat, long-term survival of the Ghana Mole-rat may be in jeopardy. Bibliography. Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Maree, Faulkes & Schlitter (2008), Monadjem et al. (2015), Rosevear (1969), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005), Yeboah & Akyeampong (2001), Yeboah & Dakwa (2002)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 368, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

13. Mechow’s Mole-rat Fukomys mechowii French: Bathyergue de Mechow / German: Riesengraumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Mechow Other common names: Angolan Giant Mole-rat, Giant Mole-rat, Mechow’s Mole Rat Taxonomy. Georychus mechowii Peters, 1881, Malange, Angola. This species is monotypic. Distribution. S & E DR Congo, E Angola, and N Zambia; recorded from N Malawi (Rumphi) and SW Tanzania (Ufipa), but identification of both records has not been fully confirmed. Descriptive notes. Head-body 156-262 mm (males) and 135-205 mm (females), tail 23-31 mm (males) and 23-33-7 mm (females); weight 250-440 g (males) and 218-286 g (females). Mechow’s Mole-rat is the largest species of Fukomys. Its pelage is ocher dorsally and paler ventrally; it does not have a head patch. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 40, FN = 78 or 80. Habitat. Generalist in terms of soils in agriculturalfields, forests, and brushlands with average annual rainfall of 1200 mm. Food and Feeding. Mechow’s Mole-rat eats bulbs, tubers, grass roots, geophytes, and cultivated crops such as cassava and potatoes. Breeding. Breeding of Mechow’s Mole-rat is aseasonal. Gestation is 97-111 days, and litter size averages two young (range 1-3). Activity patterns. Activity of Mechow’s Mole-rat is correlated with temperature; excavation of burrow is performed by non-reproductive individuals. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Home range of Mechow’s Mole-rat averages 0-26 ha. Burrow systems cover 2-3 ha and contain nest chambers, food stores, and latrines. Mechow’s Mole-rats are social and live in colonies 3-20 individuals. They are monogamous, with more than one generation in a colony; breeding pairs appear to be unrelated. Litter sizes are 2—4 young. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Experienced hunters can harvest 600-800 Mechow’s Mole-rats/year, which could affect conservation in certain areas. Bibliography. Bednéarova et al. (2013), Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Burda & Kawalika (1993), Lévy et al. (2013), Macholan et al. (1993), Maree & Faulkes (2008d), Scharff, LockerGritjen et al. (2001), Sichilima et al. (2008), Sumbera et al. (2012), Van Daele et al. (2004), Wallace & Bennett (1998), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on pages 369-370, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, Russell A. Mittermeier (2016): Heterocephalidae. In: Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions: 351, ISBN: 978-84-941892-3-4, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6607099

15. Whyte’s Mole-rat Fukomys whytei French: Bathyergue de Whyte / German: Malawi-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Whyte Other common names: Malawian Mole-rat Taxonomy. Georychus whyte: Thomas, 1897, Karonga, Lake Nynsa, Nyasaland (= Malawi). Although FE whytei was placed as a subspecies in Cryptomys hottentotus, recent molecular, morphological, and chromosomal data place it as a distinct species of Fukomys. Monotypic. Distribution. N Malawi, but it may also occur in NE Zambia and SE Tanzania. Descriptive notes. Head-body 129-9-156-6 mm (males) and 140-1-146-9 mm (females), tail 15-6-19-8 mm (males) and 15-9-18-5 mm (females); weight 110-4-155-9 g (males) and 110-8-132-2 g (females). Whyte’s Mole-rat is medium-sized. It is gray-buff and does not have a distinct head spot. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 46, FN = 76. Habitat. Hard soils in woodlands at elevations of 500-1760 m with average annual rainfall of 1227 mm. Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species. Breeding. There is no information available for this species. Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species. Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (under Cryptomys hottentotus). Data are deficient for an accurate determination of the conservation status of Whyte’s Mole-rat. Bibliography. Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Burda et al. (2005), Lange & Burda (2005), Lévy et al. (2012), Monadjem et al. (2015)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 370, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

4. Cape Mole-rat Georychus capensis French: Bathyergue du Cap / German: Kap-Blessmull / Spanish: Rata topo de El Cabo Other common names: Cape Blesmol, Cape Mole Rat Taxonomy. Mus capensis Pallas, 1779, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. This species is monotypic. Distribution. South Africa, Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces and isolated populations in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces. Descriptive notes. Head-body 85-231-6 mm (males) and 131:2-181-2 mm (females), tail 18:-1-23-1 mm (males) and 17-3-23-7 mm (females); weight 108-5- 255-1 g (males) and 87.7-272-3 g (females). The Cape Mole-rat is mediumto largesized; pelage is thick, russet to brown dorsally and significantly lighter ventrally. Head and areas below eyes are dark brown; white patches surround ear openings and eyes; nose is pink, with white surrounding anterior part of head. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 54, FN = 104. Habitat. Sandyto clay soils in mesic coastal regions with fynbos shrublands, forests, and savannas of mesic coastal regions. Food and Feeding. The Cape Mole-rat is herbivorous and eats green plants, grasses, clover, and geophytes;it does not drink standing water. Breeding. Breeding of the Cape Mole-rat occurs in August-December. Gestation is 44-48 days, andlitter size averages six young (range 3-10). Activity patterns. The Cape Mole-rat burrows with its teeth; it can be seen aboveground. Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Cape Mole-rat disperses aboveground;it is solitary and territorial. It communicates with seismic signaling by foot drumming. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Bennett & Jarvis (1988b), Bennett et al. (2006), Bronner (1990), Du Toit et al. (1985), Lovegrove & Papenfus (1995), Maree & Faulkes (2008f), Narins et al. (1992), Nevo et al. (1986), Robb et al. (2012), Roper et al. (2001)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on pages 367-368, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

1. Silvery Mole-rat Heliophobius argenteocinereus French: Bathyergue argenté / German: Silbermull / Spanish: Rata topo plateada Other common names: Silky Mole-rat, Silvery Mole Rat Taxonomy. Heliophobius argenteocinereus Peters, 1846, Tete (on the Zambezi River), Mozambique. Based on the phylogeographic study by C. G. Faulkes and colleagues in 2011, it is very likely that the genus Heliophobius is represented by more than one species. Five subspecies recognized. Subspecies and Distribution. H.a.argenteocinereusPeters,1846—Mozambique,NofZambeziRiver. H.a.eminiNoack,1894—mostofTanzania. H.a.marungensisNoack,1887—SEDRCongo,EZambia,andMalawi. H.a.kapitiHeller,1909—SKenya. H. a. spalax Thomas, 1910 — NE Tanzania (Kilimanjaro and Eastern Arc Mts: Usambara, Uluguru, and Ukaguru). Descriptive notes. Head-body 131-195 mm (males) and 131-191 mm (females), tail 6-16 mm (males) and 8-17 mm (females); weight 63-331 g (males) and 51-271 g (females). According to A. Scharff and colleagues in 2001, average size of the Silvery Mole-rat is larger in Malawi (mean 160 g, 142-168 g) than Zambia (mean 146 g, 118-170 g). It is mediumto large-sized; dorsal pelage is gray to sandy brown; and ventral pelage being lighter. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 60 or 62, FN = 144. Habitat. Compact sandy soils in grasslands with annual rainfall more than 900 mm. Food and Feeding. The Silvery Mole-rat is herbivorous generalist and eats bulbs, geophytes, green leaves, and tubers. Breeding. Breeding of the Silvery Mole-rat occurs in May-June. Gestation exceeds 87 days, and litter size averages 3-2 young. Activity patterns. The Silvery Mole-rat burrows. Genetic studies suggest that it can disperse aboveground. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Density of the Silvery Mole-rat is c.5 ind/ha; home range averages 157 m?. It is solitary and territorial, but genetic studies reveal multiple paternity. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Faulkes et al. (2011), George (1979), Knotkova et al. (2009), Maree & Faulkes (2008g), Monadjem et al. (2015), Patzenhauerova et al. (2010), Scharff, Macholan et al. (2001), Skliba et al. (2007, 2009), Sumbera, Burda & Chitaukali (2003), Sumbera, Chitaukali & Burda (2007), Sumbera, Chitaukali, Elichova et al. (2004), Sumbera, Skliba et al. (2008), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 367, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

17. Mashona Mole-rat Fukomys darlingi French: Bathyergue de Darling / German: Mashona-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Mashona Other common names: Darling's Mole-rat Taxonomy. Georychus darling Thomas, 1895, “Salisbury [= Harare], 5000 feet [1524 m],” Zimbabwe. This species is monotypic. Distribution. N & E Zimbabwe and C Mozambique. Descriptive notes. Head-body 125-165 mm (males) and 135-150 (females); tail 8-13 mm (males) and 10 mm (females); weight 60-80 g (males) and 54-92 g (females). The Mashona Mole-rat is medium-sized, with white head patch and brown to black dorsal pelage. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 54, FN = 80. Habitat. Mesic cultivated areas with high and predictable annual rainfall (¢.700 mm). Food and Feeding. The Mashona Mole-rat is herbivorous and eats geophytes and tubers. Breeding. Breeding of the Mashona Mole-rat is aseasonal. Gestation is 56-61 days; litter size averages 1-7 young (range. 1-3), with three litters per year. Colonies have a single breeding pair, with remainder of colony non-reproductive; reproductive female suppresses breeding of other females. Activity patterns. The Mashona Mole-rats can distinguish between light and dark and has a circadian rhythm. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Mashona Mole-rats are social and live in colonies of 5-9 individuals; sexual ratio is skewed toward males. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Aguilar (1993), Bennett (2013a), Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Bennett, Jarvis & Cotterill (1994), Gabathuler et al. (1996), Greeff & Bennett (2000), Maree, Faulkes & Cotterill (2008), Monadjem et al. (2015), Vasicek et al. (2005), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 370, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

14. Caroline’s Mole-rat Fukomys vandewoestijneae French: Bathyergue de Caroline / German: Katanga-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Caroline Taxonomy. Fukomys vandewoestiineae Van Daele et al., 2013, Sabitonto River (10° 59’ 30-5” S, 24° 10° 09-3” E), 1308 m, Katanga Province, DR Congo. F. vandewoestijneae is most similar to F. mechowii and F bocagei, but they can be distinguished based on cranial and dental measurements, characteristics of chromosomes, and nucleotide sequence data from mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene. Monotypic. Distribution. Restricted to the border between NW Zambia and S DR Congo, but it probably also occurs in nearby areas in E Angola. Descriptive notes. Head-body 87-150 mm, tail 14-21 mm; weight 64-134 g. Measurements are from the holotype and paratypes. Caroline’s Mole-rat is mediumsized, with completely brown pelage tending toward grayish brown on ventral side; tail is short; feet and nose are pinkish; mouth has protruding incisors; and white head mark is missing or faint in most individuals. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 44, FN = 76. Habitat. Grassland, woodland, and agriculturalfields with high rainfall. Food and Feeding. Caroline’s Mole-rat is herbivorous and eats underground plant material such as tubers and geophytes. Breeding. There is no information available for this species. Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Caroline’s Mole-rat is colonial and lives in burrow systems; burrow size is limited in some areas. Status and Conservation. The Caroline’s Mole-rat has not been assessed on The [UCN Red List because it was described recently. Data are deficient for an accurate determination of its conservation status; however, the region where it occurs has high species diversity and endemism. Probably one of the greatest conservation threats to Caroline’s Mole-rat comes from humans, who harvest it for food and modify its habitat for agriculture. Bibliography. Van Daele, Blondé et al. (2013), Van Daele, Verheyen et al. (2007)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 370, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

Naked Mole-rat Heterocephalus glaber French: Hétérocéphale / German: Nacktmull / Spanish: Rata topo lampina Other common names: Desert Mole Rat, Sand Puppy Taxonomy. Heterocephalus glaber Ruppell, 1842, “Abyssinien und Schoa” (= Ethiopia and [central province of] Shewa). The generic synonym, Fornarina, named by O. Thomas in 1903, was never widely used, and no subspecies are recognized. Heterocephalus glaber is known to vary geographically in genetics, morphology, and chromosomes; Ethiopian and Kenyan populations differ in cytochrome-b sequences, reaching a threshold often shown by distinct species. No integrative revision of the species has been possible because of the need for additional sampling and political strife in much ofits distribution. Monotypic. Distribution. Djibouti, E & S Ethiopia, Somalia, and N & E Kenya. Descriptive notes. Head-body 70-110 mm, tail 30-50 mm; weight 15-70 g (mostly 30-35 g). The Naked Mole-rat has pinkish naked skin, studded only by sensory vibrissae. Its strongly protruding incisors are unmistakable. Eyes are tiny, and ear pinnae are minute. Tail is longer than hindfoot. Limbs are short and slender, and third digit of manus is markedly longer than digit four. Cranially,jugal bone is reduced and supported anteriorly by zygomatic portion of maxillary, palate is not excessively constricted between cheekteeth and does not extend behind molars, andjaws bear only 2-3 upper and lower cheekteeth. Habitat. Subterranean arid bushland and thicket and semi-desert biomes with low and irregular rainfall (averaging 200-400 mm annually). Naked Mole-rats occupy habitats at elevations of 300-1500 m. They are the only subterranean rodent within their distribution. Food and Feeding. The Naked Mole-rat feeds on bulbs, roots, and tubers in closed, underground burrow systems. These foods supply all of its needed water. Breeding. The Naked Mole-rat is eusocial and lives in colonies averaging 40-80 individuals. Reproduction is typically limited to a single reproductive female (“queen”) and 1-2 breeding males; remaining colony members are reproductively suppressed by agonistic encounters with breeders. Gestation is 66-74 days, with litters of 1-28 young. Dominant females have litters every 76-84 days and,in the wild, regularly produce 4-5 litters/year and 50 or more young. Activity patterns. Naked Mole-rats are active around the clock, and activity periods are punctuated by resting bouts, often en masse. Most active digging follows rains that reduce soil hardness and thus energetic costs involved in expanding the burrow system. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Naked Mole-rats are highly social. Within a colony, there is a size-based dominance hierarchy, with larger individuals gaining preferential access to contested resources through shoving matches. Colonies range throughout a burrow system, which may be 0-5-3 km in length. They are strictly territorial and gradually shift from maintenance activities to digging, foraging, and burrow defense over the course of theirlives. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Naked Mole-rat is widely distributed, relative common, and lacks immediate threats. Nevertheless, its inbred breeding system and infrequent dispersals raise concerns about their ability to respond to changing land-use patterns or climate. Bibliography. Bennet & Faulkes (2000), Brett (1991b), Bugge (1974, 1985), Cox & Faulkes (2014), De Graaff (1975), Ellerman (1940), Fang Xiaodong etal. (2014), Faulkes & Bennett (2007), Faulkes, Abbott & Mellor (1990), Faulkes, Abbott, O'Brien et al. (1997), Honeycutt et al. (1991), Ingram et al. (2014), Jarvis & Sherman (2002), Judd & Sherman (1996), Kim Eun-Bae etal. (2011), Kotzé, Van der Merwe, Bennett & O’Riain (2010), Kotzé, Van der Merwe, Ndou et al. (2009), Landry (1957a, 1999), Lavocat (1974), Lavocat & Parent (1985), Luckett (1985), O'Riain & Jarvis (1997), Prochel et al. (2014), Smith et al. (2012), Thomas (1903c), Tian Xiao et al. (2013), Wood (1985), Woods (1975, 1984), Yosida & Okanoya (2009)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Heterocephalidae, pp. 351 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 351, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6607099

Family BATHYERGIDAE (AFRICAN MOLE-RATS) • Cylindrically bodied rodents, with short legs and tails; stiff hairs on feet, faces, and tails; reduced eyes; lack of exter nal ear pinnae, blunt heads, and well-developed incisors with small buccal openings protected by flaps ofskin. • 10-30 cm. • Afrotropical Region. • Subterranean in open forests to savannas and semi-deserts under mesic to xeric conditions. • 5 genera, 17 species, 24 taxa. • | species Vulnerable; none Extinct since 1600., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 352, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

2. Namaqua Dune Mole-rat Bathyergus janetta French: Bathyergue namaquois / German: Namaqua-Strandgraber / Spanish: Rata topo de dunas de Namaqua Other common names: Namaqgua Dune Mole Rat, Namaguan Dune Blesmol, Small Dune Mole-rat Taxonomy. Bathyergus janetta Thomas & Schwann, 1904, Port Nolloth, coastal Little Namaqualand, north-western Cape Province, South Africa. This species is monotypic. Distribution. S Namibia and W South Africa (W Northern Cape). Descriptive notes. Head-body 170-235 mm (males) and 170-205 mm (females), tail 41-52 mm (males) and 40-50 mm (females); weight 242-710 ¢g (males) and 195-540 g (females). The Namaqua Dune Mole-rat is smaller than the Cape Dune Mole-rat (B. suillus) and considerably more colorful; dorsal pelage ranges from gray to silvery gray, with a blackish strip leading from head region to rump; ventral surface of pelage is more silvery gray. The Namaqua Dune Mole-rat has short, bushy tail; hairs around eyes and ear pinna are light; and feet are pinkish with short bristles. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 54, FN = 104. Habitat. Sandy soils near highly arid, coastal dunes. Food and Feeding. The Namaqua Dune Mole-rat is herbivorous and eats geophytes and bulbs; it does not drink standing water. Breeding. Breeding of the Namaqua Dune Mole-rat occurs during rainy period in July-September. Litter sizes are 1-7 young, and gestation is a minimum of 52 days. Activity patterns. Burrowing activity of Namaqua Dune Mole-rats is greatest during rainy periods; they excavate burrows with claws. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Average lengths of burrows are 71:2-165 m, and home ranges are 430-3—-1181-3 m? The Namaqua Dune Mole-rat is solitary and territorial with individuals occupying different burrow systems. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Bennett et al. (1991), Herbst & Bennett (2006), Herbst et al. (2004), Jarvis (2013), Jarvis & Bennett (1991), Maree, Faulkes & Griffin (2008a), Nevo et al. (1986), Skinner & Chimimba (2005), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 367, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, Russell A. Mittermeier (2016): Bathyergidae. In: Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions: 352-370, ISBN: 978-84-941892-3-4, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6584692

11. Ansell’s Mole-rat Fukomys anselli French: Bathyergue d/Ansell / German: Ansell-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Ansell Taxonomy. Cryptomys anselli Burda et al., 1999, “Court of the Chainama Hills Golf Club in the north-eastern part of Lusaka, Zambia.” This species is monotypic. Distribution. C Zambia, only near University of Lusaka (Ngwerere, Mungule, and Chinunyu). Descriptive notes. Head-body 109-135 mm (males) and 108-132 mm (females), tail 15-6-21-7 mm (males) and 13-9-22-9 mm (females); weight 80-126 g (males) and 65-102 g (females). Ansell’s Mole-rat is medium-sized;it has a cylindrical body and short legs and tail, with vibrissae on tail and feet. Dorsal pelage is dark gray to black, with white spot on head of variable size. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 68, FN = 79-82. Habitat. Sandy to clay soils in cultivated fields, gardens, and savanna—brushland. Food and Feeding. Ansell’s Mole-rat is herbivorous and eats bulbous roots, geophytes, and crops such as cassava; it does not drink standing water. Breeding. Breeding of Ansell’s Mole-rat is aseasonal. It is a cooperative breeder, with single breeding female and small number of males; breeders are the largest individuals in a colony. Litter size averages 2-7 young (range 1-4). Activity patterns. Ansell’s Mole-rats dig with their teeth and burrow more actively after rain. They show evidence of circadian rhythm. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Lengths of burrow tunnels of Ansell’s Mole-rats are 500-2800 m, and homes ranges are 1917-19,103 m*. Colonies of 6-16 individuals contain small numbers of reproductive and non-reproductive molerats. Odors are used to distinguish kin from non-kin. Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. Ansell’s Mole-rats are harvested by humans and considered an agricultural pest. Bibliography. Amori & Cox (2008), Burda et al. (1999), De Vries et al. (2008), Heth et al. (2004), Monadjem et al. (2015), Sichilima etal. (2011), Skliba et al. (2012)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 369, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

7. Nigerian Mole-rat Fukomys foxi French: Bathyergue du Nigeria / German: Nigeria-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Nigeria Other common names: Fox's Mole-rat, Nigerian Mole Rat Taxonomy. Georychus fox: Thomas, 1911, Panyam, Jos Plateau, 4000’ [1212 m], Nigeria. This species is monotypic. Distribution. N Nigeria (Jos Plateau) and C Cameroon (Ngaoundéré). Descriptive notes. Head-body 161-191 mm (males) and 162-191 mm (females), tail 16-23 mm (males) and 17-25 mm (females). No specific data are available for body weight. The Nigerian Mole-rat is medium-sized, with white markings on its body and a head patch; its pelage is brown,soft, and fine. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 66 or 70, FN = 126 or 134. Habitat. There is no information available for this species. Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species. Breeding. There is no information available for this species. Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species. Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species. Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red Lust. Bibliography. Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Maree & Faulkes (2008c), Rosevear (1969), Williams et al. (1983), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Bathyergidae, pp. 352-370 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 368, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6584692

Although Togo is a relatively small country in West Africa, it is characterized by a wide variation of vegetation zones ranging from moist forests to arid savannahs, including the “Dahomey Gap”. There has been no comprehensive documentation of the native mammal fauna of Togo since 1893. Our review of the extant and extirpated mammals ofT ogo includes 178 species, with Chiroptera (52 species) and Rodentia (47 species) being the most speciose groups. This number does not include additional species recorded along the borders ofT ogo, and whose presence inside the country is not verified. Seven species of mammals are presumably extinct in the country but we confirmed that two species of large ungulates, reputed to be extinct, survive in remote forest habitats. Ecological Zone IV, sustaining the moist forest areas, and Ecological Zone I, inclusive of all the relatively undisturbed dry savannahs of the extreme North of the country are the most important regions for mammal diversity and conservation.

In mammalian peripheral nerves, unmyelinated C-fibers usually outnumber myelinated A-fibers. By using transmission electron microscopy, we recently showed that the saphenous nerve of the naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) has a C-fiber deficit manifested as a substantially lower C:A-fiber ratio compared with other mammals. Here we determined the uniqueness of this C-fiber deficit by performing a quantitative anatomical analysis of several peripheral nerves in five further members of the Bathyergidae mole-rat family: silvery (Heliophobius argenteocinereus), giant (Fukomys mechowii), Damaraland (Fukomys damarensis), Mashona (Fukomys darlingi), and Natal (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) mole-rats. In the largely cutaneous saphenous and sural nerves, the naked mole-rat had the lowest C:A-fiber ratio (∼1.5:1 compared with ∼3:1), whereas, in nerves innervating both skin and muscle (common peroneal and tibial) or just muscle (lateral/medial gastrocnemius), this pattern was mostly absent. We asked whether lack of hair follicles alone accounts for the C-fiber paucity by using as a model a mouse that loses virtually all its hair as a consequence of conditional deletion of the β-catenin gene in the skin. These β-catenin loss-of function mice (β-cat LOF mice) displayed only a mild decrease in C:A-fiber ratio compared with wild-type mice (4.42 compared with 3.81). We suggest that the selective cutaneous C-fiber deficit in the cutaneous nerves of naked mole-rats is unlikely to be due primarily to lack of skin hair follicles. Possible mechanisms contributing to this unique peripheral nerve anatomy are discussed. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2785–2803, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In social mole-rats, breeding females are larger and more elongated than nonbreeding female helpers. The status-related morphological divergence is thought to arise from modifications of skeletal growth following the death or removal of the previous breeder and the transition of their successors from a nonbreeding to a breeding role. However, it is not clear what changes in growth are involved, whether they are stimulated by the relaxation of reproductive suppression or by changes in breeding status, or whether they are associated with fecundity increases. Here, we show that, in captive Damaraland mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis) where breeding was experimentally controlled in age-matched siblings, individuals changed in size and shape through a lengthening of the lumbar vertebrae when they began breeding. This skeletal remodelling results from changes in breeding status since i) females removed from a group setting and placed solitarily showed no increases in growth, and ii) females dispersing from natural groups that have not yet bred do not differ in size and shape from helpers in established groups. Growth patterns consequently resemble other social vertebrates where contrasts in size and shape follow acquisition of the breeding role. Our results also suggest that the increases in female body size provide fecundity benefits. Similar forms of socially responsive growth might be more prevalent in vertebrates than is currently recognised, but the extent to which this is the case, and the implications for the structuring of mammalian dominance hierarchies, is as yet poorly understood., The Kalahari Mole-rat Project is supported by a European Research Council Grant awarded to TCB (#294494); JT was funded by a Natural Environment Research Council Doctoral Training Program; Parts of the fieldwork were funded by a British Ecological Society Grant awarded to Markus Zöttl (#5301/6343).

Bathyergus suillus (Schreber, 1782) is a bathyergid commonly known as the Cape dune mole-rat. A solitary-dwelling and sexually dimorphic species, it is the largest in body size of the African mole-rats, and 1 of 2 species within the genus. It is endemic to sandy soils of the southeastern and northwestern coastal regions of South Africa and the southwestern coast of Namibia. It is currently not of special conservation concern.

Daily patterns of activity were studied under laboratory conditions in 12 coruros, Spalacopus cyanus, subterranean social rodents originally from Chile. When able to burrow, coruros spent 90% of the total time underground, and surface activity occurred during the 1st hours of darkness. When prevented from burrowing, locomotory activity of coruro groups peaked near the onset of darkness but also occurred during episodes of light. Individually housed coruros displayed a clear nocturnal activity pattern. Coruros exhibited endogenous circadian rhythms entrained by a light–dark cycle.

Previous studies of African mole-rats of the generaHeliophobiusandFukomys(Bathyergidae) in the regions of East and south central Africa have revealed a diversity of species and vicariant populations, with patterns of distribution having been influenced by the geological process of rifting and changing patterns of drainage of major river systems. This has resulted in most of the extant members of the genusFukomysbeing distributed west of the main Rift Valley. However, a small number of isolated populations are known to occur east of the African Rift Valley in Tanzania, whereHeliophobiusis the most common bathyergid rodent. We conducted morphological, craniometric and phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences of two allopatric populations of Tanzanian mole-rats (genusFukomys) at Ujiji and around Mount Hanang, in comparison with both geographically adjacent and more distant populations ofFukomys. Our results reveal two distinct evolutionary lineages, forming clades that constitute previously unnamed species. Here, we formally describe and designate these new speciesF. livingstoniandF. hanangensisrespectively. Molecular clock-based estimates of divergence times, together with maximum likelihood inference of biogeographic range evolution, offers strong support for the hypothesis that vicariance in the Western Rift Valley and the drainage patterns of major river systems has subdivided populations of mole-rats. More recent climatic changes and tectonic activity in the “Mbeya triple junction” and Rungwe volcanic province between Lakes Rukwa and Nyasa have played a role in further isolation of these extra-limital populations ofFukomysin Tanzania.

Fukomys ilariae sp. nov. Somali striped mole-rat Etymology. The species is dedicated to Miss Ilaria Alpi, an Italian journalist, who together with her cameraman Miran Hovratin, was assassinated in Mogadishu in 1994, while investigating trade in toxic cargoes between Italy and Somalia. Type material. Holotype. Mounted skin (MCZR 7016), 11.8 cm head and body length. No distinctive tail is apparent, but a very short peduncle seems to represent a vestigial tail, as reported for Heliophobius Peters, 1846 (De Graaf, 1981). Left side of the specimen is severely faded because of exposure to sunlight. Type locality. The precise collecting locality of the type specimen is unknown because the label (Fig. 1) indicates only Somalia. However, Somali specimens received by the museum were donations from the first Italian residents (military personnel and physicians) living in or near Mogadishu, and no Italian expedition to East Africa (including Eritrea, an older colony) is known to have deposited specimens to the Rome Museum. All the historical data in our possession, including the few catalogues published at the time that included Somali specimens (Lepri, 1911; Masi, 1912) suggest that the mole-rat originated from the Lower Shebelle region in central-southern Somalia, practically the only region of Somalia occupied by Italians until the 1920 s. The climate there is semi-arid, with a mean yearly rainfall of around 500 mm (480 mm: Mogadishu; 530 mm: Afgoye). An open shrub vegetation type —locally known as ‘boscaglia’— grows on the big Somali dunes, which are 20–30 km wide and extend parallel to the coast (Pignatti & Warfa, 1983). Diagnosis. The description of the pelage coloration is based mainly on the right (unfaded) side of the specimen. Head shows a broad whitish midline that extends over the dorsal area, except on a small region over the neck (Fig. 1). The whitish midline divides along the posterior dorsal area, forming a ‘swift tail’ 49.5 mm long. Rest of the body, including ventral area (Fig. 1) and limbs, is Sienna hearth / burnt Sienna. No white patch is evident ventrally. Hairs are longer dorsally: c. 10 mm along the neck, 7.5 mm over the legs. The specimen shows reduced eyes covered with hairs. The absence of vibrissae on the head is probably caused by poor preservation of the skin. Comparison with other bathyergid species and taxonomic assignment. In general, the skin is sparsely haired —instead of appearing velvety as in most Fukomys— as in some bathyergid species that are adapted to xeric habitats (De Graaf, 1981). Digits show five concave nails (Fig. 2). Hindlimb nails differ from those of other members of the genus Fukomys that show elongated and horizontally flattened ‘finger-nails’ (Kingdon, 1974; pers. obs.). Anterior limbs appear more robust. The specimen belongs without doubt to a subterranean-adapted lineage. The shape of the nails excludes its belonging to the Chrysochloridae (Kingdon, 1996). Absence of pinnae and the habitat spectrum of the assumed capture site also led us to dismiss the genus Tachyoryctes (Spalacidae), a mountain specialist (Kingdon, 1996), although the latter genus is known to occur on the mountains of northern Somalia (Funaioli, 1971; Agnelli et al., 1990). Absence of any trace of pinnae suggests that the specimen belongs to the family Bathyergidae (in accordance with the specimen label). It should be noted that at the time of its first taxonomic assignment, the skull was probably present. Owing to the absence of adaptation to burrowing of the forefeet claws, the new species should belong to the subfamily Georychinae Roberts, 1951. Concerning the pelage pattern, the shape of the markings on the back is quite different from that found in other members of the family. The elaborate colour pattern of the skin is consistent with its assignment to the genus Cryptomys ‘ sensu lato’ (Honeycutt et al., 1991), the only bathyergid genus showing a great variability in pelage coloration. We compared the colour pattern of our Somali specimen with those of other species of Fukomys found north of the equator, as described in the relevant literature. The westernmost species, F. zechi (Matschie, 1900) from Ghana, is described as “pale buffish or very light sepia-brown” in colour. Most individuals have a more or less developed white head-spot (Rosevear, 1969). The Nigerian species, F. fo x i (Thomas, 1911) is described as “very deep sepia”, above and below. The only marking is a sharply defined pure white head spot, not found in all individuals (Rosevear, 1969). A third species, F. ochraceocinereus (Heuglin, 1864), is found from Cameroon to southern Sudan and northwestern Uganda (Honeycutt et al., 1991). Fukomys ochraceocinereus oweni Setzer 1956, from southern Sudan has blackish brown upper parts but it is a little paler below. The dorsal head spot, lips, chin, and line on mid-throat converge into a pure white spot on the breast (Setzer, 1956). According to Delany (1975), mole-rats of southern Sudan, Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, assigned to the taxon F. ochraceocinereus lechei (Thomas, 1895), may have a patch of white fur on top of the head and a backwardly projected white stripe about 3 cm long, extending over the neck. As already stated, molecular data supported the split of Cryptomys Gray, 1864 in two genera, with Fukomys (Kock et al., 2006) containing all the eastern, central and southern African taxa, except those of the Cryptomys hottentotus (Lesson, 1862) group, which is limited to the southern African subregion (Faulkes et al., 2004; Ingram et al., 2004). On morphological and biogeographical grounds, we preliminarily assign the new species of mole-rat to the genus Fukomys.

Fukomys ilariae sp. nov. Somali striped mole-rat Etymology. The species is dedicated to Miss Ilaria Alpi, an Italian journalist, who together with her cameraman Miran Hovratin, was assassinated in Mogadishu in 1994, while investigating trade in toxic cargoes between Italy and Somalia. Type material. Holotype. Mounted skin (MCZR 7016), 11.8 cm head and body length. No distinctive tail is apparent, but a very short peduncle seems to represent a vestigial tail, as reported for Heliophobius Peters, 1846 (De Graaf, 1981). Left side of the specimen is severely faded because of exposure to sunlight. Type locality. The precise collecting locality of the type specimen is unknown because the label (Fig. 1) indicates only Somalia. However, Somali specimens received by the museum were donations from the first Italian residents (military personnel and physicians) living in or near Mogadishu, and no Italian expedition to East Africa (including Eritrea, an older colony) is known to have deposited specimens to the Rome Museum. All the historical data in our possession, including the few catalogues published at the time that included Somali specimens (Lepri, 1911; Masi, 1912) suggest that the mole-rat originated from the Lower Shebelle region in central-southern Somalia, practically the only region of Somalia occupied by Italians until the 1920 s. The climate there is semi-arid, with a mean yearly rainfall of around 500 mm (480 mm: Mogadishu; 530 mm: Afgoye). An open shrub vegetation type ���locally known as ���boscaglia������ grows on the big Somali dunes, which are 20���30 km wide and extend parallel to the coast (Pignatti & Warfa, 1983). Diagnosis. The description of the pelage coloration is based mainly on the right (unfaded) side of the specimen. Head shows a broad whitish midline that extends over the dorsal area, except on a small region over the neck (Fig. 1). The whitish midline divides along the posterior dorsal area, forming a ���swift tail��� 49.5 mm long. Rest of the body, including ventral area (Fig. 1) and limbs, is Sienna hearth / burnt Sienna. No white patch is evident ventrally. Hairs are longer dorsally: c. 10 mm along the neck, 7.5 mm over the legs. The specimen shows reduced eyes covered with hairs. The absence of vibrissae on the head is probably caused by poor preservation of the skin. Comparison with other bathyergid species and taxonomic assignment. In general, the skin is sparsely haired ���instead of appearing velvety as in most Fukomys��� as in some bathyergid species that are adapted to xeric habitats (De Graaf, 1981). Digits show five concave nails (Fig. 2). Hindlimb nails differ from those of other members of the genus Fukomys that show elongated and horizontally flattened ���finger-nails��� (Kingdon, 1974; pers. obs.). Anterior limbs appear more robust. The specimen belongs without doubt to a subterranean-adapted lineage. The shape of the nails excludes its belonging to the Chrysochloridae (Kingdon, 1996). Absence of pinnae and the habitat spectrum of the assumed capture site also led us to dismiss the genus Tachyoryctes (Spalacidae), a mountain specialist (Kingdon, 1996), although the latter genus is known to occur on the mountains of northern Somalia (Funaioli, 1971; Agnelli et al., 1990). Absence of any trace of pinnae suggests that the specimen belongs to the family Bathyergidae (in accordance with the specimen label). It should be noted that at the time of its first taxonomic assignment, the skull was probably present. Owing to the absence of adaptation to burrowing of the forefeet claws, the new species should belong to the subfamily Georychinae Roberts, 1951. Concerning the pelage pattern, the shape of the markings on the back is quite different from that found in other members of the family. The elaborate colour pattern of the skin is consistent with its assignment to the genus Cryptomys ��� sensu lato��� (Honeycutt et al., 1991), the only bathyergid genus showing a great variability in pelage coloration. We compared the colour pattern of our Somali specimen with those of other species of Fukomys found north of the equator, as described in the relevant literature. The westernmost species, F. zechi (Matschie, 1900) from Ghana, is described as ���pale buffish or very light sepia-brown��� in colour. Most individuals have a more or less developed white head-spot (Rosevear, 1969). The Nigerian species, F. fo x i (Thomas, 1911) is described as ���very deep sepia���, above and below. The only marking is a sharply defined pure white head spot, not found in all individuals (Rosevear, 1969). A third species, F. ochraceocinereus (Heuglin, 1864), is found from Cameroon to southern Sudan and northwestern Uganda (Honeycutt et al., 1991). Fukomys ochraceocinereus oweni Setzer 1956, from southern Sudan has blackish brown upper parts but it is a little paler below. The dorsal head spot, lips, chin, and line on mid-throat converge into a pure white spot on the breast (Setzer, 1956). According to Delany (1975), mole-rats of southern Sudan, Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, assigned to the taxon F. ochraceocinereus lechei (Thomas, 1895), may have a patch of white fur on top of the head and a backwardly projected white stripe about 3 cm long, extending over the neck. As already stated, molecular data supported the split of Cryptomys Gray, 1864 in two genera, with Fukomys (Kock et al., 2006) containing all the eastern, central and southern African taxa, except those of the Cryptomys hottentotus (Lesson, 1862) group, which is limited to the southern African subregion (Faulkes et al., 2004; Ingram et al., 2004). On morphological and biogeographical grounds, we preliminarily assign the new species of mole-rat to the genus Fukomys., Published as part of Gippoliti, Spartaco & Amori, Giovanni, 2011, A new species of mole-rat (Rodentia, Bathyergidae) from the Horn of Africa, pp. 39-46 in Zootaxa 2918 on page 41, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277874, {"references":["De Graaf, G. (1981) The Rodents of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria.","Lepri, G. (1911) Aggiunte alla raccolta erpetologica del Museo Zoologico. Ofidi del Benadir. Bollettino Societa Zoologica Italiana 11 (Ser. II), 317 - 327.","Masi, L. (1912) Note sugli scorpioni appartenenti al R. Museo Zoologico di Roma. Bollettino Societa Zoologica Italiana, 12 (Ser. II), 88 - 108; 120 - 144.","Kingdon, J. (1974) East African Mammals. An Atlas of Evolution in Africa. Vol. II, part B. Academic Press London.","Kingdon, J. (1996) Kingdon field guide to the mammals of Africa. Collins, London.","Funaioli U. (1971) Guida breve dei mammiferi della Somalia. Istituto Agronomico per l'oltremare, Firenze.","Agnelli, P., Azzaroli, M. L. & Simonetta, A. M. (1990) Some remarks on the mammals of Somalia. Biogeographia, 14, 499 - 513.","Honeycutt, R. L., Allard, M. W., Scott, V. E. & Schlitter, D. A. (1991) Systematics and evolution of the Family Bathyergidae. In: Sherman P. W., Jarvis J. U. M., Alexander R. D. (eds.) The biology of the Nacked Mole-Rat. Princeton University Press, Princeton, pp. 45 - 65.","Rosevear, D. R. (1969) The rodents of West Africa. Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History), London.","Setzer, H. W. (1956) Mammals of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Proceedings of the United States National Museum, 106, 447 - 587.","Delany, M. J. (1975) The Rodents of Uganda. British Museum (Natural History), London.","Kock, D., Ingram, C. M., Frabotta, L. J., Honeycutt, R. L. & Burda, H. (2006) On the nomenclature of Bathyergidae and Fukomys n. Gen. (Mammalia: Rodentia). Zootaxa, 1142, 51 - 55.","Faulkes, C. G., Verheyen, E., Verheyen, W., Jarvis, J. U. M. & Bennett, N. C. (2004) Phylogeographic patterns of speciation and genetic divergence in African mole-rats (Family Bathyergidae). Molecular Ecology, 13, 613 - 629.","Ingram, C. M., Burda, H. & Honeycutt, R. L. (2004) Molecular phylogenetics and taxonomy of the African mole-rats, genus Cryptomys and the new genus Coetomys Gray, 1864. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 31, 997 - 1014."]}

A new species of mole-rat with a striking colour pattern is described from a single mounted specimen in the historical collection of the 'Museo Civico di Zoologia' in Rome, Italy. The lack of skull and original collecting data does not allow the gathering of firm evidences about its taxonomic relationships, geographical range and ecological preferences. This taxon is provisionally allocated to the recently created genus Fukomys Kock, Ingram, Frabotta, Honeycutt and Burda 2006 on the grounds of pelage colour pattern and geographical origin. All the available evidence, including label and other fragmentary historical data, supports Fukomys ilariae sp. nov. as originating from the Lower Shebelle region near Mogadishu, Somalia, historically known as Benadir. This discovery highlights the relevance for biodiversity conservation of the Horn of Africa and the need of further faunistic research to describe its fauna.

Bathyergidae Cryptomys anselli Burda, Zima, Scharff, Macholan & Kawalika, 1999: 37. ���Court of the Chainama Hills Golf Club in the north-eastern part of Lusaka, Zambia ���. [NT] Cryptomys kafuensis Burda, Zima, Scharff, Macholan & Kawalika, 1999: 39. ������Hot Springs��� in Itezhi-Tezhi, Kafue National Park, Southern Province, Zambia, within the degree square 1526 C 1 (following the mapping of Ansell, 1978)���. [VU] Fukomys Kock, Ingram, Frabotta, Honeycutt & Burda, 2006: 52. Type species: Bathyergus damarensis Ogilby, 1838., Published as part of Hoffmann, Michael, Grubb, Peter, Groves, Colin P., Hutterer, Rainer, Straeten, Erik Van Der, Simmons, Nancy & Bergmans, Wim, 2009, A synthesis of African and western Indian Ocean Island mammal taxa (Class: Mammalia) described between 1988 and 2008: an update to Allen (1939) and Ansell (1989), pp. 1-36 in Zootaxa 2205 on pages 17-18, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.189726, {"references":["Burda, H., Zima, J., Scharff, A., Macholan, M. & Kawalika, M. (1999) The karyotypes of Cryptomys anselli sp. nova and Cryptomys kafuensis sp. nova: new species of the common mole-rat from Zambia (Rodentia, Bathyergidae). Zeitschrift fur Saugetierkunde, 64, 36 - 50.","Ansell, W. F. H. (1978) The mammals of Zambia. The National Parks and Wildlife Service, Chilanga.","Kock, D., Ingram, C. M., Frabotta, L. J., Honeycutt, R. L. & Burda, H. (2006) On the nomenclature of Bathyergidae and Fukomys n. gen. (Mammalia: Rodentia). Zootaxa, 1142, 51 - 55."]}

Bathyergidae Cryptomys anselli Burda, Zima, Scharff, Macholan & Kawalika, 1999: 37. “Court of the Chainama Hills Golf Club in the north-eastern part of Lusaka, Zambia ”. [NT] Cryptomys kafuensis Burda, Zima, Scharff, Macholan & Kawalika, 1999: 39. ““Hot Springs” in Itezhi-Tezhi, Kafue National Park, Southern Province, Zambia, within the degree square 1526 C 1 (following the mapping of Ansell, 1978)”. [VU] Fukomys Kock, Ingram, Frabotta, Honeycutt & Burda, 2006: 52. Type species: Bathyergus damarensis Ogilby, 1838.

We provide a synthesis of all mammal taxa described from the African mainland, Madagascar and all surrounding islands in the 20 years since 1988, thereby supplementing the earlier works of G.M. Allen (1939) and W.F.H. Ansell (1989), and bringing the list of African mammals described over the last 250 years current to December 2008. We list 175 new extant taxa, including five new genera, one new subgenus, 138 new species and 31 new subspecies, including remarks, where relevant, on the current systematic position of each taxon. Names of seven species of primates are emended, according to the requirements of the ICZN. The taxonomic group in which the largest number of new taxa has been described is the Primates, with two new genera, 47 new species and 11 new subspecies, while geographically the biggest increase in new species descriptions has been on the island of Madagascar, accounting for roughly half (67) of all new species described in the past 20 years. Nearly half of all new species listed currently are assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (49 of 101 listed species) suggesting further research is urgently needed to help clarify the status of those recently described species.

International audience; The subterranean African mole-rats (Family Bathyergidae) show considerable variation in their diploid numbers, but there is limited understanding of the events that shaped the extant karyotypes. Here we investigate chromosomal evolution in specimens representative of six genera and an outgroup species, the cane rat Thryonomys swinderianus, using flow-sorted painting probes isolated from the naked mole-rat, Heterocephalus glaber (2n = 60). A chromosomal phylogeny based on the cladistic analysis of adjacent syntenies detected by cross-species chromosome painting was not consistent with that obtained using DNA sequences due, in large part, to the conserved nature of the Bathyergus, Georychus and Cryptomys karyotypes. In marked contrast, the Fukomys and Heliophobius species showed extensive chromosome reshuffling, permitting their analysis by a computational approach that has conventionally been employed in comparative genomic studies for retrieving phylogenetic information based on DNA sequence or gene order data. Using the multiple genome rearrangements (MGR) algorithm and chromosomal rearrangement data detected among F. damarensis, F. darlingi, F. mechowi and the sister taxa B. janetta and Heliophobius argenteocinereus, cytogenetic support for the monophyly of Fukomys and a sister association for F. darlingi + F. damarensis was retrieved, mirroring the published sequence-based topology. We show that F. damarensis, a lineage adapted to arid and climatically unpredictable environments in Southern Africa, is characterized by a large number of fissions the fixation of which has probably been favoured by environmental factors and/or its particular eusocial structure.

Kock, Dieter, Ingram, Colleen M., Frabotta, Laurence J., Honeycutt, Rodney L., Burda, Hynek (2006): On the nomenclature of Bathyergidae and Fukomys n. gen. (Mammalia: Rodentia). Zootaxa 1142 (1): 51-55, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1142.1.4, URL: https://biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.1142.1.4

Heliophobius argenteocinereus Peters, 1846. Bericht Verhandl. K. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, 11:259. TYPE LOCALITY: Mozambique, Tete (on the Zambezi River). DISTRIBUTION: Zimbabwe, E Zambia, and N Mozambique to Zaire, Kenya, and N Tanzania. SYNONYMS: albifrons, angonicus, emini, kapiti, marungensis, mottoulei, pallidus Gray, 1864, robustus, spalax. COMMENTS: Honeycutt et al. (1991:54-55) concluded that the characters used to separate H. spalax from H. argenteocinereus are due to age variation, and that the genus is monotypic. See also de Graaff (1975:2). The chromosome no. is 2n=60., Published as part of Charles A. Woods, 1993, Order Rodentia - Suborder Hystricognathi, pp. 771-806 in Mammal Species of the World (2 nd Edition), Washington and London :Smithsonian Institution Press on page 772, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7353083, {"references":["Gray, J. E. 1864 [1865]. A revision of the genera and species of viverrine animals (Viverridae) founded on the collection in the British Museum. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1864: 502 - 579.","Honeycutt, R. L., M. W. Allard, S. V. Edwards, and D. A. Schlitter. 1991. Systematics and evolution of the family Bathyergidae. Pp. 45 - 65, in The biology of the naked mole rat (P. W. Sherman, J. U. M. Jarvis, and R. D. Alexander, eds.). Princeton University Press, Princeton, 518 pp.","de Graaff, G. 1975. Family Bathyergidae. Part 6.9. Pp. 1 - 5, in The mammals of Africa: An identification manual (J. Meester and H. W. Setzer, eds.) [issued 10 Dec 1975]. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., not continuously paginated."]}

Cryptomys damarensis (Ogilby, 1838). Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1838:5. TYPE LOCALITY: Namibia, Damaraland. DISTRIBUTION: E Namibia, Botswana, W Zimbabwe, S Zambia, S Angola. SYNONYMS: lugardi, mietetemi, ovamboensis., Published as part of Charles A. Woods, 1993, Order Rodentia - Suborder Hystricognathi, pp. 771-806 in Mammal Species of the World (2 nd Edition), Washington and London :Smithsonian Institution Press on page 771, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7353083

Cryptomys mechowi (Peters, 1881). Sitzb. Ges. Naturf. Fr. Berlin, p. 133. TYPE LOCALITY: Angola, Malange. DISTRIBUTION: Angola, S Zaire, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania. COMMENTS: Includes ansorgei, blainei, and mellandi (de Graaff, 1975:3). Corbet and Hill (1991:207) spelled the name mechowii., Published as part of Charles A. Woods, 1993, Order Rodentia - Suborder Hystricognathi, pp. 771-806 in Mammal Species of the World (2 nd Edition), Washington and London :Smithsonian Institution Press on page 772, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7353083, {"references":["de Graaff, G. 1975. Family Bathyergidae. Part 6.9. Pp. 1 - 5, in The mammals of Africa: An identification manual (J. Meester and H. W. Setzer, eds.) [issued 10 Dec 1975]. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C., not continuously paginated.","Corbet, G. B., and J. E. Hill. 1991. A world list of mammalian species. Third ed. British Museum (Natural History) Publications, London, 243 pp."]}

Family Bathyergidae Waterhouse, 1841. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., [ser. 1], 8:81. COMMENTS: Reviewed by Honeycutt et al. (1991). The family has been traditionally divided into two subfamilies: Bathyerginae with grooved upper incisors (Bathyergus); and Georychinae with ungrooved upper incisors (Cryptomys, Georychus, Heliophobius, Heterocephalis). Honeycutt et al. (1991:59) did not support such groupings., Published as part of Charles A. Woods, 1993, Order Rodentia - Suborder Hystricognathi, pp. 771-806 in Mammal Species of the World (2 nd Edition), Washington and London :Smithsonian Institution Press on page 771, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7353083, {"references":["Honeycutt, R. L., M. W. Allard, S. V. Edwards, and D. A. Schlitter. 1991. Systematics and evolution of the family Bathyergidae. Pp. 45 - 65, in The biology of the naked mole rat (P. W. Sherman, J. U. M. Jarvis, and R. D. Alexander, eds.). Princeton University Press, Princeton, 518 pp."]}