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Praomys cf. pomeli Jaeger, 1975 MATÉRIEL. — NR = 6; une m1 D isolée (2,00 × 1,63 mm), une M2 D isolée (2,64 × 1,61 mm), une m2 G isolée (1,89 × 1,60 mm), une m3 G isolée (1,36 × 1,13 mm) et deux m3 D isolées (1,35 × 1,21 mm; 1,23 × 1,09 mm). DESCRIPTION ET COMPARAISONS Les restes d’un Muridae de taille moyenne, plus grand que Mus mais largement plus petit que Paraethomys Petter, 1968, ont été attribués au genre Praomys Thomas, 1915 (Jaeger 1975; Geraads 1994, 1995, 2016a). Le genre Praomys, d’affinité africaine, fait son apparition en Afrique du Nord dès la fin du Miocène, avant de se diversifier de façon importante dans cette région (Stoetzel 2013): Pr. skouri Jaeger, 1975 au Pliocène et au Pléistocène inférieur, Pr. abdallahi Jaeger, 1975 au Pléistocène inférieur, Pr. eghrisae Jaeger, 1975 au Pléistocène inférieur et moyen, Pr. pomeli Jaeger, 1975 et Pr. darelbeidae Geraads, 1994 au Pléistocène moyen. Comme pour Paraethomys, le genre Praomys disparait au Pléistocène supérieur. Bien que la morphologie dentaire soit très proche d’une espèce à l’autre, il existe des différences marquées du point de vue de la taille: Pr. skouri est la plus petite, puis viennent Pr. darelbeidae , Pr. abdallahi, Pr. eghrisae, et enfin Pr. pomeli qui est la plus grande (Jaeger 1975; Geraads 1994, 2016a). La M2 de Ben Kérat (Fig. 9) porte un t1 très développé et un t3 réduit mais encore bien individualisé, tous deux étant reliés par une petite crête transversale antérieure, mais basse et peu développée. La m1 porte quatre cuspides antérieures subégales et confluentes, une ébauche de tma (sous forme d’un petit renflement d’émail), un c1 bien développé et individualisé, et un c4 réduit à un bourrelet d’émail. La m2 porte également un c1 bien développé et un tE bien marqué. Les grandes dimensions des molaires de Ben Kérat les rapprocheraient davantage de Pr. pomeli (Fig. 10) mais la rareté et la mauvaise conservation du matériel nous incitent à rester prudents et à limiter l’attribution de ces spécimens à Praomys cf. pomeli., Published as part of Stoetzel, Emmanuelle & Pickford, Martin, 2022, Étude d'un assemblage original de microvertébrés du Pléistocène moyen du nord-est de l'Algérie (Ben Kérat, Oued Zenati) et description de deux nouveaux muridés, pp. 237-263 in Geodiversitas 44 (8) on page 250, DOI: 10.5252/geodiversitas2022v44a8, http://zenodo.org/record/6245987, {"references":["PETTER F. 1968. - Un Muride quaternaire nouveau d'Algerie, Paraethomys filfilae. Mammalia 32 (1): 54 - 59. https: // doi. org / 10.1515 / mamm. 1968.32.1.54","GERAADS D. 1994. - Rongeurs et Lagomorphes du Pleistocene moyen de la \" Grotte des Rhinoceros \", carriere Oulad Hamida 1, a Casablanca, Maroc. Neues Jahrbuch fur Geologie und Paleontologie, Abh 191 (2): 147 - 172.","GERAADS D. 1995. - Rongeurs et insectivores (Mammalia) du Pliocene final de Ahl Al Oughlam (Casablanca, Maroc). Geobios 28 (1): 99 - 115. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 % 2 FS 0016 - 6995 (95) 80206 - 1","GERAADS D. 2016 a. - La faune de vertebres du Pleistocene moyen de la Grotte des Rhinoceros, Casablanca, Maroc: 4 - Rodentia et Lagomorpha, in RAYNAL J. P. & MOHIB A. (eds), Prehistoire de Casablanca. 1 - La Grotte des Rhinoceros (fouilles 1991 et 1996). Villes et Sites Archeologiques du Maroc, Vol. VI, Rabat: 95 - 104."]}

Praomys misonnei Van der Straeten & Dieterlen, 1987 (Fig. 5) Praomys misonnei Van der Straeten & Dieterlen, 1987: 3. COMMON NAME. — Misonne’s Soft-furred Rat. MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary • 5 ♂; USNM 590095-590098, SMF 91365 • 12 ♀; USNM 590093, 590094, USNM 590115, 590116, SMF 91435, 91363, 91366, 91367-91369, 93747, ZTNHC 953 • 1?; USNM 590117. Apesokubi • 7 ♂; USNM 590099, SMF 91374 + 91377, ZTNHC 961, 962, 964, UVM VR062 • 5 ♀; USNM 590100, USNM 590118 – 590120, SMF 91375. Kalakpa Resource Reserve (see Fig. 5) • 8 ♂; USNM 590080 + 590081, USNM 590083-590085, USNM 590088, USNM 590091, USNM 590113, ZTNHC 949 • 6 ♀; USNM 590082, USNM 590086 + 590087, USNM 590089 + 590090, USNM 590114 • 1?; USNM 590079. Kyabobo National Park • 3 ♀; USNM 590121-590123. Shiare • 1 ♀; USNM 590124 • 2♀; SMF 91372 + 91373. Tagbo-Falls • 1 ♂; USNM 590103; 1 ♀; USNM 590125. REMARK With 190 captured individuals, Praomys misonnei was the most frequently caught species in the Volta Region, followed by Mus (Nannomys) musculoides Temminck, 1853 (n = 23) and Hylomyscus pamfi (n = 7). All Praomys had been tentatively identified as P. tullbergi in the field, but a recent molecular follow-up study included seven of our specimens from Agumatsa, Apesokubi and Shiare and showed that they all belonged to P. misonnei, reinforcing that P. tullbergi is limited to the Upper Guinea Region, west of the Volta River and P. misonnei to the Dahomey Gap region into Central Africa (Nicolas et al. 2010a, 2011) with the Volta River forming the zoogeographic barrier between the two species. Our specimens were part of their Clade II, which is restricted to the Ghana-Togo Highlands and Dahomey Gap area. CONSERVATION STATUS. — Praomys misonnei is listed as “Least Concern” on the 2019 IUCN Red List, but the species range has not yet been updated to include the Lower Guinea Region based on Nicolas et al. (2010a, 2011)., Published as part of Decher, Jan, Norris, Ryan W., Abedi-Lartey, Michael, Oppong, James, Hutterer, Rainer, Weinbrenner, Martin, Koch, Martin, Podsiadlowski, Lars & Kilpatrick, C. William, 2021, A survey of small mammals in the Volta Region of Ghana with comments on zoogeography and conservation, pp. 253-281 in Zoosystema 43 (14) on page 262, DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2021v43a14, http://zenodo.org/record/4783781, {"references":["VAN DER STRAETEN E. & DIETERLEN F. 1987. - Praomys misonnei, a new species of Muridae from Eastern Zaire (Mammalia). Stuttgarter Beitrage zur Naturkunde, Serie A (Biologie) 402: 1 - 11. https: // www. biodiversitylibrary. org / page / 33622925","TEMMINCK C. J. 1853. - Esquisses zoologiques sur la Cote de Guine, Part I, Mammiferes. E. J. Brill, Leiden, 256 p. https: // www. biodiversitylibrary. org / page / 14835765","NICOLAS V., AKPATOU B., WENDELEN W. I. M., KERBIS PETER- HANS J., OLAYEMI A., DECHER J., MISSOUP A. - D., DENYS C., BARRIERE P., CRUAUD C. & COLYN M. 2010 a. - Molecular and morphometric variation in two sibling species of the genus Praomys (Rodentia: Muridae): implications for biogeography. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 160: 397 - 419. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1096 - 3642.2009.00602. x","NICOLAS V., MISSOUP A. D., DENYS C., KERBIS PETERHANS J., KATU- ALA P., COULOUX A. & COLYN M. 2011. - The roles of rivers and Pleistocene refugia in shaping genetic diversity in Praomys misonnei in tropical Africa. Journal of Biogeography 38: 191 - 207. https: // doi. org / 10.1111 / j. 1365 - 2699.2010.02399. x"]}

The murid rodent Praomys daltoni is widespread in Sudanian savanna and woodlands of West Africa, and previous study of mitochondrial DNA variability suggested that it encompasses the phenotypically (small, grey-bellied) and ecologically (commensal) distinct form, Praomys derooi. Here, we comprehensively examined the genetic and morphological diversity within the complex. Six mitochondrial lineages showed a fine-scale phylogeographical pattern, whereas delimitation based on nuclear loci pooled four of them into a single widespread unit. A newly discovered lineage from southern Mauritania stands apart from the rest of the complex and might represent an unrecognized species. At the same time, the internal position of P. derooi (C2 mitochondrial lineage) was confirmed by the multilocus analysis. The magnitude of genetic distances between major phylogeographical lineages was typical for interspecific divergence in other clades of Praomys, despite the little differences among them in morphology (skull and upper molar row shapes). The most pronounced morphological shift was associated with a transition to commensalism, especially in P. derooi, but also in other lineages. This makes the whole complex a suitable model for the study of phenotypic novelty, the evolution of commensalism and conditions for ecological speciation.

Mount Oku, in the Northwest Region of Cameroon, is known for its rodent diversity. It is located in an area with a high human population density (up to 400/km2), resulting in intense pressure on natural resources. Threats to biodiversity include overgrazing by cattle and goats in grassland areas and montane forests, firewood harvesting, agriculture, bee keeping, debarking of Prunus trees for medicinal uses, and bushmeat hunting. We used data from interviews with 106 local hunters to provide insights into rodent trapping in Oku village. Trapping took place primarily in closed canopy forest. The majority of hunters (88.8%) set at least 100 traps per week, with a mean of 38 rodents trapped per hunter per week. The two most captured species were the Vulnerable Hartwig's praomys Praomys hartwigi and the Endangered Mount Oku rat Lamottemys okuensis, both of which have declining populations. Rodents were harvested mainly for household consumption and/or local trade, but 65.1% of interviewees also used P. hartwigi for traditional medicine. Our findings suggest that rodent trapping in Oku village requires conservation attention, and that further quantitative studies are needed to assess its sustainability.

Rodent-borne arenaviruses have been traditionally predominantly associated with certain muroid species from Mastomys/Praomys genera (African arenaviruses) or with species that belong to murid subfamily Cricetidae (New World arenaviruses) [...]

Rodent pest outbreaks or "irruptions" occurring at national or regional levels have been reported since at least 1905. Wet environments, such as marshes, harbor several rodents capable of damaging crops. Grassland and woodland savannas contain Tatera, Arvicanthis, Praomys, and Thryonomys which are responsible for agricultural losses that are normally chronic but can be periodically acute. Seasonal increases in rodent-borne diseases would be expected at or following rodent population peaks. Plague has been seasonal in most African countries and a relationship to rodent population dynamics seems possible. Despite decades of rodent research on biology, taxonomy, ecology, and disease, research on agricultural rodent pest problems in Africa has lagged. Praomys natalensis, the multimammate rat, is the most economically important of all pest rodent species in Africa. Tropical diseases abound in Africa, and rodents are responsible for several which affect man or livestock including plague, leptospirosis, murine typhus, and Lassa fever.

Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) typically manifest as rapidly progressing acute febrile syndromes with profound hemorrhagic manifestations and very high fatality rates. Lassa fever, an acute hemorrhagic fever characterized by fever, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and chest and abdominal pain. Rodents are important reservoirs of rodent-borne zoonosis worldwide. Transmission rodents to humans occur by aerosol spread, either from the genus Mastomys rodents' excreta (multimammate rat) or through the close contact with infected patients (nosocomial infection). Other rodents of the genera Rattus, Mus, Lemniscomys, and Praomys are incriminated rodents hosts. Now one may ask do the rodents' ectoparasites play a role in Lassa virus zoonotic transmission. This paper summarized the update knowledge on LHV; hopping it might be useful to the clinicians, nursing staff, laboratories' personals as well as those concerned zoonoses from rodents and rodent control.

610. Tullberg’s Soft-furred Mouse Praomys tullbergi French: Praomys de Tullberg / German: Tullberg-Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Ratén de pelaje suave de Tullberg Other common names: Tullberg’s Praomys, Tullberg’s Rock Rat Taxonomy. Mus tullbergi Thomas, 1894, Ankober River, Wasa, Ashanti, Ghana. Praomys tullbergi is in the P. tullbergi species group and distinguished based on molecular and partially morphometric grounds from P. rostratus with which it co-occurs in West Africa. Until recently, P. tullbergi included P. misonne: from Central Africa, which was shown to be distinct, thereby restricting P. tullbergi to West Africa west of Volta River and P. misonnei to the east of Volta River. Monotypic. Distribution. Endemic to Upper Guinean forest from SE Guinea E to Ghana, W of the Volta River. Descriptive notes. Head-body 108-131 mm,tail 115-153 mm, ear 17-21 mm, hindfoot 22-26 mm; weight 28-54 g. Fur of Tullberg’s Soft-furred Mouse is reddish brown (adults) to dark gray (juveniles) above and whitish gray on belly, chin, throat, and chest. Tail is very long (c.140% of head-body length), with short sparse bristles. Hindfeet and forefeet are white. Females have three pairs of nipples. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 34 and FN = 32. Habitat. Primary and secondary rainforests with good ground cover and cultivated fields from lowlands up to elevations of ¢.1200 m. Food and Feeding. In Ghana, diet contains mostly fruits, shoots, seeds, and some insects. Breeding. In Ghana, litters have 2-6 young. Activity patterns. Tullberg’s Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and terrestrial, occasionally scansorial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Akpatou et al. (2007), Cole (1975), Happold (2013a), Jeffrey (1975, 1977), Monadjem et al. (2015), Nicolas, Bryja et al. (2008)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, pp. 536-884 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 810, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6887260

620. Coetzee’s Soft-furred Mouse Praomys coetzeei French: Praomys de Coetzee / German: Coetzee-Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Ratén de pelaje suave de Coetzee Other common names: Coetzee's Praomys Taxonomy. Praomys coetzeei Van der Straeten, 2008, Duque de Braganca (25 km N, 15 km E), Angola. Praomys coetzeei previously was grouped in the species P. tullbergi but shown to be distinct based on craniometric characters. Monotypic. Distribution. NW Angola. Descriptive notes. Head-body 90-140 mm, tail 123-163 mm, ear 14-21 mm, hindfoot 24-28 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Fur of Coetzee’s Soft-furred Mouse is brown above, slightly darker than Tullberg’s Soft-furred Mouse (P. tullbergi) and gray to whitish gray below but never as white as on Tullberg’s Soft-furred Mouse. Tail is very long (c.137% of head-body length) and usually same color below and above. Hindfeet and forefeet are white. Females have three pairs of nipples. Habitat. Primary and secondary and gallery forests. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. No information. Activity patterns. Coetzee’s Soft-furred Mouse is probably nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The [UCN Red List. Bibliography. Happold (2013a), Monadjem et al. (2015), Van der Straeten (2008)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, pp. 536-884 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 812, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6887260

615. Riverine Soft-furred Mouse Praomys mutoni French: Praomys de Masako / German: Muton-Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Raton de pelaje suave de la ribera del Congo Other common names: Masako Soft-furred Mouse, Muton's Soft-furred Mouse, Riverine Praomys Taxonomy. Praomys mutoni Van der Straeten & Dudu, 1990, Batiabongena, Masako Forest Reserve, DR Congo. Praomys mutoni is one of eight species in the P. tullbergi species group and distinguished based on molecular grounds. Monotypic. Distribution. Narrow distribution along both banksof the middle-upper reaches of the Congo River, DR Congo. Descriptive notes. Head-body 110-139 mm, tail 113-171 mm, ear 17-19 mm, hindfoot 21-24 mm; weight 31-57 g. Fur of the Riverine Soft-furred Mouse is soft sepiabrown above and whitish gray below. Most males have white patch or stripe in front of penis. Tail is very long (c.120-140% of head-body length), dark above and below. Females have three pairs of nipples. Habitat. Very wet areas along water courses in secondary forest and old farmlands. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. Pregnant Riverine Soft-furred Mice have been recorded at beginning (De- cember) and end of dry season(February). Litters have 2-3 young. Activity patterns. The Riverine Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. The Riverine Soft-furred Mouse seems to be restricted to seasonally flooded tall forests which are probably declined and has a distribution of ¢.28,380 km?. Bibliography. Happold (2013a), Missoup et al. (2012), Monadjem et al. (2015), Van der Straeten & Dudu (1990)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, pp. 536-884 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 811, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6887260

618. De Graaff’s Soft-furred Mouse Praomys degraaffi French: Praomys de De Graaff / German: De-Graaf-Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Ratén de pelaje suave de De Graaff Other common names: De Graaff's Praomys Taxonomy. Praomys degraaffi Van de Straeten & Kerbis Peterhans, 1999, Abris Nyamugari, 2200 m, Burundi. Praomys degraaffiis in the P.jacksoni species group and can be diagnosed from P. jacksoni based on pelage color, number of nipples, and chromosomal and molecular characteristics. Monotypic. Distribution. Endemic to the Albertine Rift from SW Uganda to SW Burundi. Descriptive notes. Head-body 92-124 mm, tail 115-151 mm, ear 17-22 mm, hindfoot 24-29 mm; weight 28-64 g. Fur of De Graaff’s Soft-furred Mouse is dark gray or sooty-black overall. Tail is long (c.129% of head-body length). Hindfeet have small accessory plantar pads, along with the six large plantar pads typical of murids. Females have four pairs of nipples. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 26 and FN = 28. Habitat. Montane bamboo forests and open or closed primary and secondary forests, dominated by trees such as Hagenia (Rosaceae), Myrianthus (Urticaceae), and Entandrophragma (Meliaceae), at elevations above 1800 m. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. Pregnant females recorded in February, April, and August. Based on four pregnant De Graaff’s Soft-furred Mice,litters have 2—4 young. Activity patterns. De Graaff’s Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Happold (2013a), Monadjem et al. (2015), Van der Straeten & Kerbis Peterhans (1999)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, pp. 536-884 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on pages 811-812, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6887260

615. Riverine Soft-furred Mouse Praomys mutoni French: Praomys de Masako / German: Muton-Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Raton de pelaje suave de la ribera del Congo Other common names: Masako Soft-furred Mouse, Muton's Soft-furred Mouse, Riverine Praomys Taxonomy. Praomys mutoni Van der Straeten & Dudu, 1990, Batiabongena, Masako Forest Reserve, DR Congo. Praomys mutoni is one of eight species in the P. tullbergi species group and distinguished based on molecular grounds. Monotypic. Distribution. Narrow distribution along both banksof the middle-upper reaches of the Congo River, DR Congo. Descriptive notes. Head-body 110-139 mm, tail 113-171 mm, ear 17-19 mm, hindfoot 21-24 mm; weight 31-57 g. Fur of the Riverine Soft-furred Mouse is soft sepiabrown above and whitish gray below. Most males have white patch or stripe in front of penis. Tail is very long (c.120-140% of head-body length), dark above and below. Females have three pairs of nipples. Habitat. Very wet areas along water courses in secondary forest and old farmlands. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. Pregnant Riverine Soft-furred Mice have been recorded at beginning (De- cember) and end of dry season(February). Litters have 2-3 young. Activity patterns. The Riverine Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. The Riverine Soft-furred Mouse seems to be restricted to seasonally flooded tall forests which are probably declined and has a distribution of ¢.28,380 km?. Bibliography. Happold (2013a), Missoup et al. (2012), Monadjem et al. (2015), Van der Straeten & Dudu (1990).

617. Verschuren’s Soft-furred Mouse Praomys verschureni French: Praomys de Verschuren / German: Verschuren-Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Raton de pelaje suave de Verschuren Other common names: \erschuren's Praomys, Verschuren's Swamp Rat Taxonomy. Malacomys verschureni W. N. Verheyen & Van der Straeten, 1977, Ma-miki, Orientale Province, DR Congo. Praomys verschureni is in the P. lukolelae species group, and it can be distinguished from P. lukolelae based on molecular and biogeographical grounds. Praomys wver-schureni was originally classified in the genus Malacomys based on its long hind-feet, but it is genetically closest toPraomys. Monotypic. Distribution. Known from a few scattered localities N & E of the Congo River, DR Congo. Descriptive notes. Head—body 109-135 mm,tail 123-162 mm, ear 19-23 mm, hindfoot 28-32 mm; weight 40-65 g. Fur of Verschuren’s Soft-furred Mouse is dark gray, washed with brown above, brown on flanks, and gray below; upper and lower surfaces are well demarcated. Tail is very long (c.120% of head-body length), dark above and below and mostly naked but with sparse short bristles. Ears are rounded, and inner and outer surfaces are covered sparsely with short brownish hairs. Hindfeet are relatively long as inspecies of Malacomys, with six plantar pads. Hindfeet and forefeet are white. Females have three pairs of nipples. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 58 and FN = 58-60. Habitat. [Lowland rainforests and submontane forests at elevations of up to 1800 m. Food and Feeding. Verschuren’s Soft-furred Mouse is omnivorous and eats invertebrates and starchy material. Breeding. Sparse records indicate that breeding occurs in September—April. Females typically have three embryos. Activity patterns. Verschuren’s Soft-furred Mouse is presumably nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Happold (2013a), Kennis et al. (2011), Monadjem et al. (2015), Verheyen & Van der Straeten (1977)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, pp. 536-884 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 811, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6887260

612. Lukolela Softfurred Mouse Praomys lukolelae French: Praomys de Lukolela / German: Lukolela-Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Ratén de pelaje suave de Lukolela Other common names: Lukolela Praomys, Lukolela Swamp Rat Taxonomy. Praomys tullbergi lukolelae Hatt, 1934, “Lukolela, middle Congo, [Equateur District], Belgian Congo [= DR Congo].” Praomys lukolelae is grouped with P. ver schureni in the P. lukolelae species group and can be distinguished from P ver schureni based on molecular grounds. Members of the P. lukolelae species group can be distinguished based on longer hindfoot, number of palatal ridges, and a dentalcharacter (cusp t3 on M' poorly developed or absent, well developed in other species groups). Monotypic. Distribution. Known from a few scattered localities S & W of the Congo River, DR Congo. Descriptive notes. Head-body 109-144 mm, tail 116-159 mm, ear 18-26 mm, hindfoot 28-32 mm; weight 27-57 g. Fur of the Lukolela Soft-furred Mouse is medium brown or russet-brown above, paler on flanks, and whitish gray below. Tail is very long (c.115% of head-body length), almost naked, dark above, and pale below. Ears large, rounded, brown, and naked, with preand post-auricular pinkish cinnamon spots. Hindfeet and forefeet are whitish gray, and hindfeet are long and slender. Habitat. Primary rainforest. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. No information. Activity patterns. The Lukolela Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Happold (2013a), Hatt (1934), Kennis et al. (2011), Monadjem et al. (2015)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, pp. 536-884 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 810, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6887260

613. Least Soft-furred Mouse Praomys minor French: Praomys mineur / German: Zwerg-Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Raton de pelaje suave minimo Other common names: [east Praomys Taxonomy. Praomys jacksoni minor Hatt, 1934, “Lukolela, middle Congo,” Equa- teur District, DR Congo. Praomys minor is in the P. jacksoni species group and can be distinguished from other members of this group with molecular data. Monotypic. Distribution. Occurs at very few scattered localities S & W of the Congo River, DR Congo;it has been recently recorded from Mwinilunga District, NW Zambia. Descriptive notes. Head-body 80-118 mm, tail 102-145 mm, ear 13-18 mm, hindfoot 19-22 mm; weight 26-5 g (mean). Fur of the Least Soft-furred Mouse is dark brown (younger) to warm brown (older) above, paler on flanks, and whitish gray below. Tail is very long (c.120-130% of head—body length), almost naked, and dark brown above and below; it sometimes has irregular pale spots. Some males have white patch or stripe in front of penis. Eye-ring is dark. Hindfeet and forefeet are white. Females have three pairs of nipples. Habitat. Primary and secondary forests,fields, and cropland. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. No information. Activity patterns. The Least Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red Lust. Bibliography. Bryja et al. (2012), Happold (2013a), Hatt (1934), Kennis et al. (2011), Monadjem et al. (2015)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, pp. 536-884 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on pages 810-811, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6887260

616. Petter’s Soft-furred Mouse Praomys petteri French: Praomys de Petter / German: Petter-\Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Raton de pelaje suave de Petter Other common names: Petter’s Praomys Taxonomy. Praomys petteri Van der Straeten, Lecompte & Denys, 2003, Boukoko, Cen- tral African Republic. Praomys petteri is in the P. tullbergi species group and distinguished based on molecular grounds from P. misonnei with which it co-occurs. Monotypic. Distribution. C Africa from Sanaga River, Cameroon, E to Ubangi River, Central African Republic, and S to SW Republic of the Congo. Descriptive notes. Head-body 99-143 mm, tail 100-165 mm, ear 15-22 mm, hindfoot 24-28 mm; weight 40-61 g. Fur of Petter’s Soft-furred Mouse is dark to very dark brown above and whitish gray below. Tail is very long (115-125% of head-body length), dark brown above and below with irregular white spots. Females have three pairs of nipples. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 42 and FNa = 62. Habitat. Primary and secondary lowland forests, occasionally in and around villages, at elevations below ¢.500 m. Food and Feeding. Petter’s Soft-furred Mouse is mainly insectivorous; stomachs contain mostly insects along with grains and fruits in dry season. Breeding. No information. Activity patterns. Petter’s Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Petter’s Soft-furred Mouse is not abundant, but its habitat is mostly intact. There are no major conservation threats. Bibliography. Happold (2013a), Matthey (1965), Monadjem et al. (2015), Nicolas et al. (2005), Petter (1975b), Van der Straeten et al. (2003).

611. Jackson's Soft-furred Mouse Praomys jacksoni French: Praomys de Jackson / German: Jackson-Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Ratén de pelaje suave de Jackson Other common names: Jackson's Praomys Taxonomy. Mus jacksoni de Winton, 1897, Entebbe, Uganda. Praomys jacksoni is in the P. jacksoni species group along with P. degraaffi, P. minor, and P. mutoni. Molecular evidence has been found for four deep clades within P. jacksoni that may coincide with cryptic species, but until formal taxonomic revision can be completed, they are retained in P. jacksoni. Monotypic. Distribution. Widespread in tropical Africa from Nigeria E to Kenya and S to N Angola and Zambia. Descriptive notes. Head—body 94-131 mm, tail 125-168 mm, ear 15-22 mm, hindfoot 22-28 mm; weight 21-59 g. Fur ofJackson’s Soft-furred Mouse is long, soft, and gray (Juveniles and subadults) to rufous (adults) above and whitish gray below. Tail is very long (c.118-140% of head-body length), almost naked, dark gray above, and slightly paler below. Ears are large, round, dark, and sparsely haired. Forefeet are whitish, and hindfeet are pale, with brownish tinge and white toes. Females have three pairs of nipples. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 28 and FN = 30. Habitat. Primary and secondary rainforests, montane forests, and cultivated and fallow crop fields. Food and Feeding. Jackson's Soft-furred Mouse is mostly frugivorous, eating seeds, nuts, kernels, and fruits. Fruits are taken from the ground and carried to convenient shelters to remove hard shells. Insects are eaten infrequently. Breeding. Breeding occurs year-round, peaking in wet season. Litters have 1-5 young in lowland forest and 1-6 young in montane forest. Activity patterns. Jackson's Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal, crepuscular, and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Jackson’s Soft-furred Mice make nests of grass and ferns underneath roots of trees. They forage in groups that may have home ranges restricted to vicinity of a single fruiting tree where they collectfruit during forays from sheltered spots. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Delany (1971), Dieterlen (1985a), Happold (2013a), Monadjem et al. (2015)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, pp. 536-884 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 810, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6887260

619. Delicate Soft-furred Mouse Praomys delectorum French: Praomys délicat / German: Zierliche Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Raton de pelaje suave delicado Other common names: Delectable Soft-furred Mouse, Delicate Praomys, East African Praomys Taxonomy. Epimys delectorum Thomas, 1910, “Mlanji [= Mulanje] Plateau, S. Nyasa [= Malawi]. Alt. 5500’ [= 1676 m].” Praomys delectorum is the only species in the P. delectorum species group. Three cryptic species were proposed based on morphological grounds, but they could not be corroborated with molecular data. Monotypic. Distribution. Eastern Arc Mts and adjacent highlands in Kenya and Tanzania extending S to Malawi and N Mozambique. Descriptive notes. Head-body 90-120 mm, tail 110-142 mm, ear 18-25 mm, hindfoot 21-26 mm; weight 20-38 g. Fur of the Delicate Soft-furred Mouse is dark brown above, paler on flanks, and whitish gray on belly, chin, and throat. Tail is long (c.125% of head-body length), with fine dark scales and short dark bristles. Head is narrow, with pointed nose, long black vibrissae, and large eyes. Ears are elongated, with rounded tips, dark brown, and highly mobile, usually held upward and forward from head. Hindfeet and forefeet are short and slender, with short sparse white hair. Hindfeet have five digits; first digit is short. Forefeet have four digits; first digit is vestigial. Females have four pairs of nipples. Diploid number is 2n = 48. Habitat. Montane and riverine forests and forest edges typically at elevations of 1000 2400 m where rainfall exceeds 2000 mm/year. Food and Feeding. The Delicate Soft-furred Mouse is omnivorous. Stomachs from Malawi contained vegetative matter and insects. Breeding. Pregnant Delicate Soft-furred Mice have been recorded in late dry and wet seasons in Malawi. Litters have 2-6 young. Activity patterns. The Delicate Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal, terrestrial, and scansorial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Delicate Soft-furred Mice live in burrows among tree roots and under logs. Individuals rarely survive longer than six months. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Bryja, Mikula, Patzenhauerové et al. (2014), Carleton & Stanley (2012), Hanney (1965), Happold (2013a), Happold & Happold (1989a, 1989b, 1992), Monadjem et al. (2015)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, pp. 536-884 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 812, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6887260

616. Petter’s Soft-furred Mouse Praomys petteri French: Praomys de Petter / German: Petter-\Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Raton de pelaje suave de Petter Other common names: Petter’s Praomys Taxonomy. Praomys petteri Van der Straeten, Lecompte & Denys, 2003, Boukoko, Cen- tral African Republic. Praomys petteri is in the P. tullbergi species group and distinguished based on molecular grounds from P. misonnei with which it co-occurs. Monotypic. Distribution. C Africa from Sanaga River, Cameroon, E to Ubangi River, Central African Republic, and S to SW Republic of the Congo. Descriptive notes. Head-body 99-143 mm, tail 100-165 mm, ear 15-22 mm, hindfoot 24-28 mm; weight 40-61 g. Fur of Petter’s Soft-furred Mouse is dark to very dark brown above and whitish gray below. Tail is very long (115-125% of head-body length), dark brown above and below with irregular white spots. Females have three pairs of nipples. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 42 and FNa = 62. Habitat. Primary and secondary lowland forests, occasionally in and around villages, at elevations below ¢.500 m. Food and Feeding. Petter’s Soft-furred Mouse is mainly insectivorous; stomachs contain mostly insects along with grains and fruits in dry season. Breeding. No information. Activity patterns. Petter’s Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Petter’s Soft-furred Mouse is not abundant, but its habitat is mostly intact. There are no major conservation threats. Bibliography. Happold (2013a), Matthey (1965), Monadjem et al. (2015), Nicolas et al. (2005), Petter (1975b), Van der Straeten et al. (2003)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, pp. 536-884 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 811, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6887260

A new Praomys species from Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, Praomys degraaffi n. sp., is described in the P. jacksoni species-complex. It occurs at high elevations in montane forests of the Albertine Rift. The new species is compared with P. jacksoni from the same region and with the other species in the P. jacksoni species-complex.

Activity pattern and nest-building in four rodent species, Aethomys chrysophilus, Praomys natalensis, Otomys angoniensis and Lemniscomys griselda, collected from a single area, were studied in the laboratory. Activity: Praomys and Aethomys were active primarily during the dark phase of a 12L:12D light regime while Lemniscomys was active primarily during the light phase. Otomyswas individually variable and could not be classified as either nocturnal or diurnal. Nest-building: Each species handled grass in a species-specific manner to the extent to which the leaves were cut into pieces and split lengthwise. These rodents can be placed in the sequence Praomys, Aethomys, Otomys, Lemniscomys with regard both to the extent of this cutting and splitting and to the completeness of the resulting nest with Lemniscomys using the smallest pieces to produce the best, often spherical, nest. It is suggested that these differences may be correlated with a combination of factors including body mass, time of activity, nest location and extent of sociality, which in turn are correlated with the species’ thermal requirements.

Six live-trap types were tested in a grassy vlei near Pretoria in an attempt to determine their success in trapping Rhabdomys pumilio, Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis , and Otomys irroratus. One trap of each type was set at each of fourteen trapping stations. The effect of trap position on captures was effectively ruled out by changing the arrangement of the traps each week. The frequency of capture of different age and sex classes of the three species is compared.

Field studies (Lake Kariba shoreline and Salisbury) and experiments with a captive colony of 12 species of Rhodesian rodents were undertaken for a period of three years. Comparative behavioural data are presented here with special reference to den and nest behaviour, group and territorial behaviour, reproductive and juvenile behaviour, and activity pattern. No species was found to be truly gregarious except Dendromus mesomelas, but Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis, Lemniscomys griselda, Tatera leucogaster, and Aethomys chrysophilus were found to tolerate crowded conditions in captivity. Nipple dragging of young was found in both species of Aethomys and in Acomys, with the remainder observed to utilise mouth carrying behaviour. It was noted that especially in Rhabdomys and Praomys (Mastomysj, and also in Lemniscomys,young have a strong tendency to scatter in all directions from a disturbed nest, even before their eyes open. The significance of nipple dragging, scattering and crowding behaviour and correlation to survival and tendency to irrupt are discussed. All species were found to be nocturnal (usually with irregular sub cycles of activity) except Rhabdomys (largely diurnal), Lemniscomys(diurnal/crepuscular) and Otomys (nocturnal/crepuscular).

No Abstract.

Missoup, A.D., Nicolas, V., Wendelen, W., Keming, E., Bilong Bilong, C.F., Couloux, A., Atanga, E., Hutterer, R. & Denys, C. (2012). Systematics and diversification of Praomys species (Rodentia: Muridae) endemic to the Cameroon Volcanic Line (West Central Africa). —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 327–345. Our integrative approach combines two mitochondrial genes (16S and cyt b gene), two nuclear genes (exon 10 GHR and exon 1 IRBP) and craniometrical data to test the status and to infer phylogenetic relationships of the three Praomys Cameroon Volcanic Line endemics (P. hartwigi, P. morio and P. obscurus). The taxonomic rank of the principal genus group is assessed and the mode of diversification of species of the P. tullbergi complex in Afrotropical forests is discussed based on estimates of times to the most recent common ancestors and on tree topologies. This study documents for the first time the molecular and morphometrical distinctiveness of P. hartwigi and P. morio within the P. tullbergi species complex. Further studies including specimens of P. hartwigi from all its distribution range are needed to conclude on the status of P. obscurus. The monophyly of the genus Praomys is refuted. Times to the most recent common ancestors of major clades within the P. tullbergi species complex are estimated for the last 2.5 Mya and during the last 1 or 2 Mya for different species or forms. The lowland forest refuge hypothesis might well explain the diversification of P. misonnei, P. rostratus and P. tullbergi in the guineo-congolese forest block. The isolation of montane forests could have facilitated the divergence between the two montane forest forms P. hartwigi and P. obscurus and between populations of P. morio from the continent and those from the island of Bioko. Praomys populations (species) that inhabit the Cameroon Volcanic Line Praomys probably originated as lowland forms subsequently specialized to highland conditions.

We studied the taxonomy, distribution, and ecology of species within Praomys, a common rodent genus present in rainforests and montane forests in sub-Saharan Africa. The taxonomy of the group is problematic, and for the sampled region of Kisangani (Democratic Republic of Congo) no prior genetic study has been published. We used a combination of molecular (cyt b sequencing) and craniometric techniques (canonical analyses of skull measurements) for the species identification of a total of 654 specimens. We confirm the presence of Praomys minor in the region, up to now only known from the type and paratype specimens. At least seven species are present in the Kisangani region, and two clades occur along both banks of the Congo River. The present-day distribution of the genus seems to be influenced by large-scale rainforest fragmentation related to drier periods in geological history. The Congo River could in this case constitute a modern barrier to gene flow when the climate enabled rainforest expansion. The tributaries of the Congo River play no role in limiting Praomys species distribution, apart from the Aruwimi River for Praomys jacksoni s.l. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163, 983–1002.

A comparative analysis of sperm-head morphology and measurements in 17 species from nine genera of African Murinae: Rattus rattus, Mastomys coucha, M. huberti, M. erythroleucus, Mastomys sp. 2, Praomys albipes, P. fumatus, Mus mahomet, Arvicanthis somalicus, A. abyssinicus, A. dembeensis, Arvicanthis sp., Lemniscomys macculus, Pelomys harringtoni, Acomys cahirinus, Acomys sp., Uranomys ruddi, was carried out. Spermatozoa of all examined species are of the same basic type. They consist of an asymmetrical head, falciform or scythelike in shape, and a tail attached to the ventrocaudal surface of the head. There are great interspecific differences in sperm morphology and size. The significance of this variation for estimation of taxonomic aspects and phylogenetic relationships among the species, as well as between them and other groups, is discussed. The sperm morphology supports a close evolutionary relationship among the genera Lemniscomys and Arvicanthis. It also indicates that Pelomys is distinctive. The relationships between Acomys and Uranomys are discussed. Zusammenfassung Zur Morphologie der Spermatozoen einiger afrikanischer Murinae (Rodentia, Muridae): Die taxonomischen und phylogenetischen Folgerungen Vergleichend analysiert werden Morphologie und Messungen der Spermienkopfe von 17 Arten aus neun Gattungen afrikanischer Murinae und zwar: Rattus rattus, Mastomys coucha, M. huberti, M. erythroleucus, M. sp. 2, Praomys albipes, P. fumatus, Mus mahomet, Arvicanthis somalicus, A. abyssinicus, A. dembeensis, A. sp., Lemniscomys macculus, Pelomys harringtoni, Acomys cahirinus, A. sp., Uranomys ruddi. Im Grundtyp stimmen die Spermatozoen der unter-suchten Arten uberein, bemerkenswerte Unterschiede bestehen in der Spermamorphologie und in den -masen. Die Bedeutung der Verschiedenheiten fur taxonomische Beurteilungen und phylogenetische Beziehungen wird erortert. Die Morphologie der Spermien weist auf nahe stammesgeschichtliche Beziehungen zwischen den Genera Lemniscomys und Arvicanthis hin. Pelomys ist eine Eigenstellung zuzuerkennen. Die Beziehungen zwischen Acomys und Uranomys werden diskutiert.

A high incidence of renal lesions (120 of 164) was confirmed in Mastomys. As high as 86.4% of the tumor-bearing cases developed renal lesions, while 50.8% of animals without tumors were involved by such lesions. Glomerulonephritis was the most frequent with an incidence of 88.3% of the cases. An increase of the mesangial matrix was the initial form. Almost one-third of glomerulonephritis cases were complicated by pyelonephritis and hydronephrosis. Tumor-bearing cases had more advanced lesions in an average severity, although a half of them had only mild changes. Immunohistochemical studies revealed localization of globulins and beta 1C along the walls of the glomerular tufts suggesting deposition of immune complexes. Nodular homogenous deposits in close contact to the basement membrane were ultrastructurally evidenced in the glomeruli. A tiny adenoma was found in a male case with stomach tumor. ACTA PATH. JAP. 20: 311 - 325, 1970.

The respective roles of the phylogenetic and ecological components in an adaptive radiation are tested on a sample of Old World rats and mice (Muridae, Murinae). Phylogeny was established on nuclear and mitochondrial genes and reconstructed by maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. This phylogeny is congruent with previous larger scale ones recently published, but includes some new results: Bandicota and Nesokia are sister taxa and Micromys would be closely related to the Rattus group. The ecological diversification is investigated through one factor, the diet, and the mandible outline provides the morphological marker. Elliptic and radial Fourier transforms are used for quantifying size and shape differences among species. Univariate size and shape parameters indicate that phylogeny is more influential on size than diet, and the reverse occurs for shape and robust patterns are recognized by multivariate analyses of the data sets provided by the Fourier methods. Omnivorous and herbivorous groups are well separated despite some overlapping, as well as are other Murinae with a specialized diet (insects, seeds). Phylogeny is also influential as shown by the segregation of several groups (Praomys, Arvicanthini, Rattus, Apodemus). Allometric shape variation was investigated, and although present it does not overwhelm effects of either phylogeny or diet. Massive mandibles characterize herbivorous Murinae and slender mandibles, the insectivorous ones. A strong angular process relative to the coronoid process characterizes seedeaters, and the reverse characterized Murinae with a diet based largely on animal matter. Such changes in morphology are clearly in relation with the functioning of the mandible, and with the forces required by the nature of the food: the need of a stronger occlusal force in herbivorous species would explain massive mandibles, and an increase of the grasping and piercing function of incisors in insectivorous species would explain slender mandibles. Resume L’etude a pour but de reconnaitre le role respectif de la parente et de l’ecologie lors d'une radiation adaptative en prenant l'exemple des rats et souris de l'Ancien Monde (Muridae, Murinae). Des genes nucleaires et mitochondriaux fournissent une phylogenie construite a partir des methodes du maximum de vraisemblance et de Mr Bayes. La phylogenie obtenue est congruente avec les phylogenie recemment publiees sur des echantillons plus nombreux de taxons, mais inclut quelques resultats nouveaux: Bandicota et Nesokia sont des taxons freres et Micromys serait etroitement apparente au groupe Rattus. Le regime alimentaire fournit le critere de separation ecologique et le contour de la mandibule en est le marqueur morphologique. La quantification de la taille et de la forme resulte de l'application des transformees de Fourier, radiale et elliptique, aux contours de la mandibule. Si un effet de la parente se degage des indicateurs univaries de taille, l'adaptation au regime alimentaire ressort des indicateurs de forme. Les analyses multivariees appliquees aux ensembles de coefficients de Fourier fournis par les methodes utilisees revelent des motifs robustes dans la distribution des taxons. Ainsi, les taxons omnivores et herbivores sont bien separes malgre un certain chevauchement, il en est de meme des autres Murinae avec un regime specialise (insectes, graines). La phylogenie a egalement une influence sur la distribution des taxons comme l'indique la segregation de plusieurs groupes (Praomys, Arvicanthini, Rattus, Apodemus). S'il y a une variation allometrique de la forme en fonction de la taille, celle-ci ne masque ni la parente ni l'adaptation. Une mandibule massive caracterise les Murinae herbivores et une mandibule gracile, celle des insectivores. Un processus angulaire fort par rapport au processus coronoide caracterise les granivores, et l'inverse caracterise les Murinae avec un regime base en grande partie sur une nourriture animale. Les differences de la forme de la mandibule sont clairement en rapport avec son fonctionnement et la nature des aliments. Chez un herbivore, la force a exercer au niveau des molaires est plus grande que chez un omnivore, ce qui expliquerait la massivite de la mandibule, chez un insectivore, l'allongement de la mandibule renvoie au role des incisives qui pincent et percent.

The Praomys complex contains some of the most important agricultural pests of Africa, including Mastomys species. We describe the development of nine supplementary microsatellite markers isolated from Mastomys huberti. We show the potential utility of M. huberti microsatellites as population markers for two other species of Mastomys, and two other species of the Praomys complex, Myomys daltoni and Praomys cf. rostratus.

The status and distribution of eastern African populations currently assigned to Hylomyscus denniae are reviewed based on morphological and morphometric comparisons. Three species are considered valid, each confined largely to wet montane forest above 2000 meters: H. denniae (Thomas, 1906) proper from the Ruwenzori Mountains in the northern Albertine Rift (west-central Uganda and contiguous D. R. Congo); H. vulcanorum Lonnberg & Gyldenstolpe, 1925 from mountains in the central Albertine Rift (southwestern Uganda, easternmost D. R. Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi); and H. endorobae (Heller, 1910) from mountains bounding the Gregory Rift Valley (west-central Kenya). Although endorobae has been interpreted as a small form of Praomys, additional data are presented that reinforce its membership within Hylomyscus and that clarify the status of Hylomyscus and Praomys as distinct genus-group taxa. The 12 species of Hylomyscus now currently recognized are provisionally arranged in six species groups (H. aeta, ...

Striped mice, Rhabdomys pumilio, were trapped over a period of 17 months in the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve, and placed in cages, over water, until all the ticks they harboured had detached. The mice were then returned to the reserve. Four ixodid tick species were recovered from the mice of which the larvae and nymphs of Rhipicephalus follis and Rhipicephalus simus were the most numerous. Most larvae of R. follis detached from mice trapped from March to July, and most nymphs in March and from June to September. Most larvae of R. simus detached from mice trapped from December to March, and most nymphs from January to March and during May and June. Seven ixodid tick species were collected from striped mice, house rats, Rattus rattus, vlei rats, Otomys spp. and Praomys sp. captured in the vicinity of human dwellings or animal holding facilities in the Grahamstown district. The striped mice captured in the Thomas Baines Reserve harboured considerably larger numbers of ticks than any of the rodent species in the more urbanized localit

We investigated the damage and yield loss caused by two rodent species, Arvicanthis niloticus and Mastomys (Praomys) natalensis, in cereal crops in fields near Kano, northern Nigeria from August, 1990 to April, 1992. Using the random cluster technique, we selected 100 clusters of 30 hills in each rice and wheat field, and assessed damage fortnightly, using the Cut Tiller Count method. In premature crops, damage increased from tillering stages to the dough stages. Differences in the percentages of damage (yield loss) in mature rice (4.8% in 1990 and 12.6% in 1991) and in wheat (30.0% in 1991 and 21.7% in 1992) were statistically significant between years. Severe yield losses in wheat, compared to low and moderate levels in rice (grown for the most part during the rains), were probably a result of greater consumption of the wheat, grown entirely by irrigation during the dry season when other rodent food sources were less abundant. Results of ANOVA showed significant effects of developmental stage of the cro...

Populations of coexisting tropical forest rodents Praomys jacksoni and P. (Hylomyscus) stella were investigated to test whether lower relative densities in regenerating forest compared with mature forest were because of poor health and/or reduced chances for females to breed. Relative frequencies, litter size, mass, length of embryos, presence or absence of ecto- and/ or endoparasites, and liver condition were recorded and analysed. Higher numbers of either species occurred in the mature compared with regenerating forest. Mottled livers and endoparasites were associated with heavier rodents; litter size related positively to mass of pregnant females in both species. Litter size, embryo size, sex ratios, liver condition, and infestation of ecto- and endoparasites were independent of forest and species. Apparently, reduced female density in regenerating forest had no breeding cost on individual females occurring there. Resume Les populations de rongeurs coexistants en foret tropicale Praomys jacksoni et P. (Hylomyscus) stella ont eteetudiees pour verifier si les densites relatives, plus faibles dans les forets en voie de regeneration que dans les forets mâtures, etaient dues a une moins bonne sante et/ou a de plus faibles chances de se reproduire pour les femelles. On a note et analyse les frequences relatives, la taille des portees, le poids, la taille des embryons, la presence ou l'absence d'ecto- et/ou d'endoparasites et l’etat du foie. On a constate des nombres plus importants des deux especes dans les forets mâtures que dans les forets en voie de regeneration. Des foies tachetes et des endoparasites etaient associes a des rongeurs plus lourds; la taille des portees etait positivement liee au poids des femelles pleines dans les deux especes. La taille de la portee, le poids des petits, le sex-ratio, l’etat du foie et l‘infestation par des ecto- et endoparasites etaient independants de la foret et de l'espece. Apparemment, la densite reduite des femelles dans la foret en voie de regeneration n'avait aucun impact sur la reproduction locale des femelles prises individuellement.

An animal model of experimental gastric Helicobacter pylori infection has been developed in the Z strain of Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis; this animal has been reported to develop gastric carcinoids and adenocarcinoma spontaneously. In the present study, male and female Mastomys were killed at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks after H. pylori inoculation. Colonisation of H. pylori was maintained in the stomachs of all animals for up to 16 weeks. H. pylori were mainly found in the antrum. Lymphoid infiltration appeared in the antral lamina propria and submucosa in all male and female animals from 4 to 16 weeks after inoculation. On microscopic examination after immunostaining for H. pylori, the organisms were detected in the antral mucus layer of the gastric epithelium. Serum immunoglobulin G specific for H. pylori could be detected 2 weeks after inoculation in female and 4 weeks after inoculation in male Mastomys, and persisted throughout the 16-week study period. At 18 months after inoculation, H. pylori positive rates for male and female Mastomys were 15 of 21 and 7 of 27, respectively. Carcinoids developed in 27 of 100 inoculated and in 49 of 100 uninoculated male, and in 5 of 100 inoculated and in 21 of 100 uninoculated female animals at 18 months after inoculation. Adenocarcinoma developed in 1 of 100 male Mastomys in both the inoculated and uninoculated groups, but in none of the female animals in either the inoculated or uninoculated groups. These results indicate that antrum-predominant colonisation by H. pylori caused the decrease in incidence of carcinoid formation in Mastomys.