African furrow tooth rats
| African furrow tooth rats | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Mylomys | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1906 |
The African furrow tooth rats ( Mylomys ) are a genus of rodents from the group of old world mice (Murinae). The genus includes two types.
These rodents have a relatively long fur , which is yellowish-gray on the top and whitish-beige on the underside. Her physique is stocky, her hands and feet have only three functional toes. The eponymous feature is the furrowed upper incisor teeth , the lower incisor teeth lack this furrow. African furrow tooth rats reach a head body length of 12 to 19 centimeters, the tail measures 10 to 18 centimeters and the weight is 50 to 190 grams.
The animals are widespread in central Africa - from Guinea to Uganda and Ethiopia . They inhabit moist, grassy areas and occur up to 2400 meters above sea level. They are predominantly diurnal and feed on grass and stems.
There are two types:
- Mylomys dybowskii is the more widespread species, it occurs from Guinea to Uganda. According to the IUCN , it is not at risk.
- Mylomys rex is only known from southwestern Ethiopia. It is unclear whether this is actually a separate species.
They are systematically classified within the old world mice in the Arvicanthis group .
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
- Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .