Heuglin striped grass mouse
| Heuglin striped grass mouse | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Lemniscomys zebra | ||||||||||||
| ( Heuglin , 1864) |
The Heuglin striped grass mouse ( Lemniscomys zebra ) is a rodent in the subfamily of Old World mice (Murinae) found in Africa . For a long time the population was listed as a subspecies or synonym of the Berber striped grass mouse ( Lemniscomys barbarus ). It has been recognized as a species since 1997. The taxon probably represents a species complex, which has to be confirmed in future studies.
features
The Heuglin striped grass mouse reaches a head-trunk length of 83 to 118 mm, a tail length of 110 to 137 mm and a weight of 24 to 49 g. The rear feet are 23 to 26 mm long. The upper side of the fur has a yellow-brown to brown basic color on which there are several light to white vertical stripes. As with the Berber striped grass mouse, these are not interrupted, which distinguishes both species from the other striped grass mouse. On the underside, the fur is cream-colored to white. The species has only three fully developed fingers on the front paws. The 13 to 18 mm long and rounded ears are covered with short reddish fur. The long, sparsely haired tail is dark on top and light on the underside.
distribution
The species inhabits the savannah belt south of the Sahara and north and east of the Congo Basin from Senegal in the west to Kenya and Tanzania in the east. In the mountains, the Heuglin striped grass mouse reaches a height of 1,220 meters. In addition to savannahs, the species visits tree-lined areas with an undergrowth of grass as well as cultivated landscapes .
Way of life
This rodent is mainly active during dawn and dusk. It usually moves on the ground or in low growth, as well as on branches that lie on the ground. Usually the individuals are sighted singly or in pairs. The Heuglin striped grass mouse probably feeds on parts of plants like other members of the genus. Two females found were pregnant with 5 embryos each .
status
No significant threats are known to the population. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Lemniscomys zebra ).
- ↑ a b c Lemniscomys zebra in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2008. Posted by: van der Straeten, E., 2008. Accessed November 9, 2016th
- ^ A b Kingdon, Jonathan: Mammals of Africa. 6 volumes. 2013, A&C Black, pp. 454-455, ISBN 9781408122549 . Zebra Grass Mouse