White-tailed short-headed rat

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White-tailed short-headed rat
Systematics
Family : Long-tailed mice (Muridae)
Subfamily : Old World Mice (Murinae)
Tribe : Praomyini
Stenocephalemys group
Genre : Ethiopian short-headed rats ( Stenocephalemys )
Type : White-tailed short-headed rat
Scientific name
Stenocephalemys albocaudatus
Frick , 1914

The white-tailed short-headed rat ( Stenocephalemys albocaudatus ) is a rodent in the subfamily of Old World mice (Murinae) that is found in Ethiopia .

The distinguishing feature is the white tail, which is only sparsely covered with almost invisible hair. The species has soft fur and is the largest representative of the genus Ethiopian short-headed rats . It reaches a head body length of 10.6 to 19.5 cm, a tail length of 11.2 to 17.5 cm and a weight of 83 to 198 g. The hind feet are 2.1 to 3.6 cm long and the length of the ears is 2.4 to 3.2 cm. A yellow line separates the dark sand-colored fur on the upper side from the light gray to white underside. Other hallmarks are gray ears, dark circles and white feet. There are five pairs of teats in females .

The white-tailed short-headed rat lives in the Somali highlands between 3000 and 4377 meters above sea level. It can be found in moors and in hilly terrain that is dominated by plants of the genera lady's mantle ( Alchemilla ), Artemisia and everlasting flowers ( Helichrysum ).

According to the few available studies, the species is nocturnal and ground dwelling. Reproduction takes place between May and October in the wetter season. Females give birth to an average of 3.6 offspring per litter.

There are currently no plans to change the range of the species. The IUCN lists the white-tailed short-headed rat as Least Concern .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ 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, Stenocephalemys albocaudata ).
  2. ^ A b Wilson, Lacher Jr. & Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World . 7 - Rodents II. Lynx Edicions, 2017, ISBN 978-84-16728-04-6 , pp. 801 (English).
  3. ↑ a b Stenocephalemys albocaudata in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2018 Posted by: Lavrenchenko, L. & Schlitter, D., 2016. Retrieved on July 14 of 2019.