605.

Dalton’s Soft-furred Mouse

Praomys daltoni

French: Praomys de Dalton / German: Dalton-Weichhaarratte / Spanish: Ratén de pelaje suave de Dalton

Other common names: Dalton’s Mouse, Dalton’'s Praomys

Taxonomy. Mus dalton: Thomas, 1892,

“W. Africa (probably Fernando Po).”

Corrected by O. Thomas in 1911 to “Upper

Nicola Coba, Gambia [= Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal, according to P. Grubb and colleagues in 1998]. 500° [= 182 m].”

Taxon derooi was initially described as a distinct species, but it is retained here in P daltoni based on genetic similarity. Monotypic.

Distribution. Mostly W Africa, extending in a narrow band from Senegal E to NW South Sudan, with outlying records in NE Mali, C Chad, and S Central African Republic.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 98-133 mm, tail 107-142 mm, ear 16-20 mm, hindfoot 20-25 mm; weight 24-66 g. Fur of Dalton’s Soft-furred Mouse is yellowish brown to chocolate-brown above, sharply demarcated along flanks and cheeks from pure white belly. The derooi form has gray venter, and the daltoniform has pure white venter. Tail is long (c.110% of head-body length), with small scales and appearing naked. Hindfeet and forefeet are white above, and hindfeet are rather short with relatively short fifth digit and long first digit. Females have five pairs of nipples. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 36 and FNa = 34.

Habitat. Savanna habitats, particularly with rocks and grass ( daltoni form) and around settlements and cultivated fields (deroo: form).

Food and Feeding. Dalton’s Soft-furred Mice are mainly granivorous. In Senegal, they prefer seeds of Trianthema portulacastrum ( Aizoaceae) throughout the year. Insects (mainly termites) are eaten at beginning of dryseason.

Breeding. In Nigeria, reproduction occurs year-round, but it is seasonal in Senegal and Ivory Coast. Gestation is 23 days. Litters have 3-10 young in captivity, and means of 3-6-5 embryos/female have been found in Ivory Coast.

Activity patterns. Dalton’s Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and at least partly arboreal, occupying nests in tree holes or under bark.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Densities fluctuate seasonally from 3 ind/ha (mid-dry season) and 10 ind/ha (mid-wet season) in southern Nigeria to 0-20 ind/ha over three years in south-eastern Senegal .

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. Anadu (1979b), Bryja et al. (2010), Gautun (1975), Grubb et al. (1998), Happold (2013a), Monadjem et al. (2015), Moro & Hubert (1983), Rosevear (1969), Thomas (1911d), Van der Straeten & Verheyen (1978b).