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).