547.

Ubangui Mouse

Mus oubanguii

French: Souris de "Oubangui / German: Ubangi-Zwergmaus / Spanish: Ratén de Ubangui Taxonomy. Mus oubanguii Petter & Genest, 1970,

Bangassou near Lake Maboké (near Mongoumba), Central African Republic. Based on proodont incisors, considered to be part of the M. sorella species group, from which it can be distinguished based on its reddish-brown dorsal coloration and blackish, slightly pointed ears. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known from just three locali-ties in S Central African Republic.

Descriptive notes. LL 50-69 mm, tail 2641 mm, ear 9-13 mm, hindfoot 13— 14 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Very small mouse with short tail. Fur is reddish-brown above and pure white below and on chin. Tail is short (c.60% of head-body length). Ears large, blackish, slightly pointed, withlarge postauricular white spot. Feet white. Females have five pairs of nipples. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 28, FN variable.

Habitat. Sandy savanna patches on slightly lateritic soils, near forest.

Food and Feeding. In captivity, the Ubangui Mouse feeds on seeds and insects.

Breeding. Limited data indicate births in May and June (other months not sampled); litter size 4-5.

Activity patterns. Ubangui Mice are nocturnal and terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Ubangui Mouse makes simple underground burrows, where young are born in spherical nest chambers, lined with vegetation. Apart from females with their litters, individuals nest alone.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Genest-Villard (1973), Happold (2013a), Monadjem et al. (2015), Petter (1981), Petter & Genest (1970).