18.

Nguru Spiny Mouse

Acomys ngurui

French: Acomys des Nguru / German: Nguru-Stachelmaus / Spanish: Ratén espinoso de Nguru

Other common names: Coastal Forest Spiny Mouse

Taxonomy. Acomys ngurui W. N. Verheyen et al., 2011,

Nguru Ya Ndege, Tanzania.

Acomys ngurui was recently described after molecular and morphometric revision of the A. spinosissimus complex. Acomys nguruiz has considerablekaryological variability. C. Denys and colleagues in 2011 found 2n = 62, FNa = 78 in Kingu Pira (Selous Game Reserve entrance) and 2n = 59-61, FNa = 68 in Dakawa, east-central Tanzania. W. N. Verheyen and colleagues in 2011 found 2n = 59-60, FNa = 68 at the type locality and 2n = 60, FNa = 68 at other localities. R. Castiglia and F. Annesi in 2012 described sex chromosome polymorphism at an intraspecific level. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from Tanzania, E of Eastern Arc Mts; it may also occur in N Mozambique.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 73-104 mm, tail 62-90 mm, ear 11-16 mm, hindfoot 12-18 mm; weight 13-30 g. The Nguru Spiny Mouse is very similar to the Eastern Arc Spiny Mouse ( A. muzei), but it has a relatively shorter (¢.84% of head-body lenght) tail.

Habitat. Various habitats including dry wooded savanna with scattered miombo ( Brachystegia, Fabaceae) woodland and gully forest, frequently exposed to fire, up to elevation of 1100 m; fallow and cultivated land; and swamp close to cultivated fields. The Nguru Spiny Mouse was 2:3-4-2% of the total rodent population in cultivated fields and fallows in central Tanzania.

Food and Feeding. Like other species of Acomys, the Nguru Spiny Mouse is probably an opportunist feeder.

Breeding. Nguru Spiny Mice are most abundant during the wet season (February-March) in Tanzania.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not yet assessed on The IUCN Red List. Presence and abundance of the Nguru Spiny Mouse in cultivated areas and the buffer zone of Selous Game Reserve suggest that a classification of Least Concern could be appropriate.

Bibliography. Castiglia & Annesi (2012), Denys et al. (2011), Makundi et al. (2010), Verheyen et al. (2011).