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Fiery Spiny Mouse

Acomys ignitus

French: Acomys de Dollman / German: Feuerrote Stachelmaus / Spanish: Ratén espinoso fogoso

Taxonomy. Acomys ignitus Dollman, 1910,

Voi, Kenya.

Some authors considered A. ignitus a subspecies of A. dimidiatus, but A. ignitus was recognized as a valid species in 1940 based on morphology; chromosomal and molecular aspects subsequently supported its distinct status. Three subspecies were recognized by J. R. Ellerman in 1941: ignitus, montanus, and pulchellus; the last two were transferred to A. kempi by G. G.Musser and M. D. Carleton in 2005. Monotypic.

Distribution. E & S Kenya and NE Tanzania.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 92-114 mm, tail 70-85 mm, ear 14-5—-19 mm, hindfoot 13-19 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Fiery Spiny Mouse is the most colorful species of Acomys, with bright orange-red dorsal and flank pelage and pure white belly. Spiny hairs are found on head, shoulders, and back but are largest on rump. Tail is ¢.77% of head-body length. Chromsomal complementis 2n = 50 and FN = 66-68.

Habitat. Somali-Masai bushland, mainly rocky areas in dry savannas and semi-deserts, at elevations of 100-800 m.

Food and Feeding. The Fiery Spiny Mouse might be insectivorous.

Breeding. Litters of Fiery Spiny Mice have 1-2 young.

Activity patterns. The Fiery Spiny Mouse is terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Fiery Spiny Mice occur in Tsavo East and Tsavo West national parks.

Bibliography. Barome et al. (2000), Denys et al. (1994), Ellerman (1941), Matthey (1965), Monadjem et al. (2015), Musser & Carleton (2005), Petter (1983), Setzer (1975), Verheyen et al. (2011).