383.

Simien Vlei Rat

Otomys simiensis

French: Otomys des Simien / German: Simien-Lamellenzahnratte / Spanish: Rata de laguna de Simien

Taxonomy. Otomys simiensis P. |. Taylor et al, 2011,

vicinity of Sankaber campsite, 3250 m, Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia.

Otomys simiensis previously was included in O. typus but is only distantly related to it. Monotypic.

Distribution. Simien Mts, N Ethiopia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 135- 172 mm, tail 77-88 mm, ear 18-22 mm, hindfoot 24-26 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Simien Vlei Rat is large and robust, with large blunt head, short tail, and shaggy fur. Fur is dark brown above and pale gray below. Because of preponderance of dark-tipped guard hairs, fur has distinct double-layered effect. Tail is short (¢.53% of head-body length) and bicolored. Lowerincisors each with two deep grooves. M has four laminae, and M” has seven laminae. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 54 and FN = 56.

Habitat. Tree-heather habitats with open grassland patches.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Simien Vlei Rat is presumably diurnal or crepuscular.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Monadjem et al. (2015), Taylor et al. (2011).