Grammomys

The acacia mice ( Grammomys ), also known as African bush mice are a domiciled exclusively in Africa genus of long-tailed mice.

General

These slim mice weighing between 18 and 65 grams, the head-body length is about 9.7 to 14 inches, the tail is 14 to 20 inches long and hairy at the top. The color varies between the upper side reddish- brown to yellowish. The white bottom is clearly separated from the top. Externally, the acacia mice of the very similar thicket rats by the relatively longer tail, narrow hind feet and usually paler ground color can be distinguished.

Three previously studied species ( G. rutilans, G. cometes, G. dolichurus ) inhabit high grasslands, wet forests and areas with secondary vegetation. All three are nocturnal and arboreal. The nests are in tree holes, buildings or Pflanzenknäulen at a height of 0.5 to 4 meters above the ground. The type Grammomys dolichurus has become an important experimental animal in malaria research and therefore relatively well researched. It feeds mainly on green stems, fruits, nuts, flowers and other herbal ingredients, but also eats insects. This species lives solitarily. The female gives birth, especially in the wet months, every 5 to 6 weeks a litter of usually two to four young.

System

The acacia mice were often seen only as a subgenus of the thicket rats ( Thamnomys ). Studies of mitochondrial DNA, however, they bring in the direct proximity to the African bush rats ( Aethomys ). Wilson & Reeder (2005) assign them to the group to Oenomys. According to genetic studies of Lecompte et al. (2008) they are part of a primarily African radiation of Altweltmäuse, which are summarized as Arvicanthini.

Wilson & Reeder (2005) distinguish the following twelve species:

• Grammomys aridulus is known only from one locality in western Sudan.
• Grammomys buntingi is a very rare species that occurs from Senegal to the Ivory Coast.
• Grammomys caniceps lives on the coast of Somalia and Kenya.
• Grammomys cometes occurs in eastern Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique and north-eastern South Africa.
• Grammomys dolichurus comes in eastern Africa from Sudan to South Africa before.
• Grammomys dyas inhabited the Ruwenzori and Kivu region in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Burundi.
• Grammomys gigas lives in Kenya only in the area of Mount Kenya.
• Grammomys ibeanus is spread along the East African grave breach of southern Sudan to Malawi.
• Grammomys kuru inhabited the Congo Basin of the Central African Republic to Uganda.
• Grammomys macmillani has a fragmented deposits from Sudan to Tanzania, perhaps the species lives in western Africa.
• Grammomys minnae is endemic in Ethiopia.
• Grammomys poensis is widespread in West Africa from Guinea to Angola.

G. kuru and G. poensis are often combined together to form. However, the former name of this kind, G. rutilans is invalid.

The IUCN lists G. gigas as " critically endangered " ( endangered ), G. minnae considered "at risk " ( vulnerable ) and G. dyas as "low risk" ( near threatened ). For aridulus G., G. and G. buntingi caniceps " too little data are available" ( data deficient ), the other species are " not at risk " ( least concern ).