Dasymys

The Shaggy swamp rats ( Dasymys ) are a rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ). Depending on the system five to nine types can be distinguished.

General

The shaggy swamp rats are stocky, heavily built Altweltmäuse. They reach a body length 11-19 cm, including another 10 to 19 centimeters long tail comes. The weight varies between 50 and 150 grams. The coat is often, but not always long and shaggy, his coloration varies from olive brown to dark gray, the underside is usually whitish or light brown. The almost hairless tail is usually slightly shorter than the trunk. The ears are small and round.

These rodents are located in sub-Saharan Africa, their range extends from Senegal and Ethiopia to South Africa. They usually live in moist habitats such as swamps or reeds, sometimes come but also in forests or savannas. They are primarily nocturnal and stay mostly on the ground - they can swim well, but can not climb. They build domed grass nests, which are often associated with an up to 2 meters long earthworks. The shaggy swamp rats feed primarily on aquatic plants, to a lesser extent, they also take insects to him.

System

According to Wilson & Reeder (2005) take the shaggy Swamprat within the Altweltmäuse an isolated position and are therefore classified in a separate genus group of Dasymys group. According to genetic studies of Lecompte et al. (2008), these animals are part of a primarily African radiation of Altweltmäuse, which also includes the Arvicanthis group and others are expected and which are summarized as Arvicanthini.

The internal classification of this genus is disputed. Wilson & Reeder (2005) lists the following nine types:

• Dasymys alleni lives in the southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and southwestern Tanzania.
• Dasymys cabrali occurs in the Okavango Basin in southern Africa.
• Dasymys foxi is endemic in the Jos Plateau in Nigeria.
• Dasymys incomtus inhabited eastern and southern Africa.
• Dasymys montanus is endemic in the Ruwenzori mountains in Uganda.
• Dasymys nudipes lives only in Angola.
• Dasymys rufulus comes in western Africa from Senegal to Nigeria before.
• Dasymys rwandae inhabited the area of the Virunga Volcanoes in Rwanda.
• Dasymys sua is endemic to Tanzania.

Information on the degree of exposure are difficult because the IUCN recognizes only five species. It lists D. montanus as " critically endangered " ( endangered ).