Otomys

Otomys irroratus

The lamellar tooth rats or African swamp rats ( Otomys ) are a rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ). They comprise about 20 species living in Africa.

Features

Lamellar tooth rats reach a body length of 12 to 21 centimeters and additionally there is a 6 to 15 inch long tail. Your weight is between 60 and 260 grams. Their coat is long and shaggy, its color varies from light gray to dark brown, the underside is lighter. The relatively short tail is covered with dense hair. Their bodies are stocky, the head is rounded, they resemble the voles. Named giving feature is the laminate constructed molars, located next to the gnawing teeth each a conspicuous furrow.

Distribution and habitat

These rodents are located in sub-Saharan Africa, their range extends from Nigeria and southern Sudan to South Africa. They occur in a variety of habitats, but prefer moist habitats. So they can be found in marshes and grasslands, but sometimes also in savannas and in the mountains up to 4000 meters altitude.

Way of life

Lamellar tooth rats may be diurnal and nocturnal, but often they are observed during twilight. Many species build nests of leaves and twigs, others use burrows as shelter. For faster progress they lay trails in the dense grass, in the case of threat they can also escape into the water. Most species are likely to live solitary or at most in pairs. They are herbivores, feeding on grasses, herbs and other things.

Up to five times a year the female can bring one to four pups after a 40 -day gestation period.

Several species are endangered, especially those whose circulation area covers only a single mountain, such as the Mount Elgon or the Mount Cameroon. The IUCN lists a total of four species as "endangered" ( vulnerable ) or " high risk " ( endangered ), but does not recognize all the species listed below.

System

The lamellar tooth rats, together with the closely related genera Myotomys and Karru rats ( Parotomys ) a generic group that were formerly listed in the rank of a suitable subfamily, Otomyinae. However, according to genetic studies, they are closely related to various African groups of the genus Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ), about the Arvicanthis group and are therefore also included in the Altweltmäuse.

There are 19 species are known ( by Carleton & Musser, 2005):

• Otomys anchietae lives in northern and central Angola.
• Otomys angoniensis is widespread in eastern and southern Africa.
• Otomys barbouri inhabited the volcano Mount Elgon in the Ugandan- Kenyan border. The species is considered " critically endangered ".
• Otomys burtoni is only from Mount Cameroon in Cameroon known. This species is " critically endangered ".
• Otoyms cuanzensis occurs in the central Angola.
• Otomys dartmouthi lives in Uganda Rwenzori Mountains.
• Otomys denti inhabited different mountain countries in eastern Africa.
• Otomys dollmani is known only from Mount Gargues in Kenya.
• Otomys irroratus is found in southern Africa.
• Otomys jacksoni lives on Mount Elgon in the Ugandan- Kenyan border.
• Otomys lacustris inhabited mountain countries in eastern Africa. The species is considered "at risk".
• Otomys laminatus is native to South Africa.
• Otomys maximus lives in the Okavango region in southern Africa.
• Otomys occidentalis lives on mountains in the Nigerian- Cameroon border area. The species is considered "at risk".
• Otomys orestes occurs in Kenya and Tanzania.
• Otomys saundersiae is native only in South Africa.
• Otomys tropicalis is distributed from southern Sudan to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Otomys typus inhabited the highlands of Ethiopia up to 4000 meters altitude.
• Otomys uzungwensis lives in the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania.