Mount Elgon vlei rat

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Mount Elgon vlei rat
OtomysJacksoniSmit.jpg
O. jacksoni illustrated by Joseph Smit
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae
Genus: Otomys
Species:
O. jacksoni
Binomial name
Otomys jacksoni
Thomas, 1891 [2]
Synonyms [3]
  • Otomys jacksoni jacksoni Allen, 1939
  • Otomys typus jacksoniBohmann, 1952
  • Otomys typus [jacksoni] Misonne, 1974
  • Otomys irroratus [jacksoni] Delany, 1975

The Mount Elgon vlei rat (Otomys jacksoni) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is endemic to Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano situated on the border between west-central Kenya and south-eastern Uganda. As of 2021, it is considered near threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and is under threat from fires and unsustainable resource extraction by humans. [1]

Contents

Description

O. jacksoni is medium to large in size and robust, resembling a vole, with a large rounded head, short tail, and shaggy brownish-black fur. The tail is dark on top but greyish white underneath. The lower incisors each have a pair of deep grooves. [2] [4]

Distribution and habitat

O. jacksoni is found only on Mount Elgon, where it inhabits alpine meadows at altitudes of 3,300–4,200 m (10,800–13,800 ft) above sea level. The entire range of this species is located within Mount Elgon National Park. [1]

Taxonomy and history

O. jacksoni was first described by British zoologist Oldfield Thomas based on three specimens collected from Mount Elgon in 1890 by Frederick John Jackson, from whose name the specific epithet jacksoni is derived. Thomas noted the similarity between these specimens and the existing species Otomys irroratus , but considered O. jacksoni to be a novel species due to the distinctive pair of grooves on the lower incisors. [2] A 1952 paper proposed that O. jacksoni was actually a subspecies of O. typus , however, this was disputed by subsequent authors, and O. jacksoni was reinstated as a valid species in 2005. [3]

Heller's vlei rat (Otomys helleri) was originally described as a subspecies of O. jacksoni, O. jacksoni helleri, but was elevated to species rank in 2011. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murinae</span> Subfamily of rodents

The Old World rats and mice, part of the subfamily Murinae in the family Muridae, comprise at least 519 species. Members of this subfamily are called murines. In terms of species richness, this subfamily is larger than all mammal families except the Cricetidae and Muridae, and is larger than all mammal orders except the bats and the remainder of the rodents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackson's mongoose</span> Species of mongoose from Central Africa

Jackson's mongoose is a mongoose species native to montane forests in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It appears to be rare and has been classified as Near Threatened since 2008.

<i>Otomys</i> Genus of rodents

African vlei rats (Otomys), also known as groove-toothed rats, live in many areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Most species live in marshlands, grasslands, and similar habitats and feed on the vegetation of such areas, occasionally supplementing it with roots and seeds. The name "vlei" refers to the South African term for intermittent, seasonal, or perennial bodies of standing water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern African vlei rat</span> Species of rodent

The Southern African vlei rat is a species of rodent in the vlei rat genus, Otomys, of the family Muridae in the order Rodentia. This is the type species of the genus. It is native to the grasslands and swamps of southern Africa where it is a common species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afroalpine vlei rat</span> Species of rodent

The afroalpine vlei rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in the high moorlands of Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sloggett's vlei rat</span> Species of rodent

Sloggett's vlei rat or ice rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in southern Lesotho and South Africa where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, swamps, and rocky areas. Its name commemorates Col. Arthur Sloggett who served in South Africa and collected at Deelfontein in 1902. This is a common species and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as being of "least concern".

The Ethiopian vlei rat is a species of vlei rat in the rodent family Muridae. It is found only in Ethiopia and is considered endemic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bush vlei rat</span> Species of rodent

The bush vlei rat or Karoo bush rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in Namibia and South Africa. Its natural habitat is temperate shrubland. The Karoo rat uses behavioral adaptations to cope with the dry arid climate. It is a medium-sized rodent with a dark pelage on top and lighter underneath. It has light colored feet and a dark tail. The rat may have light colored fur around its eyes and the back of its ears.

The Cheesman's vlei rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is considered endemic to northwestern Ethiopia.

The Simien vlei rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in northern Ethiopia.

The Yalden's vlei rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in the Bale Mountains, in southwestern Ethiopia.

Thomas's vlei rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is endemic to Kenya's high plateau mountains of the Rift Valley.

Mount Kilimanjaro vlei rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in north-eastern Tanzania, on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Charada vlei rat is a species of rodent in the family of Muridae. It is endemic to southwestern Ethiopia.

Heller's vlei rat is a species of rodent in the family of Muridae. It is endemic to Ethiopia and is found on the Arussi Plateau and the Bale Mountains.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Taylor, P.; Relton, C. (2021). "Otomys jacksoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . International Union for the Conservation of Nature: e.T45064A22397195. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T45064A22397195.en. S2CID   245166835 . Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 Thomas, Oldfield (1891). "On a Collection of small Mammals made by Mr. F. J. Jackson in Eastern Africa". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London . Zoological Society of London. 59 (2): 181–185. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1891.tb01735.x. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2023– via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. 1 2 3 Taylor, Peter J.; Lavrenchenko, Leonid A.; Carleton, Michael D.; Verheyen, Erik; Bennett, Nigel C.; Oosthuizen, Carel J.; Maree, Sarita (2011). "Specific limits and emerging diversity patterns in East African populations of laminate-toothed rats, genus Otomys (Muridae: Murinae: Otomyini): Revision of the Otomys typus complex". Zootaxa . Magnolia Press. 3024 (1): 1–64. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3024.1.1. hdl:2263/18125. ISSN   1175-5334. OCLC   49030618.
  4. ↑ Wilson, Don E.; Mittermeier, Russell A.; Thomas E. Lacher, Jr (2017). "Otomys jacksoni, Thomas, 1891". TreatmentBank. Plazi. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6868610. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
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