Otomys lacustris

396.

Tanzanian Vlei Rat

Otomys lacustris

French: Otomys de Tanzanie / German: Tansania-Lamellenzahnratte / Spanish: Rata de laguna de Tanzania

Other common names: Lake Vlei Rat

Taxonomy. Otomys (Anchotomys) anchietae lacustris G. M. Allen & Loveridge, 1933,

“Madehani, Ukinga Mountains, north end of Lake Nyasa, Tanganyika Territory [= Tanzanial.”

Otomys lacustris previously was included in O. anchietae. Otomys lacustris from Southern Rift Mountains and Eastern Arc Mountains are paraphyletic based on mtDNA sequences. Monotypic.

Distribution. S Rift highlands of S Tanzania and neighbouring Zambia and Malawi, with undescribed cryptic species in Ukaguru, Uluguru, and Udzungwa Mts of Eastern Arc Mts, Tanzania.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 155-185 mm, tail 93-108 mm, ear 20-25 mm, hindfoot 30-32 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Tanzanian Vlei Rat is large and robust, with large blunt head, shorttail, and shaggy fur. Fur is dark blackish brown above, dark brown on flanks, and paler below. Upper and lower incisors each have single deep groove. M | has five laminae, and M? has six or occasionally seven laminae.

Habitat. Forest habitats close to streams at elevations of 1400-2300 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Tanzanian Vlei Rat is terrestrial and presumably diurnal or crepuscular.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Allen & Loveridge (1933), Dieterlen & Van der Straeten (1992), Happold (2013a), Monadjem et al. (2015), Taylor & Kumirai (2001), Taylor, Maree, van Sandwyk, Kerbis Peterhans et al. (2009).