Malacomys cansdalei

507.

Cansdale’s Swamp Rat

Malacomys cansdalei

French: Malacomys de Cansdale / German: Cansdale-GrolRohr-Sumpfratte / Spanish: Rata de ciénaga de Cansdale

Other common names: Cansdale’'s Malacomys

Taxonomy. Malacomys longipes cansdalei Ansell, 1958,

Oda, Ghana.

Previously listed as a western representative of Central AfricanM. longipes but elevated to a full species by E. Van der Straeten and W. N. Verheyen in 1979. A recent molecular work confirmed the validity of this species and its geographical distribution. M. cansdalei is genetically and morphologically closer to M. longipes lineages than either is to M. edwardsi. Monotypic.

Distribution. Upper Guinea Forest of W Africa, from E Liberia E through Ivory Coast to Ghana, W of the Volta River.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 133-162 mm,tail 178-208 mm, ear 27-31, hindfoot 40 44 mm; weight 63-101 g. Cansdale’s Swamp Rat is a medium-sized, slender-built rodent with long hindfeet, large ears, a verylong tail and soft, dense, velvety fur. Fur is cinnamon above and white tinged in places with gray below, notably on the throat, chest and chin. Tail is very long (c.136% of head-body length), thin, naked, dark above and pale below. Muzzle is elongated with long vibrissae eyes are large; and ears are elongated, naked and darkly pigmented, as well as mobile. Females have three pairs of nipples.

Habitat. Rainforest in muddy areas,close to streams and swamps.

Food and Feeding. Diet consists of vegetable matter, earthworms, and slugs.

Breeding. A pregnant female (the holotype) was collected in February.

Activity patterns. Cansdale’s Swamp Rats are terrestrial and nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Ansell (1958), Bohoussou et al. (2015), Cole (1972, 1975), Happold (2013a), Monadjem et al. (2015), Rautenbach & Schlitter (1978), Van der Straeten & Verheyen (1979b).