Hylomyscus pamfi Nicolas, Olayemi, Wendelen & Colyn, 2010

(Fig. 6)

Hylomyscus pamfi Nicolas, Olayemi, Wendelen & Colyn, 2010b: 38.

COMMON NAME. — Dahomey Gap Woodmouse.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary • 1 ♀; SMF 91364; 4.5 km N. Apesokubi (Fig. 6)• 1 ♂; ZTNHC 965 • 2♀; SMF 91434, USNM 590074. Kyabobo National Park • 1 ♂; SMF 91371• 1 ♀; SMF 91370. Kalakpa Resource Reserve • 1 ♂; USNM 590073.

REMARK

We follow Nicolas et al. (2010 b, 2020), Monadjem et al. (2015) and Denys et al. (2017) in assigning all Volta Region Hylomyscus Thomas, 1926 to the Dahomey Gap Woodmouse, H. pamfi, which we cross-checked by examining cytochrome b (Cytb) sequences for six of our seven specimens. Three Cytb haplotypes MT311308 - MT311310 were detected at the Apesokubi site, one at Kyabobo (MT311311) and one at Kalakpa (MT311307). These Cytb haplotypes showed a 100-95% identity to sequences reported from H. pamfi by Nicolas et al. (2020) from Benin. The nearest locality in Nicolas et al. (2010b) to our Volta Region study sites was Palimé in Togo, which is about 23 km from Wli Waterfall. Our study represents the first verification that H. pamfi is present in Ghana. There are four additional Hylomyscus specimens from the Volta Region at the USNM (listed as H. alleni (Waterhouse, 1838)), collected in 1968 by the African Mammal Project at Leklebi Agbesia. Hylomyscus pamfi is a forest species with good climbing ability. At least four of our specimens were captured on traps set on horizontal branches above ground, one at Apesokubi in an Umbrella tree (Musanga cecropioides R.Br.).

CONSERVATION STATUS. — Hylomyscus pamfi is currently listed as “Data Deficient” on the IUCN Red List.