Mystromys albicaudatus

29.

African White-tailed Rat

Mystromys albicaudatus

French: Mystromys a queue blanche / German: Afrikanische WeiRschwanzratte / Spanish: Rata de cola blanca africana

Other common names: Southern African Hamster, White-tailed Mouse

Taxonomy. Otomys albicaudatus A. Smith, 1834,

Albany District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to SW & E South Africa and Lesotho.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 116-199 mm, tail 46-87 mm, ear 18-28 mm, hindfoot 23-32 mm; weight 49-111 g. The African White-tailed Rat 1s medium-sized, with a shorttail. Fur is soft and dense, grayish brown dorsally and grayish white ventrally; each hair has dark gray base. Chin, throat, and upper chest are white. Ears are dark brown and rounded. Tail is short with dense white hairs above and below. Limbs are white, with four digits on forefeet and five digits on hindfeet.

Habitat. Montane and arid grasslands and “fynbos” (natural shrubland or heathland) typically above elevations of 1000 m but down to sea level in extreme south-western South Africa. The African White-tailed Rat appears to be a mid-successional specialist, usually appearing six months after fire and then disappearing after grassland reached climax. It also seems to favor relatively degraded habitats and is absent from grasslands with high ecological integrity.

Food and Feeding. Digestive system of the African White-tailed Rat suggests an omnivorous diet.

Breeding. Reproductive female African White-tailed Rats have been observed in wet and dry seasons but with reduced rates in late wet seasons and early dry seasons. Average litter size in captivity is 1-6 young; number of embryos in the wild is 3—4. Gestation is ¢.37 days. Neonates are c.6-5 g in weight and weaned after ¢.38 days. Young nipple-cling to 19 days of age. Females give birth at c.6 months, and intervals between births is ¢.36 days.

Activity patterns. The African White-tailed Rat is terrestrial and nocturnal. Individuals rest in burrows or cracks in soil during the day.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The African White-tailed Rat typically occurs at low densities.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The African White-tailed Rat is widely but sparsely distributed in a region that is poorly represented in the protected area network. Habitat loss and degradation are thought to be the most important threats.

Bibliography. Armstrong & van Hensbergen (1996), Avenant (2011), Avenant & Cavallini (2007), Avery (1992b), Dean (1978), De Graaff (1981), Downs & Perrin (1995), Hallett & Meester (1971), Hickman & Machiné (1986), Jansa et al. (1999), Lynch (1983), Maddock & Perrin (1981, 1983), Meester & Hallett (1970), Monadjem et al. (2015), O'Farrell et al. (2008), Perrin (2013b), Perrin & Kokkinn (1986), Perrin & Maddock (1983), Rautenbach (1982).