506.

Common Swamp Rat

Malacomys longipes

French: Malacomys du Gabon / German: Gemeine GroRohrSumpfratte / Spanish: Rata de cienaga comun

Other common names: Common Malacomys, Long-footed Swamp Rat, Big-eared Swamp Rat

Taxonomy. Malacomys longipes Milne-Edwards, 1877,

“Gaboon River, Gabon” (= vicinity of Ogooué River, Gabon).

Previously considered to include M. cansdalei but restricted to its current distribution by E. Van der Straeten and W. N. Verheyen in 1979. Genetically distinct from M. edwardsi and M. cansdalei. Monotypic.

Distribution. From extreme SE Nigeria E to the shores of Lake Victoria (including Bioko I) and S to extreme NE Angola and NW Zambia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 135-175 mm, tail 170-200 mm, ear 21-26 mm, hindfoot 34-39 mm; weight 94-120 g. The Common Swamp Rat is a medium-sized, slenderbuilt rodent with long hindfeet, large ears, a very long tail and soft, dense, velvety fur. Fur is medium to dark brown above and pale gray or milky 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; ears are elongated, naked and darkly pigmented, as well as mobile. Forefeet and hindfeet whitish and very long, with three central toes, longer than in Edwards’s Swamp Rat (M. edwardst) but mostly smaller than in Cansdale’s Swamp Rat (M. cansdaler). Females have three pairs of nipples. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 48, FNa = 48.

Habitat. Rainforest and neighboring cultivated areas in muddy zones close to streams and swamps. This species seems to be more aquatic and to favor damper habitats than does Edwards’s Swamp Rat.

Food and Feeding. Diet consists of vegetable matter and invertebrates such as insects, slugs, snails and earthworms; the proportion of vegetable matter and invertebrates varies considerably.

Breeding. In DR Congo, pregnant females were recorded throughout the year, in January, March, May, July, September and December. Litter size 1-5, varying geographically.

Activity patterns. Common Swamp Rats are terrestrial, nocturnal and aquatic, frequently swimming in streams.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Common Swamp Rats rest during the day in holes along riverbanks.

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

Bibliography. Bohoussou et al. (2015), Dubost (1968), Duplantier (1982), Genest-Villard (1980), Happold (2013a), Monadjem et al. (2015), Rahm (1966, 1970, 1972), Rautenbach & Schlitter (1978), Struhsaker (1997), Van der Straeten & Verheyen (1979b).