21.

Cape Spiny Mouse

Acomys subspinosus

French: Acomys du Cap / German: Kap-Stachelmaus / Spanish: Raton espinoso de El Cabo

Taxonomy. Mus subspinosus Waterhouse, 1838,

“Cape of Good Hope,” South Africa.

According to F. Petter and J. Roche in 1981, A. subspinousis a distinct species, and it does not include A. wilson: and A. low sae. In a morphometric assessment, N. J. Dippenaar and I. L.. Rautenbach in 1986 confirmed its distinction from A. spinosissimus. A. subspinous is characterized by a set of unique dental and skull characteristics that allowed C. Denys and colleagues in 1994 to propose thatit belonged in the new subgenus Preacomys. Monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to the SW Western Cape Province, South Africa.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 73-102 mm, tail 65-89 mm, ear 9-15 mm, hindfoot 12-19 mm: weight 13-26 g. The Cape Spiny Mouse is rather small, with pale white belly and dark brown-gray dorsum. Spiny hairs are less abundant than on other species of Acomys, henceits specific epithet. Tail is ¢.95% of head-body length. Three pairs of mammae are present.

Habitat. Rocky mountainous habitats, rocky slopes, and ledges in South West Africa Cape Biozone (fynbos biome) up to elevations of 1000 m.

Food and Feeding. Cape Spiny Mice eat seeds almost exclusively, constituting 91-94% of their diets. Their scats contain pollen of species of Proteaceae (endemic fynbos plants), suggesting a role in pollination and regeneration.

Breeding. Reproduction occurs continuously throughout the year, with peaks following increases in resource availability. Gestation is more than 27 days, and mean litter size 1s three altricial young.

Activity patterns. The Cape Spiny Mouse is nocturnal and is adapted to survive cold temperatures and winter rainfall in the Cape region of South Africa.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Cape Spiny Mice can be locally abundant, reaching 13-7 ind/ha.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Nevertheless, impacts of alien species and human pressures on the Cape Spiny Mouse are unknown.

Bibliography. Dempster (2013), Dempster, Perrin & Nuttall (1992), Denys et al. (1994), Dippenaar & Rautenbach (1986), Fleming & Nicolson (2002), Nel et al. (1980), Perrin & Downs (1994), Petter & Roche (1981).