Dendromurinae
Encyclopedia
Dendromurinae is a subfamily of rodent
s in the family Nesomyidae
and superfamily Muroidea
. The dendromurines are currently restricted to Africa
, as is the case for all extant members of the family Nesomyidae
. The authorship of the subfamily has been contributed to both Alston, 1876, and (incorrectly) to G. M. Allen
, 1939.
Two genera
, Dendromus
and Steatomys
, are relatively common throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa
. The remaining genera are relatively rare and have restricted geographic distributions.
The link rat, Deomys ferugineus, has been traditionally placed in this subfamily, but molecular phylogenetic
studies have shown that it is more related to the spiny mice, genus Acomys. The link rat is now placed in the family Muridae
and subfamily Deomyinae
. Only two of the currently recognized dendromurine genera, Dendromus
and Steatomys
, have been studied in molecular analyses. Considering how distinct these genera are from one another, the placement of all other dendromurine genera should be considered tentative pending closer examination. Another rare genus of "dendromurines", Leimacomys, has recently been placed in a new subfamily (Leimacomyinae) in the family Muridae
(Musser and Carleton, 2005).
Fossil
s attributed to the Dendromurinae are known from Asia
as early as 15 million years ago
. It has been thought that dendromurines invaded Africa from there and went extinct in Asia due to competition with other muroids
. The same may be holding true at present in Africa as the dendromurines have declined there since the invasion of murines
and other muroids
.
The subfamily Dendromurinae contains 6 genera and 25 species.
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
s in the family Nesomyidae
Nesomyidae
Nesomyidae is a family of African rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. It includes several subfamilies, all of which are native to either continental Africa or to Madagascar...
and superfamily Muroidea
Muroidea
Muroidea is a large superfamily of rodents. It includes hamsters, gerbils, true mice and rats, and many other relatives. They occupy a vast variety of habitats on every continent except Antarctica. Some authorities have placed all members of this group into a single family, Muridae, due to...
. The dendromurines are currently restricted to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, as is the case for all extant members of the family Nesomyidae
Nesomyidae
Nesomyidae is a family of African rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. It includes several subfamilies, all of which are native to either continental Africa or to Madagascar...
. The authorship of the subfamily has been contributed to both Alston, 1876, and (incorrectly) to G. M. Allen
Glover Morrill Allen
Glover Morrill Allen was an American zoologist.He was born at Walpole, New Hampshire, the son of Reverend Nathaniel Glover Allen and Harriet Ann Allen, and studied at Harvard University,...
, 1939.
Two genera
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
, Dendromus
Dendromus
Mice in the genus Dendromus are commonly referred to as African climbing mice or tree mice, although these terms are often used to describe all members of the subfamily Dendromurinae...
and Steatomys
Steatomys
Steatomys is a genus of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It contains the following species:* Bocage's African Fat Mouse * Northwestern Fat Mouse * Dainty Fat Mouse...
, are relatively common throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. The remaining genera are relatively rare and have restricted geographic distributions.
The link rat, Deomys ferugineus, has been traditionally placed in this subfamily, but molecular phylogenetic
Molecular phylogeny
Molecular phylogenetics is the analysis of hereditary molecular differences, mainly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. The result of a molecular phylogenetic analysis is expressed in a phylogenetic tree...
studies have shown that it is more related to the spiny mice, genus Acomys. The link rat is now placed in the family Muridae
Muridae
Muridae is the largest family of mammals. It contains over 600 species found naturally throughout Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. They have been introduced worldwide. The group includes true mice and rats, gerbils, and relatives....
and subfamily Deomyinae
Deomyinae
The subfamily Deomyinae consists of four genera of mouse-like rodents that were placed in the subfamilies Murinae and Dendromurinae until very recently. They are sometimes called Acomyinae, particularly in references that predate the discovery that the link rat, Deomys ferugineus, is part of the...
. Only two of the currently recognized dendromurine genera, Dendromus
Dendromus
Mice in the genus Dendromus are commonly referred to as African climbing mice or tree mice, although these terms are often used to describe all members of the subfamily Dendromurinae...
and Steatomys
Steatomys
Steatomys is a genus of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It contains the following species:* Bocage's African Fat Mouse * Northwestern Fat Mouse * Dainty Fat Mouse...
, have been studied in molecular analyses. Considering how distinct these genera are from one another, the placement of all other dendromurine genera should be considered tentative pending closer examination. Another rare genus of "dendromurines", Leimacomys, has recently been placed in a new subfamily (Leimacomyinae) in the family Muridae
Muridae
Muridae is the largest family of mammals. It contains over 600 species found naturally throughout Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. They have been introduced worldwide. The group includes true mice and rats, gerbils, and relatives....
(Musser and Carleton, 2005).
Fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
s attributed to the Dendromurinae are known from Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
as early as 15 million years ago
Miocene
The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about . The Miocene was named by Sir Charles Lyell. Its name comes from the Greek words and and means "less recent" because it has 18% fewer modern sea invertebrates than the Pliocene. The Miocene follows the Oligocene...
. It has been thought that dendromurines invaded Africa from there and went extinct in Asia due to competition with other muroids
Muroidea
Muroidea is a large superfamily of rodents. It includes hamsters, gerbils, true mice and rats, and many other relatives. They occupy a vast variety of habitats on every continent except Antarctica. Some authorities have placed all members of this group into a single family, Muridae, due to...
. The same may be holding true at present in Africa as the dendromurines have declined there since the invasion of murines
Murinae
The Old World rats and mice, part of the subfamily Murinae in the family Muridae, comprise at least 519 species. This subfamily is larger than all mammal families except the Cricetidae and Muridae, and is larger than all mammal orders except the bats and the remainder of the...
and other muroids
Muroidea
Muroidea is a large superfamily of rodents. It includes hamsters, gerbils, true mice and rats, and many other relatives. They occupy a vast variety of habitats on every continent except Antarctica. Some authorities have placed all members of this group into a single family, Muridae, due to...
.
The subfamily Dendromurinae contains 6 genera and 25 species.
Classification
Subfamily Dendromurinae - Climbing mice- Genus DendromusDendromusMice in the genus Dendromus are commonly referred to as African climbing mice or tree mice, although these terms are often used to describe all members of the subfamily Dendromurinae...
- Climbing mice- Remarkable Climbing MouseRemarkable Climbing MouseThe Remarkable Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda....
, Dendromus insignis - Mount Kahuzi Climbing MouseMount Kahuzi climbing mouseThe Mount Kahuzi climbing mouse is a rodent found only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is listed as a critically endangered species due to illegal logging; it is also threatened by fire. Only two specimens have ever been found. Both were found within 100m of each other on Mount Kahuzi...
, Dendromus kahuziensis - Monard's African Climbing MouseMonard's African Climbing MouseMonard's African Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is endemic to east-central Angola, but only recorded in the type locality of Caluquembe. The IUCN red list of threatened species lists this as a synonym for the Gray Climbing Mouse....
, Dendromus leucostomus - Lovat's Climbing MouseLovat's Climbing MouseLovat's Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found only in Ethiopia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
, Dendromus lovati - Gray Climbing MouseGray Climbing MouseThe Gray Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural...
, Dendromus melanotis - Brant's Climbing MouseBrant's Climbing MouseBrant's Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia....
, Dendromus mesomelas - Banana Climbing MouseBanana Climbing MouseThe Banana Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Togo....
, Dendromus messorius - Chestnut Climbing MouseChestnut Climbing MouseThe Chestnut Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural habitats are dry savanna and moist...
, Dendromus mystacalis - Kivu Climbing MouseKivu Climbing MouseThe Kivu Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia....
, Dendromus nyasae (kivu) - Nyika Climbing MouseNyika Climbing MouseThe Nyika Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
, Dendromus nyikae - Cameroon Climbing MouseCameroon Climbing MouseThe Cameroon Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found only in Cameroon.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
, Dendromus oreas - Dendromus ruppi
- Vernay's Climbing MouseVernay's Climbing MouseVernay's Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found only in Angola.Its natural habitat is moist savanna.-References:* Dieterlen, F. 2004. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
, Dendromus vernayi
- Remarkable Climbing Mouse
- Genus Megadendromus
- Nikolaus's MouseNikolaus's MouseNikolaus's Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family. It is the only species in the genus Megadendromus.It is found only in Ethiopia....
, Megadendromus nikolausi
- Nikolaus's Mouse
- Genus Dendroprionomys
- Velvet Climbing MouseVelvet Climbing MouseThe Velvet Climbing Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found only in Republic of the Congo.-References:...
, Dendroprionomys rousseloti
- Velvet Climbing Mouse
- Genus Prionomys
- Dollman's Climbing Mouse, Prionomys batesi
- Genus MalacothrixMalacothrixMalacothrix may refer to:*Malacothrix - a genus of rodents*Malacothrix - a genus of plants...
- Gerbil MouseGerbil MouseThe Gerbil Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa....
, Malacothrix typica
- Gerbil Mouse
- Genus SteatomysSteatomysSteatomys is a genus of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It contains the following species:* Bocage's African Fat Mouse * Northwestern Fat Mouse * Dainty Fat Mouse...
- Fat mice- Bocage's African Fat Mouse, Steatomys bocagei
- Northwestern Fat MouseNorthwestern Fat MouseThe Northwestern Fat Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo....
, Steatomys caurinus - Dainty Fat MouseDainty Fat MouseThe Dainty Fat Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...
, Steatomys cuppedius - Jackson's Fat MouseJackson's Fat MouseThe Jackson's Fat Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Ghana and Nigeria.Its natural habitats are arable land and .-References:...
, Steatomys jacksoni - Kreb's Fat MouseKreb's Fat MouseThe Kreb's Fat Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia....
, Steatomys krebsii - Pousargues's African Fat Mouse, Steatomys opimus
- Tiny Fat MouseTiny Fat MouseThe Tiny Fat Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
, Steatomys parvus - Fat MouseFat MouseThe Fat Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
, Steatomys pratensis