Dendromus
Encyclopedia
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
. The genus is currently restricted to sub-Saharan Africa
, but fossil
s classified in the genus have been found from Late Miocene
deposits in Arabia and Europe
.
s.
ranges from sea-level to 4300 m. Anecdotal evidence suggests they are arboreal, but data supporting this hypothesis
are limited. They do appear to be good climbers and the degree to which they spend time in trees seems to vary by species.
Dendromurinae
Dendromurinae is a subfamily of rodents 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 to G. M...
. The genus is currently restricted to sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
, but fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
s classified in the genus have been found from Late Miocene
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...
deposits in Arabia and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Characteristics
Mice in the genus Dendromus are small (Head and body: 5–10 cm) with relatively long tails (6–13 cm). This tail is semi-prehensile and provides an aid in climbing. The dense fur is grey or brown and either one or two stripes are present on the back. Unlike most other muroids, these mice have only three fingers on each hand. They are also distinguished by their grooved incisorIncisor
Incisors are the first kind of tooth in heterodont mammals. They are located in the premaxilla above and mandible below.-Function:...
s.
Natural history
Habitat varies widely. ElevationElevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
ranges from sea-level to 4300 m. Anecdotal evidence suggests they are arboreal, but data supporting this hypothesis
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. The term derives from the Greek, ὑποτιθέναι – hypotithenai meaning "to put under" or "to suppose". For a hypothesis to be put forward as a scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that one can test it...
are limited. They do appear to be good climbers and the degree to which they spend time in trees seems to vary by species.
Species
Genus Dendromus - 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