KwaZulu Vlei Rat

discussion

Discussion: A species with highly derived M 3 and m 1 patterns, designated as the type of Lamotomys, a taxon employed as a subgenus of Otomys by Thomas (1918 b) and as a genus by Roberts (1951). Believed to intergrade with O. irroratus by Petter (1982) but usually retained as a distinct species in systematic works (Bohmann, 1952; Misonne, 1974) and faunal studies (De Graaff, 1981; Smithers, 1983; Meester et al., 1986). In addition to the many and obvious morphological differences, allozymic assessments demonstrate the genetic separation of O. laminatus from O. irroratus (Taylor et al., 1989). Karyotype reported by Taylor et al. (1994 a), who collected O. laminatus in sympatry with O. angoniensis and O. irroratus in Natal.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

distribution

Distribution: SE Mpumalanga and Free State provinces through KwaZulu-Natal Province, to Transkei; isolated segment in SW Western Cape Province, South Africa (Taylor et al., 1994 a: Fig. 6).

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

materials_examined

Type Locality: South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Zululand, Nkandhla, Sibudeni, 1050 m.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

discussion

COMMENTS: A species with a highly derived molar pattern, believed to intergrade with O. irroratus by Petter (1982) but retained as a species in recent faunal studies (De Graaff, 1981; Meester et al., 1986; Smithers, 1983). Designated as the type of Lamotomys, a taxon employed as a subgenus of Otomys by Thomas (1918 b) and as a genus by Roberts (1951).

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae