Sudanian Arvicanthis

discussion

Discussion: 2 n = 62, FNa = 74 - 76 (Volobouev et al., 2002 a). This is the species originally separated from samples of A. niloticus by its chromosomal features and identified as ANI- 3 (Volobouev et al., 1987, 1988 a; Ducroz et al., 1997). Subsequent analyses incorporating chromosomal refinements, DNA / DNA hybridization, cross-breeding experiments in the laboratory, three-dimensional geometric morphometrics, and mtDNA cytochrome b sequences (Ducroz, 1998; Ducroz et al., 1997, 1998; Fadda and Corti, 2001; Volobouev et al., 2002 a), demonstrated that ansorgei is not a geographic form of A. niloticus but a separate species. The two are sympatric along the southern course and in most of the Inner delta of Niger River in Mali (Volobouev et al., 2002 a), but elsewhere the " ... distribution of the two species is largely parapatric and follows the latitudinal patterns of the West-African biogeographical domains, which are related to the latitudinal patterns of annual rainfuall in this region " (Sicard et al., 2004: 5). The range of A. ansorgei is generally south of A. niloticus, which inhabits the more arid Sahelian and N Sudanian savannas, and north of A. rufinus, found in the more hu

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

distribution

Distribution: Grasslands and bush in Sudanian savannas from Gambia (Fadda and Corti, 2001) and S Senegal (Casamance region south of Gambia River; Granjon et al., 1992) through S Mali, Burkina-Faso, and Niger (Dobigny et al., 2002 b; Ducroz et al., 1998; Volobouev et al., 2002 a) to S Chad (Fadda and Corti, 2001); limits of range unresolved.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

activity

Activity patterns. Sudanian Grass Rats are diurnal and terrestrial.

Muridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Mesic Sudanian savannas and grasslands, as well as croplands and villages, but not entering houses.

Muridae