Bush Karroo Rat

discussion

Discussion: A species having a relictual distribution and exhibiting many traits interpreted as plesiomorphic for the subfamily (e. g., Bohmann, 1952). Genetic distance data (Taylor et al., 1989) suggest the inclusion of unisulcatus with species of Parotomys, but sperm morphology (Bernard et al., 1991) indicates its singular differentiation from both the Parotomys and O. irroratus groups. All named forms listed, with reservation, as subspecies by Meester et al. (1986), but allozymic variation unappreciable over species range and erodes validity of these divisions (Van Dyk et al., 1991).

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

distribution

Distribution: Little Namaqualand in W Northern Cape Province, through the Great and Little Karroo, to Eastern Cape Province, South Africa (De Graaff, 1981: 155).

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

materials_examined

Type Locality: South Africa, Western Cape Province, southwestern Karroo, Matjiesfontein, southwest of Laingsburg (as designated by Roberts, 1946: 318).

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae