Tete Veld Aethomys

discussion

Discussion: Separation of A. ineptus from A. chrysophilus documented by Chimimba (1998), Chimimba et al. (1999), and Linzey et al. (2003). Geographic range of A. ineptus was thought to incorporate parts of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe (Chimimba, 1998; Chimimba et al., 1999; Taylor, 2000 b), but recent documentation of positively identified specimens indicates its distribution to be largely parapatric with that of A. chrysophilus, which occurs in South Africa only along the NE margin approximating the Limpopo River drainage, but has an extensive range northward to SE Kenya (Linzey et al., 2003). Redefinition of A. ineptus by Linzey et al. (2003) prompts a reevaluation of the clinal pattern of cranial size within the species proposed by Chimimba (2001 b). See account of A. chrysophilus.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

distribution

Distribution: Documented from NE South Africa (Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North West, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal Provs.; from about 25 E 30 ' S in the north southward to the Durban region) and S Mozambique; distribution in this region unresolved (Linzey et al., 2003).

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

materials_examined

Type Locality: Mozambique, Zambezi River, Tette (= Tete); see Chimimba (1998: 432) for details.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

activity

Activity patterns. Tete Rock Rats are nocturnal and terrestrial.

Muridae