| Brush-furred mouse | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Rusty-bellied brush-furred rat (Lophuromys sikapusi) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Subfamily: | Deomyinae |
| Genus: | Lophuromys Peters, 1874 |
| Type species | |
| Lasiomys aferTemminck, 1853 (=Mus sikapusiTemminck, 1853)[1] | |
| Species | |
Thebrush-furred mice,genusLophuromys are a group ofrodents found insub-Saharan Africa. They are members of the subfamilyDeomyinae, a group only identifiable throughmolecular analysis.Lophuromys is also known as thebrush-furred rats,harsh-furred rats orcoarse-haired mice.
The brush-furred mice are so named due to the unique, stiff hairs that make up theirpelage. The texture is similar to a softbrush. They are peculiar looking for several reasons. The coat varies depending on species, but ranges from tan to greenish greys and dark brown. Some species have an almost purplish tint to the pelage and others can be speckled. The underside is rusty, orange, brown, or cream-colored. They are chunky mice with relatively short legs.
Most animals have noticeablescars, notched ears, or are missing part of their tails.[citation needed] The skin is delicate and the animals appear to use this as apredator avoidance technique. The tail breaks easily and may be lost so that the animal can escape. Once lost, it does notregenerate. The skin tears easily, particularly in strategic positions such as the scruff of the neck. In fact, if an animal is held by the scruff of the neck, it is capable of struggling its way free by tearing itself loose, leaving behind a patch ofskin and fur. It is rare to find specimens inmuseums without sewn-up tears.
Brush-furred mice appear to require moist areas and perhapsgrasses. They are generally excluded from drysavannahs and forests with densecanopies. They are variable in degree ofdiurnality versusnocturnality.
They appear to feed more on animal matter than mostmuroids. The proportion of animal material in the diet ranges from 40 to 100% depending on species.[2] Food consists ofants, otherinsects andinvertebrates, smallvertebrates,carrion, and plant matter.
Brush-furred mice aresolitary and are reported to fight when placed together. This may contribute to the wounds found on individuals. A brush-furred mouse was recorded to havelived for over 3 years incaptivity.
Allopatric speciation appears to have played an important role in shaping the evolution of this genus. Research conducted on the group suggests that isolated species exist a relatively short distance away from one another.Gene flow is either absent or greatly restricted among these isolated pockets. This has led to differences detectable bykaryotype,allozymes, andDNA sequencing. The number of recognized species in this genus has increased in recent years and is probably still not representative of the true diversity of this group.
21 species were accepted in this genus in 2005.[1] This number has grown to 34.[3]
