An annotated checklist of mammals of Kenya

Abstract

Kenya has a rich mammalian fauna. We reviewed recently published books and papers including the six volumes of Mammals of Africa to develop an up-to-date annotated checklist of all mammals recorded from Kenya. A total of 390 species have been identified in the country, including 106 species of rodents, 104 species of bats, 63 species of even-toed ungulates (including whales and dolphins), 36 species of insectivores and carnivores, 19 species of primates, five species of elephant shrews, four species of hyraxes and odd-toed ungulates, three species of afrosoricids, pangolins, and hares, and one species of aardvark, elephant, sirenian and hedgehog. The number of species in this checklist is expected to increase with additional surveys and as the taxonomic status of small mammals (e.g., bats, shrews and rodents) becomes better understood.

Full text

ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH
An annotated checklist of mammals of Kenya
Simon Musila1,*, Ara Monadjem2,3 , Paul W. Webala4, Bruce D. Patterson5, Rainer Hutterer6, Yvonne A. De Jong7,
Thomas M. Butynski7, Geoffrey Mwangi8, Zhong-Zheng Chen9,10, Xue-Long Jiang9,10
1Mammalogy Section, Department of Zoology, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi 40658-00100, Kenya
2Department of Biological Sciences, University of Swaziland, Kwaluseni M201, Swaziland
3Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
4Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Maasai Mara University, Narok 861-20500, Kenya
5Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago IL 60605-2496, USA
6Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Leibniz-Institut für Biodiversität der Tiere, Bonn 53113, Germany
7Eastern Africa Primate Diversity and Conservation Program, Nanyuki 149-10400, Kenya
8School of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Karatina University, Karatina 1957-10101, Kenya
9Sino-African Joint Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nairobi 62000-00200, Kenya
10 Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China
ABSTRACT
Kenya has a rich mammalian fauna. We reviewed
recently published books and papers including the six
volumes of Mammals of Africa to develop an up-to-date
annotated checklist of all mammals recorded from
Kenya. A total of 390 species have been identified
in the country, including 106 species of rodents,
104 species of bats, 63 species of even-toed ungulates
(including whales and dolphins), 36 species of
insectivores and carnivores, 19 species of primates,
five species of elephant shrews, four species of
hyraxes and odd-toed ungulates, three species of
afrosoricids, pangolins, and hares, and one species
of aardvark, elephant, sirenian and hedgehog. The
number of species in this checklist is expected to
increase with additional surveys and as the taxonomic
status of small mammals (e.g., bats, shrews and
rodents) becomes better understood.
Keywords:
Checklist; Rodents; Bats; Ungulate;
Carnivores; Shrews; Kenya
INTRODUCTION
Kenya lies astride the equator on the eastern coast of Africa.
It is a medium-sized country, covering an area of about
582 646 km2. The geography of Kenya is highly diverse, with
various landforms that include coastline, lake basins, plains,
hills, high mountains, and deserts. Similarly, the Kenyan
climate is diverse and varies with geographical location. For
example, rainfall and temperature are influenced by changes
in altitude and distance to the coast and Lake Victoria. The
Kenyan coast (0–100 m a.s.l.) is warm and humid, receiving
about 1 000 mm of rainfall per year; the central highlands
(1 000–2 500 m a.s.l.) are cool and humid, receiving the
highest rainfall (over 2 000 mm per year) in Kenya; the hot and
dry regions of northern and eastern Kenya (200–700 m a.s.l.)
receive the lowest rainfall (<300 mm per year) (Bennun &
Njoroge, 1999). Frost regularly occurs above 2 400 m a.s.l.,
with the hottest area (mean maximum temperature of 34 ◦C)
being Lake Turkana (Bennun & Njoroge, 1999). The variations
in rainfall, temperature, topography and landuse together
influence the biomes and ecoregions of Kenya. Due to the
complex topography, vegetation types and variation in climate,
Kenya harbors a large diversity of organisms, with about
25 000 species of fauna and 7 000 species of flora currently
recorded, along with at least 2 000 species of fungi and
bacteria (NBU, 1992).
Over 10% of the country’s land area is presently gazetted as
a national park, national reserve or forest reserve (Bennun &
Njoroge, 1999). However, these protected areas were primarily
established because they: (1) contain considerable populations
of ‘big game’ (i.e., large mammals), which attract visitors; (2)
are important water catchment areas; (3) support valuable
timber for exploitation; or (4) contain few resident people at
the time of establishment (Bennun & Njoroge, 1999). Thus,
these protected areas were typically not established for the
Received: 08 June 2018; Accepted: 16 July 2018; Online: 17 October
2018
Foundation items: This study was supported by the Sino-Africa Joint
Research Centre, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SAJC201612)
*Corresponding author, E-mail: surnbirds@gmail.com
DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2018.059
Science Press Zoological Research 40(1): 3–52, 2019 3

conservation of Kenya’s many smaller mammalian species
such as hedgehogs, bats, rodents, otter-shrews, shrews, hares
and elephant-shrews. More than 80% of Kenya’s land area
is not under legal protection and is predominantly comprised
of degraded vegetation, agriculture and settlement, resulting
in ongoing loss of suitable natural habitats for mammals.
However, a small but significant proportion of the unprotected
zones are conserved as privately or community owned
ranches and conservancies, which can support relatively
undisturbed natural habitats, providing important refuges for
some mammals. For many of Kenya’s protected areas,
conservancies and ranches, only checklists of larger mammals
are typically available. The remoteness, difficulty of access and
security concerns in northern and some parts of eastern Kenya
have made this region difficult to survey. For example, an
apparently new giant sengi (Rhynchocyon sp.) was recorded
in the Boni-Dodori Forest (Andanje et al., 2010) but the risk of
attack and kidnappings by Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militants
has prevented any further research on the species. The study
of small mammals in Kenya, as elsewhere on the continent,
is also hampered by a shortage of experienced taxonomists.
Hence, compared with large mammals, there is a dearth of
knowledge on the distribution and ecology of small mammals
in Kenya.
Species checklists constitute alpha-diversity descriptors
of the taxonomic richness of a given country (Whittaker,
1972), and are important tools for the effective conservation
of threatened species at the national level (Amori et al.,
2011). Past checklists of Kenyan mammals were published
in the 1920s to early 1990s. These included checklists
for Insectívora, Chiroptera, and Carnivora (Hollister, 1918),
Chiroptera (Aggundey & Schlitter, 1984), Insectivora and
Macroscelidea (Aggundey & Schlitter, 1986), Kingdon’s
volumes of East African Mammals (Kingdon, 1974a, 1974b,
1977, 1982a, 1982b, 1984), Kingdon’s Field Guide to African
Mammals (Kingdon, 1997), Mammals of East Africa, including
Kenya (Davies & Vanden Berghe, 1994), and Key to Bats
of East Africa (Patterson & Webala, 2012). However, these
checklists are now outdated and incomplete. In the past
24 years since the last checklist (Davies & Vanden Berghe,
1994), no attempt has been made to compile and publish a
revised checklist of mammals in Kenya, even though a good
deal of research has been conducted during the same period.
Therefore, an updated complete checklist of mammal species
is both warranted and of great conservation importance. This
current checklist attempts to update the list of all mammals
recorded in Kenya, and thus reflects recent advances in
research of Kenyan mammals.
METHOD OF CHECKLIST PREPARATION
The current checklist was compiled by reviewing the six
volumes of the Mammals of Africa (MOA): Vol. 1 (Introductory
Chapters and Afrotheria: Kingdon et al., 2013), Vol. 2
(Primates: Butynski et al., 2013), Vol. 3 (Rodents, Hares
and Rabbits: Happold D, 2013a), Vol. 4 (Hedgehogs,
Shrews and Bats: Happold M & Happold D, 2013), Vol.
5 (Pigs, Hippopotamuses, Chevrotain, Giraffes, Deer and
Bovids: Kingdon & Hoffman, 2013a), and Vol. 6 (Carnivores,
Pangolins, Equids and Rhinoceroses: Kingdon & Hoffman,
2013b); Rodents of Sub-Saharan Africa: A Biogeographic
and Taxonomic Synthesis (Monadjem et al., 2015), Keys to
the Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of East Africa (Patterson
& Webala, 2012), and the IUCN website (IUCN Red List
of Threatened Species, 2017) (only for Cetaceans). Prior
changes in the taxonomy of each taxon are not included
in this checklist because respective volumes of the MOA
provide detailed information on the same. However, changes
stemming from more recent literature are noted. Nomenclature
follows the MOA, except where noted. We recognized
the families Miniopteridae (Miller-Butterworth et al., 2007)
and Rhinonycteridae (Foley et al., 2015) for bats and
Heterocephalidae for rodents (Patterson & Upham, 2014). The
checklist, which covers both terrestrial and aquatic (freshwater
and marine) species, is presented by order, family, genus,
scientific name, species authority, preferred common English,
Swahili (English Coastal Swahili Dictionary online (ECSDO),
2016; Kingdon, 1974a, 1974b, 1977, 1982a, 1982b, 1984,
1997), and Chinese names (mostly following Wang et al., 2001),
distributional range in Africa and Kenya, and the broad habitat
types where it occurs. Cetacean species (IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species, 2017) were included in the list if their
distribution range encompassed the shallow marine habitat
over the continental shelf and deep sea of the Indian Ocean
along Kenya’s coastline. Introduced species without a wild
breeding population, those not confirmed to occur in Kenya,
and those locally extinct are not included in the list.
CHECKLIST OF MAMMALS
ORDER HYRACOIDEA (Hyraxes–four species)
Family PROCAVIIDAE
Genus Dendrohyrax Gray, 1868. Tree Hyraxes
1. Dendrohyrax arboreus A. Smith, 1827. English:
Southern Tree Hyrax. Swahili: Perere. Chinese: 南树蹄
兔. Recorded from southern and eastern Africa, including
E and SE DR Congo. Well-developed woodlands or
forests. In Kenya, recorded from W-S Kenya along the
Kenya-Tanzania border, as well as C Kenya (Milner &
Gayland, 2013).
2. Dendrohyrax validus True, 1890. English: Eastern
Tree Hyrax. Swahili: Perere. Chinese: 坦桑 树 蹄兔.
Recorded only from Kenya and Tanzania. Moist lowland
and montane forests, and in a wide altitudinal range from
sea level to 3070 m a.s.l. on Mt Kilimanjaro. In Kenya,
recorded from the SE (Taita Hills) (Roberts et al., 2013).
Genus Heterohyrax Gray, 1868. Bush Hyraxes
3. Heterohyrax brucei Gray, 1868. English: Bush Hyrax;
Yellow-spotted Hyrax. Swahili: Perere Mawe; Pimbi
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Madoa. Chinese: 小齿蹄兔. Recorded from Sudan and
Eritrea from the east and Horn of Africa to South Africa,
as well as SW DR Congo. In rocky kopjes, sheer cliffs
or precipices, and piles of large boulders with openings,
as well as in forests along rivers. In Kenya, widespread
(Barry & Hoeck, 2013).
Genus Procavia Storr, 1780. Rock Hyraxes
4. Procavia capensis (Pallas, 1766). English: Rock Hyrax.
Swahili: Pimbi/Pimbe. Chinese: 岩蹄兔. Recorded from S
Mauritania through S Algeria and Libya to Egypt, western
through to East Africa, including the Horn of Africa, as
well as southern Africa. In a wide range of habitats, from
arid deserts to rainforest, and from sea level to the alpine
zone of Mt Kenya (3 200–4 300 m a.s.l.). In Kenya, widely
distributed (Hoeck & Bloomer, 2013).
ORDER PROBOSCIDEA (African Elephant–one species)
Family ELEPHANTIDAE
Genus Loxodonta Anonymous, 1827. African Elephant
5. Loxodonta africana Blumenbach, 1797. English:
African Bush Elephant. Swahili: Ndovu; Tembo. Chinese:
非洲草原象. Recorded from many countries in Africa S
of the Sahara. In a wide variety of habitats, including
sub-deserts to swamps, lowland rainforests, gallery and
montane forests, upland moors, flood-plains, savannas
and various woodlands. Widespread in Kenya (Poole et
al., 2013).
ORDER SIRENIA (Dugongs–one species)
Family DUGONGIDAE
Genus Dugong Lacépède, 1799. Dugongs
6. Dugong dugon Müller, 1776. English: Dugong. Swahili:
Nguva. Chinese: 儒艮. Recorded from the Red Sea in
Egypt through the Gulf of Aden to Mozambique. In wide
shallow protected bays, wide shallow mangrove channels
and large inshore islands over the continental shelf. In
Kenya, recorded along the coast from the border with
Tanzania to Somalia (Marsh & Dutton, 2013).
ORDER AFROSORICIDA (Tenrecs and Golden Moles–three
species)
Family TENRECIDAE
Genus Potamogale Du Chaillu, 1860. Giant Otter-shrew
7. Potamogale velox du Chaillu, 1860. English: Giant
Otter-shrew; Swahili: unavailable. Chinese: 大獭鼩.
Recorded from E Nigeria and Cameroon, Gabon, DR
Congo, N Angola, W Uganda and extreme W-C Kenya.
Small, slow flowing streams in equatorial rainforests,
forest pools and mountain torrents. In Kenya, recorded
only in Kakamega (Mt. Elgon, Cherangani Hills) (Vogel,
2013).
Family CHRYSOCHLORIDAE
Genus Chrysochloris Lacépède, 1799. Golden-moles
8. Chrysochloris stuhlmanni Matschie, 1894. English:
Stuhlmann’s Golden-mole; Swahili: unavailable. Chinese:
斯氏金毛鼹. Recorded in small fragmented populations
in Cameroon, E DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya and
Tanzania. Montane habitats, including grasslands,
bamboo thickets, ericaceous vegetation, and Podocarpus
and Hagenia/Hypericum woodlands (Bronner, 2013). In
Kenya, recorded only on Mt. Elgon and the Cherangani
Hills (Bronner, 2013).
9. Chrysochloris fosteri (St. Leger, 1931). English: Elgon
Golden-mole; Swahili: unavailable. Chinese: 埃尔贡金
毛鼹. Previously included in Chrysochloris stuhlmanni
Matschie, but distinctly larger than any other species in
that genus. Thorn and Kerbis Peterhans (2009) elevated
it to species level. Montane habitats in Kenya and Uganda
up to 4 000 m a.s.l. In Kenya, recorded only on Mt. Elgon
and the Cherangani Hills (Bronner, 2013 as Chrysochloris
stuhlmanni).
ORDER MACROSCELIDEA (Sengis–five species)
Family MACROSCELIDIDAE
Genus Elephantulus Thomas and Schwann, 1906. Sengis
10. Elephantulus brachyrhynchus A. Smith, 1836. English:
Short-snouted Sengi. Swahili: Sengi. Chinese: 短吻象
鼩. Recorded throughout eastern and southern Africa,
from Uganda and Kenya to S DR Congo, Angola, Zambia,
Malawi, Zimbabwe and N South Africa. Savanna habitats
with thick cover. In Kenya, widespread mostly W of the
Rift Valley (Perrin, 2013a).
11. Elephantulus rufescens Peters 1878. English: Rufous
Sengi. Swahili: Sengi. Chinese: 赤褐象鼩. Recorded
from SE South Sudan, E Ethiopia, Somalia, E Uganda,
Kenya and Tanzania. Dry woodlands and bushlands,
open wooded steppe and grasslands. In Kenya,
widespread in drier habitats (Perrin & Rathbun, 2013).
Genus Petrodromus Peters, 1846. Four-toed Sengis
12. Petrodromus tetradactylus Peters, 1846. English:
Four-toed Sengi. Swahili: Isanje. Chinese: 四趾岩象鼩.
Recorded in DR Congo (S of Zaire River) and in Kenya,
Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, SE Zimbabwe
and N South Africa. Woody thickets in forests, woodlands
and rocky habitats. In Kenya, recorded only in the SE
(Rathbun, 2013a).
Zoological Research 40(1): 3–52, 2019 5

Genus Rhynchocyon Peters, 1847. Giant Sengis
13. Rhynchocyon chrysopygus Günther, 1881. English:
Golden-rumped Giant Sengi. Swahili: Njule ya Gedi/Fugu.
Chinese: 黄臀象鼩. Endemic to Kenya. Coastal
semi-decidous forests, woodlands with thick canopy and
coastal rag scrub. In Kenya, recorded in small area S of
the Tana River to the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and Rabai
near Mombasa (Rathbun, 2013b).
14. Rhynchocyon petersi Bocage, 1880. English:
Black-and-Rufous Giant Sengi. Swahili Sengi/Njule.
Chinese: 黑象鼩. Recorded in only a few localities in
coastal S Kenya and NE Tanzania (also Zanzibar and
Mafia Islands). Evergreen semi-deciduous forests, dense
woodlands, coral rag scrub and overgrown agricultural
lands. In Kenya, recorded in several forests S of
Mombasa (Shimba Hills, Mrima, Marenji, Gongoni and
Dzombo Forests) (Rathbun, 2013c).
ORDER TUBULIDENTATA (Aardvark–one species)
Family ORYCTEROPODIDAE
Genus Orycteropus G. Cuvier, 1798. Aardvark
15. Orycteropus afer Pallas, 1766. English: Aardvark.
Swahili: Mhanga; Kukukifuku; Fundi-Mchanga. Chinese:
土豚. Recorded from many countries in Africa S of
the Sahara. In a wide range of habitats, including
semi-arid Karoo areas of Southern Africa, grasslands, all
savanna types, rainforests, woodlands and thickets. In
Kenya, widely distributed in dry and moist habitats with
well-drained soils (Taylor, 2013).
ORDER PRIMATES (Primates–19 species)
Family HOMINIDAE
Genus Homo (Linnaeus, 1758). Humans
16. Homo sapiens Linnaeus, 1758. English: Modern Human.
Swahili: Mtu. Chinese: 人. Most of the world, including all
of Kenya (Kingdon, 2013).
Family CERCOPITHECIDAE
Genus Colobus Illiger, 1811. Black-and-White Colobus
Monkeys
17. Colobus angolensis Sclater, 1860. English: Angola
Colobus. Swahili: Mbega. Chinese: 安哥拉疣猴.
Recorded from C Congo Basin, E to the Rwenzori Mts
and L. Victoria, S-W Rwanda, W Burundi, and NW
of Lake Tanganyika, as well as S-NW Angola. In
montane, mid-altitude, lowland and coastal forests. One
subspecies recognized in Kenya: Colobus a. palliatus
Peters, 1868 Peters’s Angola Colobus. In Kenya, only
recorded S of Mombasa (Shimba, Kinondo, Gongoni,
Mrima, Nzombo and Marenji Forest) and other forests in
the SE (Bocian & Anderson, 2013).
18. Colobus guereza Rüppel, 1835. English: Guereza
Colobus. Swahili: Mbega. Chinese: 东黑白疣猴.
Recorded from E Nigeria, N of the Congo Basin to E
Africa, Gabon, Congo and E Ethiopia. In a wide array
of forest types, including lowland and medium-altitude
moist forest, montane forest, swamp forest, dry forest,
gallery forest and disturbed forest. Four subspecies
recognized in Kenya: Colobus g. matschiei Neumann,
1899, Mau Forest Guereza, recorded from CW Kenya,
W of the Eastern Rift Valley; Colobus g. kikuyuensis
Lönnberg, 1912, Mount Kenya Guereza, endemic to
the Central Highlands of Kenya, E of the Eastern Rift
Valley; Colobus g. percivali Heller, 1913, Mount Uarges
Guereza, endemic to Mathews Range, C Kenya (Fashing
& Oates, 2013); and Colobus g. caudatus Oldfield
Thomas, 1885, Mount Kilimanjaro guereza, restricted to
Kitobo and Loitokitok Forest Reserves (Butynski & De
Jong, 2015).
Genus Procolobus de Rochebrune, 1887. Olive Colobus
Monkey, Red Colobus Monkey
19. Procolobus rufomitratus (Peters, 1879). English:
Eastern Red Colobus. Swahili: Mbega. Chinese: 东绿疣
猴. Recorded from western, S-N Central African Republic,
E Kenya, Southern Sudan, S-N Zambia and SW Tanzania.
In forest-miombo mosaics, swamp, gallery, lowland and
mid-altitude forests, montane moist forests and degraded
secondary forests. One subspecies recognized in Kenya:
Procolobus r. rufomitratus (Peters, 1879), Tana River Red
Colobus. Recorded from SE Kenya in floodplain forests of
the lower Tana River (Struhsaker & Grubb, 2013).
Genus Cercocebus É. Geoffroy, 1812. Drill-Mangabeys
20. Cercocebus galeritus Peters, 1879. English: Tana River
Mangabey. Swahili: unavailable. Chinese: 塔纳白眉猴.
Endemic to Kenya. In floodplain forests and adjacent
woodland and bushland along the lower Tana River. In
Kenya, recorded only from Kanjonja in the N to Tana Delta
in the S (Wieczkowski & Butynski, 2013).
Genus Papio Erxleben, 1777. Baboons
21. Papio cynocephalus (Linnaeus, 1766). English: Yellow
Baboon. Swahili: Nyani Njano. Chinese: 黄狒 狒.
Recorded from Angola, through S DR Congo, to E Kenya,
SE Ethiopia, C Somalia, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and
N Mozambique. In open miombo and savanna woodland.
One subspecies recognized in Kenya: Papio c. ibeanus
Thomas, 1893, Ibean Yellow Baboon. Recorded from SE
Kenya (Altmann et al., 2013).
22. Papio anubis (Lesson, 1827). English: Olive Baboon.
Swahili: Nyani. Chinese: 东非狒 狒. Recorded from
Mauritania to N Cameroon, E-C Ethiopia and SW
lowlands of Eritrea, East Africa as well as SE DR Congo.
In a wide variety of habitats but typically in open habitats.
Widespread in W, C, N and SW Kenya (Palombit, 2013).
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Genus Erythrocebus Trouessart, 1897. Patas Monkey
23. Erythrocebus patas (Schreber, 1775). English: Patas
Monkey. Swahili: Kima. Chinese: 赤猴. Recorded
from NW Senegal through Sudan to W Ethiopia to
N DR Congo, and East Africa. In wooded savanna
and woodland-grassland margins (Isbell, 2013). One
subspecies recognized in Kenya: Erythrocebus p.
pyrrhonotus (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1829), Eastern
Patas Monkey. Patchily distributed in W, C and S Kenya
(De Jong et al., 2008).
Genus Chlorocebus Gray, 1870. Savanna Monkeys
24. Chlorocebus tantalus (Ogilby, 1841). English: Tantalus
Monkey. Swahili: Tumbili; Ngendere. Chinese: 坦塔
罗斯绿猴. Recorded from Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana,
southern Sudan, NE DR Congo, N Uganda and NW
Kenya. In a variety of habitats, including savanna
woodlands, swamp forests, gallery forests and forest
edge. One subspecies recognized in Kenya: Chlorocebus
t. budgetti (Pocock, 1907), Budgett’s Tantalus. Recorded
in SW of Kenya (W of Lake Turkana) (Nakagawa, 2013).
25. Chlorocebus pygerythrus (F. Cuvier, 1821). English:
Vervet Monkey. Swahili: Tumbili; Ngendere. Chinese:
青腹绿猴. Recorded from S Somalia, S Ethiopia, east
Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, N and E Botswana
and South Africa. In savanna-woodlands, primarily along
water-courses, swamps and lakeshores. Two subspecies
recognized in Kenya; Chlorocebus p. excubutor (Schwarz,
1926), Manda Vervet Monkey, recorded only in SE
Kenya (Manda and Patta islands); and Chlorocebus
p. hilgerti (Neumann, 1902), Hilgert’s Vervet Monkey,
patchily distributed throughout most of Kenya (Isbell &
Enstam-Jaffe, 2013).
Genus Cercopithecus Linnaeus, 1758. Arboreal Guenons
26. Cercopithecus neglectus Schlegel, 1876. English: De
Brazza’s Monkey. Swahili: Kalasinga. Chinese: 德
氏长尾猴. Recorded from E Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea, N Central African Republic, N Gabon, NE Angola,
southern Sudan, SW Ethiopia and C Kenya. In riverine,
gallery and swamp forests, including secondary forest. In
Kenya, patchily distributed in SW and C regions (Mathews
Range) (Gautier-Hion, 2013).
27. Cercopithecus mitis Wolf, 1822. English: Gentle
Monkey. Swahili: Kima. Chinese: 青长尾猴. Recorded
from W Angola, N Ethiopia, SE Sudan, S Somalia,
East Africa, E DR Congo, NE Zambia, N Mozambique,
Zimbabwe and South Africa. In a wide range of habitats,
including lowland, mid-altitude, montane, riverine, gallery,
coastland bamboo forests, bushland and woodland
(Lawes et al., 2013). Four subspecies recognized in
Kenya: Cercopithecus m. albogularis (Sykes, 1831),
Zanzibar Sykes’s Monkey, recorded from SE Kenya, S
of Galana River, W to Kibwezi and Tsavo West National
Park (NP) (De Jong & Butynski, 2012); Cercopithecus
m. stuhlmanni Matschie, 1893, Stuhlmann’s Blue Monkey,
recorded from SW Kenya, W of the Eastern Rift Valley;
Cercopithecus m. albotorquatus Pousargues, 1896,
Pousargues’s Monkey, near-endemic to the N coast of
Kenya, N to at least Boni National Reserve (NR) and
Dodori NR, and inland along Tana River to Meru NP (De
Jong & Butynski, 2011); and Cercopithecus m. kolbi
Neumann, 1902, Kolb’s Monkey, endemic to the Kenyan
Highlands, E of the Eastern Rift Valley.
28. Cercopithecus ascanius (Audebert, 1799). English:
Red-tailed Monkey. Swahili: Kima. Chinese: 肯尼
亚长尾猴. Recorded from N Angola, DR Congo and
Central African Republic eastwards to W Kenya and NW
Tanzania. In lowland, mid-elevation, montane, swamp,
riverine and gallery forests, including secondary forests.
One subspecies recognized in Kenya: Cercopithecus a.
schmidti Matschie, 1892, Schmidt’s Red-tailed Monkey,
recorded from SW Kenya, W of the Eastern Rift Valley
(Cords & Sarmiento, 2013).
Family LORISIDAE
Genus Perodicticus Bennett, 1831. Pottos
29. Perodicticus potto (Müller, 1766). English: Potto.
Swahili: Kami. Chinese: 树熊猴. Recorded from
Upper Guinea, S in DR Congo to E and C Kenya.
In lowland, mid-elevation, montane and swamp forests,
including secondary forests (Pimley & Bearder, 2013).
Two subspecies recognized in Kenya: Perodicticus p.
ibeanus Thomas, 1910, Eastern Potto, recorded from SW
Kenya (Butynski & De Jong, 2007); and Perodicticus p.
stockleyi (Butynski & De Jong, 2007), Mount Kenya Potto,
endemic to Mt. Kenya (Butynski & De Jong, 2007).
Family GALAGIDAE
Genus Otolemur Coquerel, 1859. Greater Galagos
30. Otolemur crassicaudatus (É. Geoffroy, 1812). English:
Large-eared Greater Galago. Swahili: Komba. Chinese:
粗尾婴猴. Recorded from Angola, DR Congo, NW
Tanzania, S Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, E Zimbabwe, E
Botswana, E South Africa and Swaziland. In woodlands,
savannas, thickets and forests (Bearder & Svoboda,
2013). Two subspecies recognized in Kenya: Otolemur
c. monteiri (Bartlett in Gray, 1863), Miombo Silver Galago
recorded from SE Kenya; and Otolemur c. argentatus
(Lönnberg, 1913), Northern Silver Galago from SW
Kenya.
31. Otolemur garnettii (Ogilby, 1838). English: Small-eared
Greater Galago. Swahili: Komba Mkubwa. Chinese:
小耳大婴猴. Recorded from Somalia, C-SE Kenya,
SE Tanzania and S-N Mozambique. In coastal,
Zoological Research 40(1): 3–52, 2019 7

mid-elevation and montane forests (0–2 400 m a.s.l) and
forest-agriculture mosaics (Harcourt & Perkin, 2013a).
Three subspecies recognized in Kenya: Otolemur
g. lasiotis (Peters, 1876), White-tailed Small-eared
Galago recorded from the Kenyan coast; Otolemur
g. panganiensis Matschie, 1905, Pangani Small-eared
Galago from extreme CS Kenya; and Otolemur g.
kikuyuensis (Lönnberg, 1912), Kikuyu Small-eared
Galago from the Kenyan highlands E of the Eastern Rift
Valley.
Genus Galago É. Geoffroy, 1796. Lesser Galagos
32. Galago senegalensis É. Geoffroy, 1796. English:
Northern Lesser Galago. Swahili: Komba ya Senegali.
Chinese: 北小婴猴. Recorded from Senegal to the Gulf of
Aden and much of eastern Africa. In savanna, woodland,
bushland, closed forest and riverine woodland (Nash
et al., 2013). Three subspecies recognized in Kenya:
Galago s. senegalensis É. Geoffroy, 1796, Senegal
Lesser Galago recorded from Mt. Elgon, Kenya; Galago
s. braccatus Elliot, 1907, Kenya Lesser Galago from NW,
C and SE Kenya; and Galago s. sotikae Hollister, 1920,
Uganda Lesser Galago from SW Kenya.
33. Galago gallarum Thomas, 1901. English: Somali Lesser
Galago. Swahili: Komba Somali. Chinese: 索马里小婴猴.
Recorded from S Ethiopia, NE Kenya and NE Somalia.
In Acacia-Commiphora bushland and thickets. In Kenya,
recorded from the coastal strip of NE Kenya to the lower
Tana River (Butynski & De Jong, 2013).
Genus Paragalago Master et al., 2017. Dwarf Galagos
Previously placed within Galagoides A. Smith, 1833
(Dwarf Galagos) as Galagoides cocos but now moved to
newly proposed genus Paragalago (Master et al., 2017).
34. Paragalago cocos (Heller, 1912). English: Kenya Coast
Dwarf Galago. Swahili: Komba. Chinese: 肯尼亚海
岸倭丛猴. Recorded from Kenya and NE Tanzania. In
dry mixed coastal forests, thickets and flood-plain forests.
In Kenya, recorded from coastal forests in Kenya as far
as the lower Tana River forests (Butynski et al., 2006;
Harcourt & Perkin, 2013b as Galagoides cocos).
ORDER RODENTIA (Rodents–106 species)
Family SCIURIDAE
Genus Heliosciurus Trouessart, 1880. Sun Squirrels
35. Heliosciurus gambianus (Ogilby, 1835). English:
Gambian Sun Squirrel. Swahili: Kindi. Chinese: 太阳松
鼠. Widespread from Senegal to southern Sudan, South
Sudan and eastern Ethiopia, also in parts of Angola,
DR Congo and Zambia. Wooded savannas (Happold D,
2013b). In Kenya, recorded from Lodwar and W of Lake
Turkana.
36. Heliosciurus rufobrachium (Waterhouse, 1842).
English: Red-legged Sun Squirrel. Swahili: Kindi.
Chinese: 红腿太阳松鼠. Widespread in West and
Central Africa from Senegal to Kenya and Uganda; In
DR Congo, only N of the Zaire River. Lowland moist
rainforests, secondary and plantation forests with large
trees (Emmons, 2013a). In Kenya, recorded only from Mt.
Elgon.
37. Heliosciurus undulatus (True, 1892). English: Zanj Sun
Squirrel. Swahili: Kindi. Chinese: 小太阳松鼠. Recorded
only in SE Kenya and NE Tanzania, including Mafia and
Zanzibar islands. Coastal forests and riverine vegetation
(Schennum & Thorington, 2013a).
Genus Paraxerus Forsyth Major, 1893. Bush Squirrels
38. Paraxerus flavovittis (Peters, 1852). English: Striped
Bush Squirrel. Swahili: Kindi Vichaka. Chinese: 黄纹
丛松鼠. Recorded from SE Kenya, eastern Tanzania,
N Mozambique and SE Malawi. Savannas, forests and
cultivations with hardwood trees with holes (Schennum &
Thorington, 2013b). In Kenya, recorded along coast S of
Mombasa (Msambweni).
39. Paraxerus ochraceus (Huet, 1880). English: Ochre
Bush Squirrel. Swahili: Kindi Vichaka. Chinese: 赭丛
松鼠. Widespread in Kenya and NE Tanzania, with a few
records from S Somalia and S South Sudan. Wide variety
of habitats, including mountain forests, riverine forests,
coasal forests, thickets and urban gardens (Thorington &
Schennum, 2013). In Kenya, recorded from W, E and C,
including the Tana River and Nairobi.
40. Paraxerus palliatus (Peters, 1852). English: Red Bush
Squirrel. Swahili: Kindi Vichaka. Chinese: 南非红丛
松鼠. Recorded from coastal Somalia to extreme NE of
South Africa, including parts of E-C Tanzania and along
the Zambezi/Shire Rivers to Malawi. Coastal, dunes
and riverine forests (Thorington et al., 2013). In Kenya,
recorded in coastal habitats.
41. Protoxerus stangeri (Waterhouse, 1842). English:
Forest Giant Squirrel. Swahili: Kindi. Chinese: 非洲巨
松鼠. Widely distributed in West and Central Africa from
Sierra Leone to Uganda and W Kenya, with outliers in
S DR Congo and Angola. Rainforests and secondary
forests in rainforest zones (Emmons, 2013b). In Kenya,
recorded from Kakamega Forest and N and S Nandi
Forests.
Genus Xerus Hemprich and Ehrenberg, 1833. Ground
Squirrels
42. Xerus erythropus (E. Geoffroy, 1803). English: Striped
Ground Squirrel. Swahili: Kindi. Chinese: 条纹地松
鼠. Widely distributed in West and Central Africa S
of the Sahara, from Senegal and Mauritania to eastern
8www.zoores.ac.cn

Sudan. Semi-deserts, savanna woodlands, clearings in
rainforests, and cultivated fields (Waterman, 2013a). In
Kenya, recorded in NW extending southwards in the Rift
Valley. May be sympatric with X. rutilans in the Rift Valley
(Kingdon, 1974b).
43. Xerus rutilus (Cretzschmar, 1828). English: Unstriped
Ground Squirrel. Swahili: Kindi. Chinese: 赤地松鼠.
Recorded from the Horn of Africa from coastal Sudan,
E Ethiopia and Somalia to NE Tanzania. Dry, semi-arid
areas including agricultural fields in Kenya (Waterman,
2013b). In Kenya, widely distributed in dry habitats.
Family GLIRIDAE
Genus Graphiurus Smuts, 1832. Dormice
The taxonomy of dormice in Africa is controversial and species
are difficult to identify.
44. Graphiurus kelleni (Reuvens, 1890). English: Kellen’s
African Dormouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 卡伦非洲
睡鼠. Widespread in disjunct populations in West, East
and southern Africa, and in the Horn of Africa. Woodland
savannas, riverine woodlands and rocky areas (Holden,
2013a). In Kenya, widely distributed, except in the NE.
45. Graphiurus microtis (Noack, 1887). English: Noack’s
African Dormouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 小非洲睡
鼠. Widely distributed in the eastern half of Africa from
Sudan to South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Woodland
habitats (Holden, 2013b). In Kenya, recorded from the
NW (Lotikipi), SW and E (Narok, Kajiado, Taita).
46. Graphiurus murinus (Desmarest, 1822). English:
Forest African Dormouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 非
洲林睡鼠. Widely distributed in the eastern half of Africa
from Ethiopia to South Africa. Afroalpine, riverine and
coastal forests (Holden, 2013c). In Kenya, widespread
in western half and in the SE, including Mt. Gargues,
Mathews Range, Mt. Nyiru, Marsabit and Karissia Hills.
Family SPALACIDAE
Genus Tachyoryctes Ruppell, 1835. Root-rats
The taxonomy of this genus is complex and not yet
resolved. Musser & Carleton (2005) considered T.
ankoliae, T. annectens, T. audax, T. daemon, T. ibeanus, T.
naivashae, T. rex, T. ruandae, T. ruddi, T. spalacinus and T.
storeyi as valid species in Kenya, whereas Jarvis (2013a)
considered these as synonyms of T. splendens. We have
followed Monadjem et al. (2015) who considered T. rex, T.
annectens, T. ibeanus, T. spalacinus and T. ruddi as valid
species in Kenya based on morphometric analysis and
the distinct biogeographic and ecological distributions of
each species.
47. Tachyoryctes annectens (Thomas, 1981). English:
Mianzini Root-rat. Swahili: Fuko/Mizizi Panya. Chinese:
美兹尼鼹 鼠. Included within T. splendens by Jarvis
(2013a). Endemic to Kenya. Subterranean in well-drained
soils in savanna habitats. In Kenya, recorded at Mianzini
and E of Lake Naivasha (Musser & Carleton, 2005).
48. Tachyoryctes ibeanus Thomas, 1900. English: Kenyan
Root-rat. Swahili: Fuko/Mizizi Panya. Chinese: 肯
尼亚鼹 鼠. Included within T. splendens by Jarvis
(2013a). Musser & Carleton (2005) recognized the taxa
T. storey and T. naivashae as specifically distinct from T.
ibeanus. However, based on skull morphometrics and
biogeography, Monadjem et al. (2015) considered these
three taxa to be conspecific. Thus, pending molecular
studies, we have treated these three taxa as conspecific.
Endemic to Kenya. Subterranean in well-drained soils in
savanna habitats. In Kenya, recorded near Nairobi and
on the western part of the Athi Plains (Musser & Carleton,
2005; Monadjem et al., 2015).
49. Tachyoryctes rex Heller, 1910. English: King Root-rat.
Swahili: Fuko/Mizizi Panya. Chinese: 小鼹鼠. Included
within T. splendens by Jarvis (2013a). Endemic to
Kenya. In montane and alpine habitats. In Kenya,
recorded only on the higher slopes of Mt. Kenya (ca.
2 600–3 500 m a.s.l.) (Musser & Carleton, 2005).
50. Tachyoryctes ruddi Thomas, 1909. English: Rudd’s
African Root-rat. Swahili: Fuko/Mizizi Panya. Chinese:
拉德鼹鼠. Included within T. splendens by Jarvis (2013a).
Recorded in a small area of W Kenya, SW Uganda and
NW Tanzania. In tropical rainforests and montane forests.
In Kenya, recorded in Kakamega and the lower slopes of
Mt. Elgon (Monadjem et al., 2015, Musser & Carleton,
2005).
51. Tachyoryctes spalacinus Thomas, 1909. English: Embi
African Root-rat. Swahili: Fuko/Mizizi Panya. Chinese: 高
山鼹鼠. Included within T. splendens by Jarvis (2013a).
Endemic to Kenya. In montane forests. In Kenya,
recorded on the lower slopes of Mt. Kenya and on the
plains and foothills S and W of Mt. Kenya (Monadjem et
al., 2015, Musser & Carleton, 2005).
Family NESOMYIDAE
Genus Beamys Thomas, 1909. Long-tailed Pouched Rats
52. Beamys hindei Thomas, 1909. English: Long-tailed
Pouched Rat. Swahili: unavailable. Chinese: 长尾巨
鼠. Recorded in scattered localities in Kenya, Tanzania,
Malawi and Zambia. Evergreen and slightly deciduous
forests and riverine forests close to streams. In Kenya,
recorded S of Mombasa and in the Arabuko-Sokoke
Forest (Happold D, 2013c).
Genus Cricetomys Waterhouse, 1840. Giant Pouched Rats
Zoological Research 40(1): 3–52, 2019 9

53. Cricetomys ansorgei Thomas, 1904. English: Southern
Giant Pouched Rat. Swahili: Panya Buku. Chinese:
非洲巨鼠. Previously included within C. gambianus
(Duplantier, 2013), but shown to be specifically distinct
(Olayemi et al., 2012). Widely distributed in southern and
eastern Africa from SW Kenya and northern Tanzania
to S DR Congo, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique,
Zimbabwe and South Africa (Musser & Carleton, 2005),
although western limits are not yet known may extend into
Uganda. Forests, savanna and human-modified habitats.
Widespread in W and SE Kenya (Monadjem et al., 2015).
Genus Saccostomus Peters, 1846. Pouched Mice
54. Saccostomus mearnsi Heller, 1910. English: Mearns’
Pouched Mouse. Swahili: unavailable. Chinese: 东岸囊
鼠. Recorded from SW Ethiopia to Kenya, S Somalia, E
Uganda and NE Tanzania (Keesing, 2013, Mikula et al.,
2016). Savanna woodlands. In Kenya, widely distributed,
except in parts of the SE (Keesing, 2013).
55. Saccostomus umbriventer Miller, 1910. English:
Brown-bellied Pouched Mouse. Swahili: unavailable.
Chinese: 褐腹囊鼠. Included within S. mearnsi by
Musser & Carleton (2005) and Keesing (2013). Recorded
only from a narrow region in N Tanzania and SW Kenya
(Mikula et al., 2016). Dry savanna habitats. In Kenya, dry
savanna habitats in the SW.
Genus Dendromus Smith, 1829. Climbing Mice
56. Dendromus insignis (Thomas, 1903). English: Montane
African Climbing Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 异攀
鼠. Recorded from a few small and scattered populations
in W DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Grassy
patches, marshes and moist herbaceous vegetation in
montane and highland habitats. In Kenya, recorded from
the Mathews Range, Mt. Kenya, Aberdare Ranges, Mau
Escarpment and Cherangani Hills (Dieterlen, 2013a).
57. Dendromus melanotis Smith, 1834. English: Grey
African Climbing Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese:
黑背攀鼠. Widely distributed in southern Africa, with
small outlier populations in Ethiopia, Liberia, Togo,
Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Wide range
of habitats from grasslands to woodlands (Monadjem,
2013a; Monadjem et al., 2015). In Kenya, restricted to
the S and W.
58. Dendromus messorius (Thomas, 1903). English:
Banana African Climbing Mouse. Swahili: Panya.
Chinese: 汤 氏 攀鼠. Recorded from very small and
highly scattered populations in Ghana, Togo, Cameroon,
NE DR Congo, Uganda and Kenya. Forested areas and
grasslands, as well as banana plantations and cultivated
areas (Happold D, 2013d). In Kenya, recorded from Mt.
Elgon (as D. mysticalis ruddi-see Musser and Carleton,
2005)
59. Dendromus mystacalis Heuglin, 1863. English:
Chestnut African Climbing Mouse. Swahili: Panya.
Chinese: 须攀鼠. Recorded in many countries on the
eastern side of Africa, from Ethiopia to South Africa.
Grassland and savanna habitats. In Kenya, recorded in
the SE (Monadjem, 2013b).
Genus Steatomys Peters, 1846. Fat Mice
60. Steatomys parvus Rhoads, 1896. English: Tiny African
Fat Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 矮肥鼠. Disjunct
and separate distributions in Zambia, Botswana, Angola
and eastern Africa. (Monadjem, 2013c). Dry grasslands,
woodlands and open scrublands. In Kenya, recorded in
the S (Monadjem, 2013c).
Family CRICETIDAE
Genus Lophiomys Milne-Edwards, 1867. Maned Rats
61. Lophiomys imhausi Milne-Edwards, 1867. English:
Maned Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 东非冠
鼠. Disjunct distribution in E Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia,
Somalia, Uganda and Kenya. Recorded in rocky areas
and dry woodlands, but also in moist and montane forests
in Kenya (Happold D, 2013e). In Kenya, recorded from C
and W regions, especially the Central Highlands and on
Mt. Elgon (Kingdon, 1974b).
Family MURIDAE
Genus Acomys I. Geoffroy, 1838. Spiny Mice
62. Acomys cineraceus Heuglin and Fitzinger, 1866.
English: Grey Spiny Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 灰
刺毛鼠. Recorded in Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and N
Kenya. Dry rocky habitats and semi-arid areas. In Kenya,
recorded from the W and E of Lake Turkana (Dieterlen,
2013b).
63. Acomys ignitus Dollman, 1910. English: Fiery Spiny
Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 焰刺毛鼠. Endemic
to SE Kenya and extreme NE Tanzania. Rocky habitats
in dry savanna grasslands. In Kenya, known from Voi and
Tsavo NP (Dieterlen, 2013c).
64. Acomys kempi Dollman, 1911. English: Kemp’s Spiny
Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 肯氏刺毛鼠. Recorded
from Kenya, S Ethiopia, S Somalia and extreme NE
Tanzania. Rocky habitats in dry savanna and semi-desert.
In Kenya, widely distributed in dry areas E of the Rift
Valley (Dieterlen, 2013d).
65. Acomys percivali Dollman, 1911. English: Percival’s
Spiny Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 佩氏刺毛鼠.
Recorded in small areas of S Sudan, SW Ethiopia, N
Uganda and NE Kenya (extending southwards along the
Rift Valley). Rocky habitats. In Kenya, widespread in the
NW (e.g., Chandler’s Falls-Nyiro) and in the Rift Valley
(Takata, 2013a).
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66. Acomys wilsoni Thomas, 1892. English: Wilson’s Spiny
Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 威氏刺毛鼠. Recorded
in South Sudan, S Ethiopia and Somalia, Kenya and N
Tanzania. Rocky habitats and grasslands with shrubs. In
Kenya, widely distributed in most of the country, except W
to C Kenya (Takata, 2013b).
Genus Lophuromys Peters, 1874. Brush-furred Rats
The taxonomy of the genus is controversial (Dieterlen,
2013e) and has not yet been resolved. Following Musser
& Carleton (2005) and Monadjem et al. (2015), we
recognize three species here.
67. Lophuromys ansorgei de Winton, 1986. English:
Ansorge’s Brush-furred Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 安
氏刚毛鼠. Included within L. sikapusi by Dieterlen (2013f).
Recorded from E DR Congo (close to Zaire River), W
DR Congo, Rwanda, W Uganda and Kenya. Widely
distributed in rainforests and montane forests. In Kenya,
recorded from Nyanza close to Lake Victoria (Monadjem
et al., 2015).
68. Lophuromys margarettae Heller, 1912. English:
Margaretta’s Brush-furred Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese:
马氏刚毛鼠. Included within L. flavopunctatus by
Dieterlen (2013g). Recorded in Kenya, Uganda and
southern South Sudan. Highland forests and grasslands.
In Kenya, recorded widely in the southern highlands,
including Mt. Kenya (lower elevations) and Aberdare
Ranges (Monadjem et al., 2015).
69. Lophuromys zena Dollman, 1909. English: Zena’s
Brush-furred Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 泽娜刚毛鼠.
Included within L. flavopunctatus by Dieterlen (2013g). In
Kenya, it is sympatric with L. margarettae on Mt. Kenya
and the Aberdare Ranges (Monadjem et al., 2015), but
typically occurs at higher elevations than the latter species
(Verheyen et al., 2007).
Genus Uranomys Dollman, 1909. Brush-furred Rats
70. Uranomys ruddi Dollman, 1909. English: Rudd’s
Brush-furred Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 白腹
蓬毛鼠. Widely distributed in West Africa, but also
discrete populations in Central, East and southern Africa.
Moist savannas, grasslands and oil plantations (in West
Africa) (Happold D, 2013f). The presence of this species
in Kenya is only known by the type specimen from
“Kirui, southern foothills of Mt. Elgon, Kenya” (Delany,
1975). Due to possible confusion regarding the exact
locality mentioned in Dollman (1909), the presence of this
species in Kenya requires confirmation.
Genus Gerbilliscus Thomas, 1897. Gerbils
71. Gerbilliscus boehmi (Noack, 1887). English: Boehm’s
Gerbil. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 波氏大沙鼠. Formerly
placed in the genus Tatera. Recorded from S Uganda,
Rwanda, Burundi, W Tanzania, Malawi, W Mozambique,
NW Zambia, S DR Congo and E Angola, with isolated
populations in S Kenya. Brachystegia woodlands with
good grass and herb cover (Happold D, 2013g). In Kenya,
recorded from areas near the Lower Ewaso Ng’iro River
in the SW (Musser & Carleton, 2005).
72. Gerbilliscus kempi (Wroughton, 1906). English: Kemp’s
Gerbil. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 凯氏大沙鼠. Previously
Tatera kempi, but now placed in the genus Gerbilliscus.
Recorded from Gambia and Sierra Leone eastwards to
S Sudan, N DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and
Burundi. Savanna grasslands with good grass and shrub
cover, as well as abandoned farmlands (Happold D,
2013h). In Kenya, recorded in the NE.
73. Gerbilliscus nigricaudus (Peters, 1878). English:
Black-tailed Gerbil. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 黑尾沙
鼠. Formerly placed in the genus Tatera. Recorded from
S Ethiopia, S Somalia, Kenya and NE Tanzania. Dry
savanna woodlands and grasslands (Happold D, 2013i).
In Kenya, widespread, although distribution is patchy.
74. Gerbilliscus phillipsi (de Winton, 1898). English:
Phillips’s Gerbil. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 菲利普大
沙鼠. Formerly placed in the genus Tatera. Recorded
disjunctively in C and S Ethiopia, Somaliland and Kenya.
Dry arid savannas and semi-deserts (Happold D, 2013j).
In Kenya, known only from near Baringo in the Rift Valley.
75. Gerbilliscus vicinus (Peters, 1878). English: Vicinus
Gerbil. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 维奇尼大沙鼠.
Formerly placed in the genus Tatera; included within
Gerbilliscus robustus by Happold D (2013k). Recorded
from Tanzania and Kenya. Dryland areas (Monadjem et
al., 2015). In Kenya, found widely throughout the country
but appears to be absent from the drier regions in the NE
and highlands of the SW.
Genus Gerbillus Desmarest, 1804 Gerbils
76. Gerbillus cosensi Dollmann, 2014 English: Cosen’s
Gerbil. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 饰小沙鼠. Sometimes
considered as a synonym of G. agag (Musser & Carleton,
2005). Endemic to NE Uganda and NW Kenya. Dry
semi-arid habitats. In Kenya, recorded in the region
of Lake Turkana (Turkwel Valley, Lodwar, Lokori) and
Archer’s Post (Happold D, 2013l).
77. Gerbillus harwoodi Thomas, 1901. English: Harwood’s
Gerbil. Swahili: Panya. Chinese 哈伍德小沙鼠.
Recorded from Kenya and N-C Tanzania. Grasslands in
Acacia-savanna (Happold D, 2013m). In Kenya, recorded
from the highlands and the Rift Valley in the S.
78. Gerbillus pusillus Peters, 1878. English: Least Gerbil.
Swahili: Panya. Chinese; 肯尼亚小沙鼠. Small isolated
Zoological Research 40(1): 3–52, 2019 11

population. Recorded disjunctively from C Ethiopia, South
Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and N Tanzania. Short dry
grasslands on sandy soils. In Kenya, recorded from near
Lake Turkana and in the SE (Happold D, 2013n).
Genus Taterillus Thomas, 1910. Taterils
79. Taterillus emini (Thomas, 1892). English: Emin’s Tateril.
Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 乍得小裸掌沙鼠. Recorded in
Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, NE DR Congo.
Kenya and N Tanzania. Dry and moist savanna habitats
(Granjon & Dobigny, 2013). In Kenya, widely distributed
in suitable habitats.
Genus Aethomys Thomas, 1915. Veld Rats
80. Aethomys chrysophilus (de Winton, 1897). English:
Red Veld Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 金毛蹊鼠.
Recorded from Kenya southwards to Angola, Namibia,
Botswana, Mozambique and N South Africa. Savannas
woodlands. Separate population ranges occur in N and
SE Kenya (Linzey et al., 2013a).
81. Aethomys hindei (Thomas, 1902). English: Hinde’s
Veld Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 中非蹊鼠. Widely
distributed in Central and East Africa in rocky areas,
dense grass and bush cover, moist and disturbed habitats
(Linzey et al., 2013b). In Kenya, recorded from south of
Lake Turkana and in the coastal SE.
82. Aethomys kaiseri (Noack, 1887). English: Kaiser’s
Veld Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 凯氏蹊鼠.
Recorded from E Angola eastwards to Uganda, Kenya
and Tanzania. Savanna habitats with trees and shrubs.
In Kenya, restricted to a narrow band in the S along the
Kenya-Tanzania border (Linzey et al., 2013c).
Genus Arvicanthis Lesson, 1842. Grass Rats
83. Arvicanthis nairobae J.A. Allen, 1909. English: Nairobi
Grass Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 肯尼亚垄鼠.
Recorded in S-C Kenya and N-C Tanzania. Grasslands
and savanna habitats, mostly in highlands, especially
where habitat is dense (Takata, 2013c). In Kenya,
recorded mostly in highlands east of the Rift Valley.
84. Arvicanthis neumanni (Matschie 1894). English:
Neumann’s Grass Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 诺伊
曼垄鼠. Recorded in E Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and N-C
Tanzania. Recorded in dry bush and savanna habitats
(Bekele, 2013). In Kenya, found only in the NE (Mandera,
Marsabit) and extreme SE.
85. Arvicanthis niloticus (É. Geoffroy, 1803). English:
Nile Grass Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 尼罗
垄鼠. Widely distributed from Senegal to E Sudan
and Ethiopia, extending southwards in eastern Africa
to Tanzania and Zambia. Savanna grasslands near
water sources, shrublands and cultivations (Granjon et al.,
2013). In Kenya, recorded in western half of the country.
Genus Colomys Thomas and Wroughton, 1907. African
Water Rat
86. Colomys goslingi Thomas & Wroughton, 1907. English:
African Water Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 居
鼠. Recorded disjunctively in Cameroon, DR Congo
(N of Zaire River), Burundi, Uganda and Kenya, with
isolated populations also in Angola and Zambia. Streams
and waterways in rainforest and montane forest riverine
habitats (Dieterlen, 2013h). In Kenya, recorded in the
SW highland areas, including Kakamega Forest and Mt.
Elgon.
Genus Dasymys Peters, 1875. Shaggy Rats
87. Dasymys incomtus (Sundevall, 1847). English:
Common Shaggy Rat. Swahili Panya. Chinese: 非洲水鼠.
Widely distributed in eastern and southern Africa, as well
as Ethiopia, Sudan and South Sudan. Reed-beds, long
grass close to water, and damp areas on drainage lines
(Pillay, 2013). In Kenya, widely distributed in the W and S,
mostly west of the Rift Valley.
Genus Grammonys Thomas, 1915. Thickets Rats
88. Grammomys brevirostris Krystufek, 2008. English:
Short-snouted Thicket Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese:
短吻线鼠. Endemic to Kenya. Savanna grasslands
(Krystufek 2008). In Kenya, only known from type locality
(Lemesikio, Loliondo, Loita plains).
89. Grammomys caniceps Hutterer & Dieterlen, 1984.
English: Gray-headed Thicket Rat. Swahili: Panya.
Chinese: 灰头线鼠. Recorded from Somalia and Kenya,
only along coastal regions. Dry coastal savanna with
trees and palms (Hutterer, 2013a). In Kenya, recorded
from the coast N of Mombasa (Malindi).
90. Grammomys dolichurus (Smuts, 1832). English:
Common Thicket Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 南非
线鼠. Recorded widely in the eastern half of Africa from
Uganda and Kenya to South Africa, extending westwards
S of the Congo basin to Angola. Woodland savanna and
gallery forests (Happold D, 2013o). In Kenya, recorded
from the SW, mostly W of the Rift Valley, with a narrow
extension to the coast in the extreme SE.
91. Grammomys gigas Dollman, 1911. English: Giant
Thicket Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese. 巨线鼠. Endemic
to Kenya. Afro-alpine habitat. In Kenya, recorded only
from the type locality at Solai, Mt. Kenya (2 740 m a.s.l.)
(Dieterlen, 2013i).
92. Grammomys ibeanus (Osgood, 1910). English: East
African Thicket Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 莫洛
线鼠. Recorded from disjunct small areas from South
Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi. Evergreen
montane forests and dense thickets (Dieterlen, 2013j). In
12 www.zoores.ac.cn

Kenya, recorded from Mt. Elgon, Mt. Gargues, Mathews
Range, Karissia Hills and Mt. Nyiru and along the
escarpments of the Rift Valley.
93. Grammomys macmillani (Wroughton, 1907). English:
Macmillan’s Thicket Rat. Swahili: unavailable. Chinese:
马氏线鼠. Recorded from small and scattered areas
in Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, South Sudan,
Kenya, Uganda, S Ethiopia and Tanzania. Forests,
riverine forests, grasslands and undergrowth (Dieterlen,
2013k). In Kenya, recorded only in the extreme SE
(Msambweni and Lunga Lunga).
Genus Hylomyscus Thomas, 1926. Wood Mice
94. Hylomyscus endorobae (Thomas, 1906). English:
Endorobo Wood Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 高山
柔毛鼠. Placed within Hylomyscus denniae by Dieterlen
(2013l). Endemic to Kenya. Afro-montane forests. In
Kenya, recorded from upper and lower slopes of Mt.
Kenya, Aberdare Ranges and Mau Escarpment (Carleton
& Byrne, 2006). Specimens from Mt Elgon (as H. denniae;
Clausnitzer, 2003) and Cherangani Hills may belong to
this species.
95. Hylomyscus kerbispeterhansi Demos, Agwanda &
Hickerson, 2014. English: Kerbispeterhans’s Wood
Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 克氏柔毛鼠. Endemic
to Kenya. Montane habitats. In Kenya, recorded from
Aberdare Ranges, Cherangani Hills and Mt. Elgon
(Demos et al., 2014).
96. Hylomyscus kaimosae (Heller, 1912). English: Kaimosi
Wood Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 凯莫斯柔
毛鼠. Placed within Hylomyscus stella by Dieterlen
(2013m). Recorded from isolated populations in W Kenya,
C Tanzania and S South Sudan. Montane and upland
forests. In Kenya, recorded in the Kakamega Forest and
other forests near Lake Victoria (Dieterlen, 2013m, as
Hylomyscus stella).
Genus Lemniscomys Trouessart, 1881. Grass Mice
97. Lemniscomys macculus (Thomas & Wroughton, 1910).
English: Buffoon Grass Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese:
花草鼠. Recorded in NE DR Congo, and parts of Uganda,
SE Sudan, N Kenya and SW Ethiopia. Open grasslands
with Acacia trees and Euphorbia candelabra, rocky areas
and dry river beds (Dieterlen, 2013n). In Kenya, recorded
from some parts of the NE.
98. Lemniscomys rosalia (Thomas, 1904). English:
Single-striped Grass Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese:
蔷薇草鼠. Recorded widely in southern Africa and small
areas of Kenya and Tanzania in savanna habitats and
cultivated areas (Monadjem, 2013d). In Kenya, recorded
in the SE, S of Mombasa.
99. Lemniscomys striatus (Linnaeus, 1758). English:
Striated Grass Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 斑
草鼠. Recorded from Sierra Leone to eastern Africa
and C Ethiopia, and in S DR Congo, N Zambia and N
Angola. Grasslands, woodland savanna, farmlands and
open grassy areas in rainforest (Happold D, 2013p). In
Kenya, recorded widely in the W.
100. Lemniscomys zebra (Heuglin, 1864). English: Zebra
Grass Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 休氏草
鼠. Recorded from Senegal to S Sudan, South Sudan,
Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Dry grasslands and
wooded grasslands with low rainfall. In Kenya, recorded in
the W and S to W of the Rift Valley (Happold D& Dieterlen,
2013).
Genus Mastomys Thomas, 1915. Multimammate Mice
101. Mastomys erythroleucus (Temminck, 1853). English:
Guinea Multimammate Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese:
红乳鼠. Recorded over a wide area from Senegal and
Mauretania to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
Grasslands, secondary forests, agricultural fields and
foodstores (Leirs, 2013a). In Kenya, recorded in the C
and NW.
102. Mastomys natalensis (Smith, 1834). English: Natal
Multimammate Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 南非乳
鼠. Recorded over most of sub-Saharan Africa, except the
extreme SW of the continent (parts of Namibia, Botswana
and South Africa). Grasslands, wooded savannas, fields,
thickets and human-modified habitats (Leirs, 2013b). In
Kenya, recorded throughout most of country.
103. Mastomys pernanus (Kershaw, 1921). English: Dwarf
Multimammate Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 倭
乳鼠. Recorded from small areas of N Tanzania and S
Kenya. Brachystegia woodlands (Leirs, 2013c). In Kenya,
recorded from the extreme SW (Mara River region).
Genus Mus Linnaeus, 1758. Old World Mice and Pygmy Mice
104. Mus mahomet Rhoads, 1896. English: Mahomet Pygmy
Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 索马里小家鼠.
Recorded in Eritrea and Ethiopia, and perhaps in SW
Kenya and SW Uganda (status uncertain). Montane
forests, scrublands and grasslands (Ethiopia) (Yalden,
2013a). In Kenya, presence uncertain, with no locality
records currently available.
105. Mus minutoides Smith, 1834. English: Tiny Pygmy
Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 南非小家鼠. Based
on molecular characterization, this species has been
recorded widely throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including
West Africa (see Monadjem et al., 2015). The similar and
closely related Mus musculoides (West African Pygmy
Mouse) is widely recorded from West Africa, where it is
sympatric with M. minutoides. Hence, recent molecular
Zoological Research 40(1): 3–52, 2019 13

studies have clarified some of the confusion raised and
discussed in the Mammals of Africa accounts (Happold
D, 2013q; Monadjem, 2013e). Savanna woodlands,
grasslands, rocky areas, broad-leaved woodlands and
farmlands. In Kenya, recorded in the NW and S.
106. Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758. English: House Mouse.
Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 小家鼠. Exotic species in
Africa. Recorded in many well-separated locations on the
continent and inland in some places. Human habitations
and some human-modified environments (Happold D,
2013r). In Kenya, recorded from urban centers (e.g.,
Nairobi).
107. Mus sorella (Thomas, 1909). English: Thomas’s Pygmy
Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 乌干达小家鼠.
Recorded in a few discrete areas of the E DR Congo,
Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Savanna grasslands and
woodlands close to gallery forests (Petter, 2013a). In
Kenya, recorded only on Mt. Elgon.
108. Mus tenellus (Thomas, 1903). English: Delicate Pygmy
Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 娇小家鼠. Recorded
mainly from Ethiopia, with isolated populations in C
Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya and Tanzania. Grasslands
with thicket clumps (Petter, 2013b). In Kenya, single
records in C and S regions.
109. Mus triton (Thomas, 1909). English: Gray-bellied
Pygmy Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 海神小家鼠.
Recorded from South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania,
E DR Congo, Malawi and Zambia. Grasslands with
dense cover, forest edges and cultivations, especially
in montane regions (Dieterlen & Happold D, 2013). In
Kenya, recorded in the S and W.
Genus Mylomys Thomas, 1906. Three-toed Grass Rat
110. Mylomys dybowskii (Pousargues, 1893). English:
Dybowski’s Three-toed Grass Rat. Swahili: Panya.
Chinese: 非洲沟齿鼠. Recorded disjunctly from West
Africa to Kenya. Rainforest-savanna mosaics and forest
edges (Dieterlen, 2013o). In Kenya, recorded in the C
and W.
Genus Myomyscus Shortridge, 1942. Meadow Mice
111. Myomyscus brockmani (Thomas, 1908). English:
Brockman’s Meadow Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese:
布氏软毛鼠. Recorded in E DR Congo, South Sudan,
Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, with isolated populations
in W Sudan, Central African Republic, SW Ethiopia and
NW Somalia. Rocky habitats and boulders in high altitude
areas (Happold D, 2013s). In Kenya, widely distributed W
of the Rift Valley.
Genus Oenomys Thomas, 1904. Rufous-nosed Rats
112. Oenomys hypoxanthus (Pucheran, 1855). English:
Common Rufous-nosed Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese:
褐鼻鼠. Recorded widely from Nigeria, Cameroon and
Gabon to DR Congo and East Africa, with isolated
populations in W Ethiopia, Angola and Tanzania. Moist
dense grasslands, forest edges, montane habitats and
cultivated areas (Dieterlen, 2013p). In Kenya, recorded
in the W and C (Aberdare Ranges).
Genus Otomys F. Curvier, 1824. Vlei Rats
The number of species in this genus increased
dramatically with recent molecular studies (see
Monadjem et al., 2015). Taylor (2013a) recognized
15 species in Africa, which was increased to 31 species
by Monadjem et al. (2015). Of these, eight species have
been recorded in Kenya.
113. Otomys angoniensis Wroughton, 1906. English: Angoni
Vlei Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 阿贡沼鼠. Recorded
from Kenya to South Africa, including Angola and Zambia.
Mesic grasslands and savanna woodland habitats near
swamps and water (Taylor, 2013b). In Kenya, recorded
widely in the S and W at higher elevations.
114. Otomys barbouri Lawrence & Loveridge, 1953. English:
Barbour’s Vlei Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 巴氏沼鼠.
Endemic to Kenya and Uganda. Alpine heath on upper
slopes (above 3 200 m a.s.l.). In Kenya, recorded only on
Mt. Elgon (Clausnitzer, 2013).
115. Otomys dollmani Heller, 1912. English: Dollman’s Vlei
Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 道氏沼鼠. Included within
O. tropicalis by Taylor (2013c). In the past, placed as a
subspecies of O. irroratus or O. tropicalis but considered
as a valid species (Carleton & Byrne, 2006). Endemic to
Kenya. Highland forests. In Kenya, recorded only from
Mount Gargues (Urguess) in the Mathews Range.
116. Otomys jacksoni Thomas, 1891. English: Jackson’s
Vlei Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 杰氏沼鼠. Included
within O. typus by Yalden (2013b) but as a valid species
by Musser & Carleton (2005). Endemic to Kenya and
Uganda. Alpine habitats (3 300–4 200 m a.s.l.). In Kenya,
recorded only on Mt. Elgon (Monadjem et al., 2015).
117. Otomys orestes Thomas, 1900. English: Afroalpine Vlei
Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 非洲高山沼鼠. Formerly
considered a synonym of O. irroratus,O. tropicalis or O.
typus but now considered as a valid species (Carleton &
Byrne, 2006). Endemic to Kenya in alpine habitats. In
Kenya, recorded only on Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare
Ranges (Musser & Carleton, 2005; Taylor et al., 2011).
118. Otomys thomasi Osgood, 1910. English: Thomas’ Vlei
Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 托氏沼 鼠. Endemic
to Kenya. Afro-alpine grasslands, scrub and heathland
at higher altitudes (Monadjem et al., 2015). In Kenya,
14 www.zoores.ac.cn

recorded from higher elevations of the Mau Escarpment
(2 450–2700 m a.s.l.) and the Uasin Gishu Plateau W of
the Rift Valley (Monadjem et al., 2015).
119. Otomys tropicalis Thomas, 1902. English: Tropical Vlei
Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 热带沼鼠. Recorded in
scattered localities in South Sudan, E DR Congo, Uganda,
Burundi, Uganda and Kenya. Afro-alpine grasslands,
scrub and heathland at higher elevations (Taylor, 2013c).
In Kenya, recorded widely from Mt. Elgon to the Kenyan
Rift (Monadjem et al., 2015).
120. Otomys typus (Heuglin, 1877). English: Ethiopian Vlei
Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 横沼鼠. Recorded from N
and C Ethiopia, with small disjunct populations in Kenya,
Uganda, Tanzania and N Malawi. Moist grasslands and
swamps at higher elevations. In Kenya, recorded on Mt.
Elgon (Yalden, 2013b).
Genus Pelomys Peters, 1852. Creek Rats
121. Pelomys fallax (Peters, 1852). English: East African
Creek Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 沟齿泽鼠.
Recorded from N Angola and DR Congo to Uganda,
Kenya and Tanzania, and south to Zambia, Malawi and
Mozambique. Creeks, savannas with thick moist grass,
swamps and where water is available for most of the year
(Dieterlen, 2013q). In Kenya, recorded from the S, close
to the Kenya-Tanzania border.
122. Pelomys hopkinsi Hayman, 1955. English: Hopkins’s
Creek Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 卢安达泽
鼠. Recorded in small and isolated areas around Lake
Victoria (SW Uganda, C and S Rwanda and W Kenya).
Occurs in papyrus swamp areas. In Kenya, restricted to
papyrus swampy areas around Lake Victoria (Dieterlen,
2013r).
Genus Praomys Thomas, 1915. Soft-furred Mice
The taxonomy of the genus Praomys is controversial and
has been the subject of debate for many years. The
definition of the genus and constituent species are still
uncertain (Happold D, 2013t). For Africa as a whole,
16 species are recognized (Happold D, 2013t), with three
species occurring in Kenya.
123. Praomys delectorum (Thomas, 1910). English: East
African Soft-furred Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese:
赤道柔毛鼠. Recorded in Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi
and Mozambique. Montane forests in isolated highland
regions (Happold D, 2013u). In Kenya, recorded from the
Shimba Hills.
124. Praomys jacksoni (de Winton, 1897). English:
Jackson’s Soft-furred Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese:
杰氏柔毛鼠. Recorded from Nigeria to eastern East
Africa, including parts of South Sudan, Zambia, Uganda
and Kenya. Rainforests, lowland montane forests and
secondary forests (Dieterlen, 2013s). In Kenya, recorded
in a few localities in the W.
125. Praomys misonnei Van der Straeten and Dieterlen,
1987. English: Misonne’s Soft-furred Mouse. Swahili:
Panya. Chinese: 米氏柔毛鼠. Widespread from the Volta
River, Central Africa, N to W DRC and parts of East Africa
in lowland rainforests. In Kenya, recorded from the W to
Kakamega Forest (Monadjem et al., 2015).
Genus Rattus Fischer, 1803. Rats
126. Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758). English: Black Rat.
Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 黑家鼠. Exotic species in Africa.
Widespread in coastlines and inland within large urban
areas and cities, especially those close to railway lines
(Happold D, 2013v). In Kenya, restricted to the S and W.
Genus Rhabdomys Thomas, 1916. Four-striped Grass Mice
127. Rhabdomys dilectus (de Winton, 1897). English: Mesic
Four-striped Grass Mouse. Swahili: Panya. Chinese:
纹鼠. Included within Rhabdomys striatus by Happold
D (2013w) but now considered as a separate species
(Monadjem et al., 2015). Recorded from Zimbabwe,
Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Angola, Kenya and E Uganda
(Monadjem et al., 2015). Grassy and shrubby habitats
mostly in highland areas. In Kenya, recorded widely from
the highlands in the SW.
Genus Thallomys Thomas, 1920. Acacia Rats
128. Thallomys loringi (Heller, 1909). English: Loring’s
Acacia Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 洛林青毛鼠.
Recorded from W, C and SW Kenya and N Tanzania.
Arboreal in Acacia trees, shrubby woodlands and brushy
thickets in savanna habitats (Carleton, 2013). In Kenya,
recorded from scattered localities in the Rift Valley.
129. Thallomys paedulcus (Sundevall, 1846). English:
Sundevall’s Acacia Rat. Swahili: Panya. Chinese: 松德
瓦尔青毛鼠. Recorded from S Ethiopia and S Somalia
through eastern and Central Africa. Savanna habitats,
especially Acacia woodlands (Perrin, 2013b). In Kenya,
widely distributed in the S, E and N, but its relationship
with T. loringi remains unresolved.
Genus Zelotomys Osgood, 1910. Broad-headed Mice
130. Zelotomys hildegardeae (Thomas, 1902). English:
Hildegarde’s Broad-headed Mouse. Swahili: Panya.
Chinese: 妒鼠. Recorded from SE Central Africa
Republic and South Sudan through East Africa to Zambia,
S DR Congo and Angola. Moist grassland savanna, edge
of swamps and forests, and grasslands (Nel, 2013). In
Kenya, occurs widely in the SW.
Zoological Research 40(1): 3–52, 2019 15

Family ANOMALURIDAE
Genus Anomalurus Waterhouse, 1842. Anomalures
131. Anomalurus derbianus (Gray, 1842). English: Lord
Derby’s Anomalure. Swahili: unavailable. Chinese: 鳞
尾松鼠. Recorded widely in West, Central and East
Africa. Rainforests, secondary forests and riverine forests,
cultivations with large forest trees, and savannas with
relict forests. In Kenya, restricted to highland forests in
the W (Ray, 2013a).
Family PEDETIDAE
Genus Pedetes Illiger, 1811. Springhares
132. Pedetes surdaster (Thomas, 1902). English: East
African Springhare. Swahili: Kamendengere. Chinese:
东非跳兔. Recorded in SC Kenya and C Tanzania.
Semi-arid grassland and open habitats (Butynski & Kalina,
2013). In Kenya, recorded from S of Nairobi on grassland
plateaux, including Amboseli NP and Masai Mara NR.
Family BATHYERGIDAE
Genus Heliophobius Peters, 1846. Silvery Mole-rats
133. Heliophobius argenteocinereus Peters, 1846. English:
Silvery Mole-rat. Swahili: Fuko. Chinese: 霜鼠. Recorded
from S Kenya, SE DR Congo, N Zambia, Malawi
and N and C Mozambique. Combretum-Brachystegia
woodlands, rocky hillsides and agricultural fields. In
Kenya, recorded from C and S regions (Jarvis, 2013b).
Family HETEROCEPHALIDAE
The single genus and species in this family was
previously placed in the family Bathyergidae (Jarvis,
2013c) but is now placed in the newly recognized family
Heterocephalidae (Patterson & Upham, 2014).
Genus Heterocephalus Ruppell, 1842. Naked Mole-rats
134. Heterocephalus glaber Rüppell, 1842. English: Naked
Mole-rat. Swahili: Fuko. Chinese: 裸鼢鼠. Recorded from
Somalia, E Ethiopia and N and SE Kenya. Semi-deserts
and arid habitats with hard soil. In Kenya, recorded widely
from the NE (Jarvis, 2013c).
Family HYSTRICIDAE
Genus Atherurus F. Cuvier, 1829. Brush-tailed Porcupines
135. Atherurus africanus Gray, 1842. English: African
Brush-tailed Porcupine. Swahili: Njiko. Chinese: 非洲帚
尾豪猪. Recorded widely from Senegal to Uganda and
Kenya, including Cameroon, Gabon and C DR Congo.
Rainforests, secondary forests, gallery forests and relict
rainforests (Happold D, 2013x). In Kenya, recorded in the
W.
Genus Hystrix Linnaeus, 1758. Crested Porcupines
136. Hystrix africaeaustralis Peters, 1852. English: Cape
Crested Porcupine. Swahili: Nungunungu Kusi. Chinese:
南非豪猪. Recorded widely from S DR Congo,
Uganda and Kenya throughout the southern part of
Africa. Wooded savannas, semi-arid habitats, forests and
farmlands (Happold D, 2013y). In Kenya, recorded only
from the SW.
137. Hystrix cristata Linnaeus, 1758. English: North African
Crested Porcupine. Swahili: Nungunungu Kishugi.
Chinese: 非洲冕豪猪. Recorded widely in NE Africa
(Morocco, N Algeria) and from Senegal through N Nigeria,
Central African Republic and NE DR Congo to Kenya and
Tanzania, with isolated populations in Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Semi-deserts, woodland and grassland savannas, rocky
hillsides and caves (Happold D, 2013z). In Kenya,
widespread.
Family THRYONOMYIDAE
Genus Thryonomys Fitzinger, 1867. Cane Rats
138. Thryonomys gregorianus (Thomas, 1894). English:
Lesser Cane Rat. Swahili: Ndezi. Chinese: 草原蔗
鼠. Recorded from South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya
southwards to Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe, with
isolated populations in S Chad, Ethiopia, S DR Congo
and perhaps Mozambique. Grasslands and rocky habitats
in savannas (Happold D, 2013za). In Kenya, recorded
widely in the S and W.
139. Thryonomys swinderianus (Temminck, 1827). English:
Greater Cane Rat. Swahili: Ndezi. Chinese: 南撒哈
拉蔗鼠. Recorded from Senegal across West Africa to
the Central African Republic, Uganda and Kenya, and
south to Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Swamps, reedbeds, long grass where damp, sugar cane
plantations, and agricultural fields (Happold D, 2013zb).
In Kenya, mainly in the W and S, where it is sympatric
with T. gregorianus, but typically occurs in wetter habitats
than the latter species.
Family MYOCASTORIDAE
Genus Myocastor Kerr, 1792. Coypu
140. Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782). English: Coypu.
Swahili: unavailable. Chinese: 河狸鼠. Exotic species
in Africa. Introduced into aquatic habitats in southern and
eastern Africa. Swamps, rivers, farm ponds and dams.
In Kenya, recorded in C regions (e.g., Laikipia, Nanyuki,
Aberdare Ranges, Lake Naivasha) (Happold D, 2013zc).
ORDER LAGOMORPHA (Hares and Rock-hares–three
species)
Family LEPORIDAE
Genus Lepus Linnaeus, 1758. Hares and rock-hares
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141. Lepus capensis Linnaeus, 1758. English: Cape Hare;
Swahili: Sungura. Chinese: 草兔. Recorded throughout
most of the continent, except in desert (and other arid
areas) and rainforest; not present from Angola westwards
to Mozambique. Grasslands and other open habitats
(Happold D, 2013zd). In Kenya, recorded in most of the
country, except the NE.
142. Lepus victoriae Thomas, 1893. English: African
Savanna Hare; Swahili: Sungura. Chinese: 海角
兔. Recorded from Mauritania through western Africa
to Sudan, then southwards through Uganda and Kenya
to Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and parts of Botswana
and South Africa. Scrubland, bushland and grassland
habitats, preferring less open areas to L. capensis
(Happold D, 2013ze). In Kenya, recorded W of the Rift
Valley, with an isolated population on Mt. Kenya (Flux &
Flux, 1983).
Genus Pronolagus Lyon, 1904. Rock-Hares
143. Pronolagus rupestris (A. Smith, 1834). English: Smith’s
Red Rock-hare; Swahili: Sungura ya Mawe. Chinese: 红
兔. Recorded in two disjunct areas: (1) Kenya, Tanzania,
NE Zambia and Malawi in a narrow band and bordering
the Rift Valley; (2) NW South Africa. Rocky hillsides
with boulders and rocky crevices (Happold D, 2013zf). In
Kenya, recorded in the SW, including the Ngong Hills.
ORDER ERINACEOMORPHA (Hedgehogs–one species)
Family ERINACEIDAE
Genus Atelerix Pomel, 1848. Hedgehogs
144. Atelerix albiventris (Wagner, 1841). English: White-
bellied Hedgehog; Swahili: Kalunguyeye/Nungunungu.
Chinese: 白腹刺猬. Recorded from Senegal eastwards
across West Africa to Sudan, Somalia and lower
elevations of Ethiopia, and then southwards through
Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania to Malawi and Zambia.
Savanna and semi-arid habitats, including fields and
suburban gardens. In Kenya, recorded throughout most
of the country (Happold D, 2013zg).
ORDER SORICOMORPHA (Shrews–36 species)
The Swahili name for the cryptic, unobtrusive and hard-to-see
shrew species of this order is ‘Kirukanjia/Njule’
Family SORICIDAE
Genus Crocidura Wagler, 1832. White-toothed Shrews
145. Crocidura allex Osgood, 1910. English: East African
Highland Shrew. Chinese: 肯尼亚麝鼩. Recorded from
Kenya and N Tanzania. In alpine grasslands and swamp
habitats. In Kenya, recorded from C regions (Mau Forest,
Aberdare Range, Mt. Kenya) (Hutterer, 2013b).
146. Crocidura bottegi Thomas, 1898. English: Bottego’s
Shrew. Chinese: 博氏麝鼩. Recorded from Kenya
and Ethiopia. In Acacia-Commiphora bushlands and
arid habitats. In Kenya, recorded from the N (Marsabit)
(Hutterer, 2013c).
147. Crocidura elgonius Osgood, 1910. English. Elgon
Shrew. Chinese: 埃尔贡麝鼩. Recorded from Kenya
and Tanzania. In highland and montane habitats. In
Kenya, recorded in C (Muguga Nairobi) and W regions
(Cherangani, Mt. Elgon, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kakamega
Forest) (Stanley, 2013a).
148. Crocidura fischeri Pagenstecher, 1885. English:
Fischer’s Shrew. Chinese: 费氏麝鼩. Recorded from
Kenya and N Tanzania. In grasslands of Acacia savanna
woodlands, with scattered dominant Acacia tortilis trees.
In Kenya, recorded from S regions (Nguruman, N of Lake
Natron) (Hutterer, 1986; Oguge, 2013a).
149. Crocidura fulvastra (Sundevall, 1843). English:
Savanna Shrew. Chinese: 金色麝鼩. Recorded from Mali,
N Nigeria, S and C Sudan, Ethiopia and N Kenya. In drier
savanna and arid habitats. In Kenya, recorded in the N
(around Lake Turkana) (Churchfield & Jenkins, 2013a).
150. Crocidura fumosa Thomas, 1904. English. Smoky
White-toothed Shrew. Chinese: 烟色麝鼩. Endemic to
Kenya and restricted to moist montane forest habitats
of the E slopes Mt. Kenya and Aberdare Ranges
(Churchfield & Jenkins, 2013b). Specimens from Mt.
Kenya were studied genetically by Stanley et al. (2015).
151. Crocidura fuscomurina (Heuglin, 1865). English:
Bicoloured Musk Shrew. Chinese: 纺锤麝鼩. Recorded
from many countries in West, East, East-Central and
southern Africa. In woodland savannas and semi-arid
habitats. In Kenya, widely distributed (Dippenaar &
Baxter, 2013).
152. Crocidura hildegardeae Thomas, 1904. English:
Hildegarde’s Shrew. Chinese: 尼日利亚麝鼩. Recorded
from SE Cameroon and Congo to Kenya and Tanzania.
In dry forests and wetter forests of montane and highland
areas. In Kenya, recorded W of the Rift Valley from the
NW-SE (Stanley, 2013b).
153. Crocidura jacksoni Thomas, 1904. English: Jackson’s
Shrew. Chinese: 杰克逊麝鼩. Recorded from Uganda,
Kenya, N Tanzania and E DR Congo. In moist forests, wet
bushlands and cultivated areas. In Kenya, widely found W
of the Rift Valley (Oguge, 2013b).
154. Crocidura littoralis Heller, 1910. English: Naked-tail
Shrew. Chinese: 滨海麝鼩. Recorded from SW Central
African Republic, Cameroon, Congo, DR Congo, Uganda
and Kenya. In closed-canopy rainforests. Restricted to W
Kenya (Ray & Hutterer, 2013).
Zoological Research 40(1): 3–52, 2019 17

155. Crocidura luna Dollman, 1910. English: Moonshine
Shrew. Chinese: 新月麝鼩. With more than one
species, this complex needs taxonomic revision (Castiglia
et al., 2009). Recorded from NE DR Congo, Uganda,
Kenya, most of Tanzania, Zambia, SE DR Congo, WC
Mozambique, Malawi and Mozambique. In moist, cool
areas, typically on the fringes of montane forests with
dense cover and in matted grass along streams. In Kenya,
recorded from the S and W (Baxter & Dippenaar, 2013a).
156. Crocidura macarthuri St. Leger, 1934. English:
MacArthur’s Shrew. Chinese: 麦氏麝鼩. Recorded from S
Kenya (Nguruman) and C Somalia. In wooded grasslands
with widely scattered Acacia trees, e.g., Acacia tortilis,
interspersed with Themeda,Hyparrhenia and Cenchrus
grasses (S Kenya) (Oguge, 2013c) and Meru National
Park (Hutterer, unpublished data).
157. Crocidura macowi Dollman, 1915. English: Nyiro Shrew.
Chinese: 麦考麝鼩. Endemic to Kenya and recorded
from Mt. Nyiro and S of Lake Turkana in tropical forests
(Churchfield & Jenkins, 2013c).
158. Crocidura monax Thomas, 1910. English: Kilimanjaro
Shrew. Chinese: 僧麝鼩. Recorded from N Mt. Pare and
Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and also possibly present on
the Kenyan side of Mt. Kilimanjaro (Stanley et al., 2015).
In moist montane forest habitats.
159. Crocidura montis Thomas, 1906. English: Montane
White-toothed Shrew. Chinese: 山林麝鼩. This species is
possibly restricted to Mt. Rwenzori, DR Congo (Stanley et
al., 2015). Other populations in East Africa may represent
different species, which require revision. In montane
grasslands. In Kenya, recorded under this name from C
and W regions (Hutterer, 2013d).
160. Crocidura nanilla Thomas, 1909. English: Savanna
Dwarf Shrew. Chinese: 西非麝鼩. Recorded from
Mauritania to E Africa (Happold D, 2013zh). Species may
be composite; Thorn & Kerbis Peterhans (2009) restricted
the type locality of C. nanilla to the “Rift Valley of central
Kenya, probably near Kinangop, approximately S0◦450
E36◦300.
161. Crocidura nigrofusca Matschie, 1895. English: African
Black Shrew. Chinese: 非洲黑麝鼩. Recorded from East
Africa as well as S Ethiopia, southern Sudan, Zambia,
Angola, C and S DR Congo, Zambia and Malawi. In damp
habitats near water courses. In Kenya, widely distributed
(Hutterer, 2013e; Oguge et al., 2004).
162. Crocidura olivieri (Lesson, 1827). English: African
Giant Shrew. Chinese: 非洲大麝鼩. Very widespread,
but polytypic African shrew recorded from western to
southern Africa, including Egypt. In a wide variety of
habitats. In Kenya, widespread (Churchfield & Hutterer,
2013; Jacquet et al., 2015).
163. Crocidura parvipes Osgood, 1910. English:
Small-footed Shrew. Chinese: 小足麝鼩. Recorded
from East, Central and southern Africa. In dry savanna,
mixed forest and gallery forest habitats. In Kenya, widely
distributed W of the Rift Valley (Hutterer, 2013f).
164. Crocidura raineyi Heller, 1912. English: Rainey’s Shrew.
Chinese: 雷氏麝鼩. Endemic to Kenya and recorded from
Mt. Gargues and Matthews Range. In montane forests
and along creeks (Hutterer, 2013g).
165. Crocidura selina Dollman, 1915. English: Uganda
Lowland Shrew. Chinese: 甘蓝麝鼩. Recorded
from Uganda and SE (Chyulu Hills) Kenya. In lowland
evergreen forest habitats (Hutterer, 2013h). Specimens
from Chyulu Hills are similar but not yet fully studied
(Oguge et al., 2004).
166. Crocidura turba Dollman, 1910. English: Turbo Shrew.
Chinese: 安哥拉麝鼩. Recorded from NW Cameroon
to Kenya southwards to Zambia and Angola. In dry
forest, montane forests, riverine habitats, bushlands and
grasslands. In Kenya, recorded from W of the Rift Valley
(Oguge, 2013d).
167. Crocidura ultima Dollman, 1915. English: Ultimate
Shrew. Chinese: 罕麝鼩. Endemic to Kenya and recorded
from the Jombeni Range, near Nyeri. In montane tropical
moist forest (Churchfield & Jenkins, 2013d).
168. Crocidura viaria (I. Geoffroy, 1834). English: Savanna
Path Shrew. Chinese: 路麝鼩. Recorded from S
Morocco to Senegal and eastwards to Sudan, W Ethiopia
and Kenya. In cultivated fields, sand dunes and dense
shrubby vegetation. In Kenya, widely distributed (Hutterer,
2013i).
169. Crocidura voi Osgood, 1910. English: Voi Shrew.
Chinese: 沃伊麝鼩. Recorded from Kenya, Somalia,
Ethiopia and Sudan, including a single record in Nigeria
and Mali. In very dry savannas and coastal forests. In
Kenya, widely distributed (Happold D, 2013zi).
170. Crocidura xantippe Osgood, 1910. English: Xanthippe’s
Shrew. Chinese: 尼鲁麝鼩. Recorded from SE Kenya and
Tanzania. In a wide variety of habitats (Stanley, 2013c).
171. Crocidura yankariensis Hutterer & Jenkins, 1980.
English: Yankari Shrew. Chinese: 博契麝鼩. Recorded
from Nigeria, Cameroon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and
Somalia. In dry savannas. In Kenya, recorded from the
NW (W Turkana, Lotikipi area). (Hutterer, 2013j).
172. Crocidura zaphiri Dollman, 1915. English: Zaphir’s
Shrew. Chinese: 扎氏麝鼩. Taxonomical status unknown.
Recorded from S Ethiopia and W Kenya (Kaimosi and
Kisumu). In tropical forests (Churchfield & Jenkins,
2013e).
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Genus Suncus Ehrenberg, 1832. Pygmy and House Shrews
173. Suncus aequatorius (Heller, 1912). English: Taita Dwarf
Shrew. Chinese: 泰塔臭鼩. Recorded from SE Kenya