Otomys lacustris

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	RODENTIA	MURIDAE

Scientific Name:

Otomys lacustris

Species Authority:

G.M. Allen & Loveridge, 1933

Common Name/s:

English

–

Tanzanian Vlei Rat

Taxonomic Notes:

This species was previously a synonym of Otomys anchietae. It was found to be distinct by Taylor and Kumurai (2001).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable B1ab(iii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Taylor, P.J. & Maree, S.

Reviewer/s:

Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Cox, N. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Listed as Vulnerable because its extent of occurrence is less than 20,000 km², its distribution is severely fragmented, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat due to fires and overgrazing.

History:

2004

–

Near Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is known from isolated populations from extreme northern Malawi, south-central Tanzania (Poroto and Ukinga Mountains) and south-western Kenya, with a single record from Abercorn (=Mbala) Lucheche River in northern Zambia. It ranges from 1,400 to 2,300 m asl.
Countries:	Native: Kenya; Malawi; Tanzania, United Republic of; Zambia
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	It is probably a common species. Populations fluctuate with fires and drought.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It occurs in montane grassland and swamp. Its is not known if the species is found in farmland.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Fires caused by both farmers and by poachers hunting large mammals are a potential threat. The species is also threatened by overgrazing of its habitat by domestic livestock.

Major Threat(s):

Fires caused by both farmers and by poachers hunting large mammals are a potential threat. The species is also threatened by overgrazing of its habitat by domestic livestock.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The range of the species includes a few protected areas.

Conservation Actions:

The range of the species includes a few protected areas.

Citation:	Taylor, P.J. & Maree, S. 2008. Otomys lacustris. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 June 2013.
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