Biology:Natal multimammate mouse
| Natal multimammate mouse | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Mastomys |
| Species: | M. natalensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Mastomys natalensis | |
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List
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The Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is also known as the Natal multimammate rat, the common African rat, African soft fur rat or the African soft-furred mouse.[3] The Natal multimammate rat is the natural host of the Lassa fever virus.
Range
It is found in Africa south of the Sahara. Six different genetic groups can be distinguished in different regions: one in western Africa, one in central Africa, one in southern Africa and three in eastern Africa.[4]
Habitat
Its natural habitats include subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, arable land, pastureland, rural gardens, urban areas, irrigated land, and seasonally flooded agricultural land.
These rats are closely associated with humans, and are commonly found in and around African villages.
Interactions with humans
The species has been used as a laboratory animal since 1939. It has great value for researchers studying stomach cancer and spontaneous tumors. It is also the most important reservoir of the Lassa fever virus.[5] It is also bred domestically as food for various pet snake species such as ball pythons and boa constrictors. [6] Additionally, it is occasionally kept as a pet. [7]
References
- ↑ Granjon, L. (2016). "Mastomys natalensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T12868A22425266.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12868/22425266. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ Mastomys natalensis (A. Smith, 1834) in Bánki, O., Roskov, Y., Döring, M., Ower, G., Hernández Robles, D. R., Plata Corredor, C. A., Stjernegaard Jeppesen, T., Örn, A., Pape, T., Hobern, D., Garnett, S., Little, H., DeWalt, R. E., Miller, J., Orrell, T., Aalbu, R., Abbott, J., Abreu, C., Acero P, A., et al. (2026). Catalogue of Life (2026-08-26 XR). Catalogue of Life Foundation, Amsterdam, Netherlands. doi:10.48580/dgyy9
- ↑ "Multimammate Mice". http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jean.wright93/mm/mm.htm.
- ↑ Colangelo, Paolo (2013). "A mitochondrial phylogeographic scenario for the most widespread African rodent, Mastomys natalensis". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 108 (4): 901–916. doi:10.1111/bij.12013.
- ↑ Clive Roots; Domestication - page: 115
- ↑ D'Avignon, Nicole (February 17, 2022). "Diversifying Snake Diets". https://bewildnc.org/diversifying-snake-diets.
- ↑ Murray, Janet (August 31, 2022). "African Soft Fur Rats: Do They Make Good Pets?" (in English). https://a-z-animals.com/blog/african-soft-fur-rats-do-they-make-good-pets/.
External links
- Granjon, L., Lavrenchenko, L., Corti, M., Coetzee, N. & Rahman, E.A. 2004. Mastomys natalensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 9 July 2007.
- Musser, G.G.; Carleton, M.D. (2005). "Superfamily Muroidea". in Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 1365. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/biology/resources/msw3/browse.asp?id=13001472.
- Tofts, Russell. Multimammate Mice. Smalll & Furries UK. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
Template:Murinae (Stenocephalomys–Xeromys)
Wikidata ☰ Q1761383 entry
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