Thomas's vlei rat explained

Thomas's vlei rat (Otomys thomasi) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is endemic to Kenya's high plateau mountains of the Rift Valley.

Taxonomy

Osgood (1910) initially described this species as Otomys thomasi. In 2006, it would be included under Otomys orestes (afroalpine vlei rat) by Carleton & Byrne. Taylor et al. (2011) reviewed the genus Otomys and moved Otomys thomasi back to species status.[1]

Conservation

It is known from less than 10 locations in Kenya and isn't recorded in protected areas, hence the assessment of the species as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN.

Notes and References

  1. Taylor . Peter J. . Lavrenchenko . Leonid A. . Carleton . Michael D. . Verheyen . Erik . Bennett . Nigel C. . Oosthuizen . Carel J. . Maree . Sarita . Specific limits and emerging diversity patterns in East African populations of laminate-toothed rats, genus Otomys (Muridae: Murinae: Otomyini): Revision of the Otomys typus complex . Zootaxa . 13 September 2011 . 3024 . 1 . 1–66 . 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.3024.1.1. 59381852. 17 February 2023.