The distribution, identification, and naming of the Mastomys natalensis species complex in southern Africa (Rodentia: Muridae)

  1. Christopher A. Green1,
  2. Hillary Keogh2,
  3. D. H. Gordon4,
  4. M. Pinto3,
  5. E. K. Hartwig5

Article first published online: 20 AUG 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1980.tb04215.x

Issue

Journal of Zoology

Journal of Zoology

Volume 192, Issue 1, pages 17–23, September 1980

Additional Information

How to Cite

Green, C. A., Keogh, H., Gordon, D. H., Pinto, M. and Hartwig, E. K. (1980), The distribution, identification, and naming of the Mastomys natalensis species complex in southern Africa (Rodentia: Muridae). Journal of Zoology, 192: 17–23. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1980.tb04215.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    *Department of Medical Entomology

  2. 2

    ‡Department of Epidemiology

  3. 3

    §Department of Human Genetics, South African Institute for Medical Research, P.O. Box 1038, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa and also School of Pathology, The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

  4. 4

    **Blair Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 8105, Causeway, Salisbury, Zimbabwe/Rhodesia

  5. 5

    ‡‡Department of State Health, Private Bag X88, Pretoria, South Africa

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 20 AUG 2009
  2. Article first published online: 20 AUG 2009
  3. 13 November 1979

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Three hundred and forty seven rats belonging to the Mastomys natalensis complex (Smith, 1834) were live trapped from 60 localities in southern Africa. They were identified as species A, or B using either or both diploid chromosome number and haemoglobin electromorphs. These, and previously published data are presented to give a distribution of the species in southern Africa. It is suggested that workers may safely use the haemoglobin marker for identification purposes in this region as opposed to the more difficult chromosome marker. We suggest that species A can be referred to M. natalensis (Smith, 1834), and species B to M. coucha (Smith, 1836). We consider the two other oldest synonyms, M. caffer (Smith, 1834), and M. marikquensis (Smith, 1836).

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