Walter Verheyen's mouse (''Hylomyscus walterverheyeni'') is a species of

rodent Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the Order (biology), order Rodentia (), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal species are roden ...

of the genus ''

Hylomyscus ''Hylomyscus'' is a genus of rodent in the family Muridae endemic to Africa. It contains 21 species divided into six species groups: *''H. aeta'' group **Beaded wood mouse, ''Hylomyscus aeta'' **Mount Oku wood mouse, ''Hylomyscus grandis'' * ...

'' that is found in the Central African lowland and mountain forests.

Description

The species was first described in 2008 and was named after Walter Verheyen, who was the first to study the genus ''Hylomyscus''. ''Hylomyscus walterverheyeni'' has soft, fine fur which is reddish brown on its back and whitish gray on its underside. Juveniles are blackish gray. The mean head-body length is 86 mm and the mean tail length is 129 mm. It weighs between 11 and 29 g (mean 18 g). The species morphology is very similar to related species ''

Hylomyscus stella The Stella hylomyscus or Stella wood mouse (''Hylomyscus stella'') is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial G ...

''. It can be distinguished by

DNA analysis Genetic testing, also known as DNA testing, is used to identify changes in DNA sequence or chromosome structure. Genetic testing can also include measuring the results of genetic changes, such as RNA analysis as an output of gene expression, or ...

, and cranial and dental

morphometrics Morphometrics (from Greek μορϕή ''morphe'', "shape, form", and -μετρία ''metria'', "measurement") or morphometry refers to the quantitative analysis of ''form'', a concept that encompasses size and shape. Morphometric analyses are co ...

Distribution

The species is found in forests up to 2000 m is the

Republic of Congo The Republic of the Congo (french: République du Congo, ln, Republíki ya Kongó), also known as Congo-Brazzaville, the Congo Republic or simply either Congo or the Congo, is a country located in the western coast of Central Africa to the w ...

Gabon Gabon (; ; snq, Ngabu), officially the Gabonese Republic (french: République gabonaise), is a country on the west coast of Central Africa. Located on the equator, it is bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north ...

Central African Republic The Central African Republic (CAR; ; , RCA; , or , ) is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Chad to the north, Sudan to the northeast, South Sudan to the southeast, the DR Congo to the south, the Republic of the C ...

, and south-east and western

Cameroon Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west- central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; th ...

Diet

Their diet consists of insects, fruits, and seeds. The availability of food depends on the location and time of year.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3787850 Hylomyscus Mammals of Gabon Mammals of Cameroon Mammals described in 2008