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 Mandible, lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal specie ...

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 Guine ...

''. 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, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, the Congo Republic or simply the Congo (the last ambiguously also referring to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo), is a country located on the western coast of Central ...

Gabon Gabon ( ; ), officially the Gabonese Republic (), is a country on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa, on the equator, bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, the Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and ...

Central African Republic The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Chad to Central African Republic–Chad border, the north, Sudan to Central African Republic–Sudan border, the northeast, South Sudan to Central ...

, and south-east and western

Cameroon Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is a country in Central Africa. It shares boundaries with Nigeria to the west and north, Chad to the northeast, the Central African Republic to the east, and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the R ...

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