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Article Dans Une Revue Zoological Studies Année : 2006

Swimming ability in 5 species of African rainforest murid rodents in relation to their habitat preferences

Résumé

The swimming abilities of 5 species of rainforest rodents (Heimyscus fumosus (Brosset et al.), Hybomys nivittatus (Peters), Hylomyscus stella (Thomas), Malacomys longipes Milne-Edwards, and Praomys cf. misonnei Van der Straeten and Dieterlen) are described in order to discuss the relation between the ability of these species to escape flooding by swimming, and their preference for upland or flooded forest habitats. The 5 species exhibited a gradient of swimming abilities: the 2 upland species (H. univittatus and H. fumosus) were poor swimmers; the 2 habitat generalists (P. cf misonnei and H. stella) were better swimmers but did not use the underwater medium; and the species which preferentially inhabits flooded forest (M. longipes) could swim well on and below the water surface. These differences in swimming ability may be related to differences in the resistance of the fur to absorb water, tail and hind foot lengths, and the use of either continuous or intermittent swimming among these species.
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Dates et versions

hal-00015457 , version 1 (08-12-2005)

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  • HAL Id : hal-00015457 , version 1

Citer

Violaine Nicolas, Marc Colyn. Swimming ability in 5 species of African rainforest murid rodents in relation to their habitat preferences. Zoological Studies, 2006, 45(2), pp.264-268. ⟨hal-00015457⟩
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