Bathyergidae Author Don E. Wilson Author Thomas E. Lacher, Jr Author Russell A. Mittermeier text 2016 2016-07-31 Lynx Edicions Barcelona Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I 352 370 book chapter 58515 10.5281/zenodo.6584692 b8867962-e924-4e49-8d2b-47ed56116943 978-84-941892-3-4 6584692 17. Mashona Mole-rat Fukomys darlingi French: Bathyergue de Darling / German: Mashona-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Mashona Other common names: Darling's Mole-rat Taxonomy. Georychus darling Thomas, 1895 , “Salisbury [= Harare], 5000 feet [1524 m],” Zimbabwe . This species is monotypic. Distribution. N & E Zimbabwe and C Mozambique. Descriptive notes. Head-body 125-165 mm (males) and 135-150 (females); tail 8-13 mm (males) and 10 mm (females); weight 60-80 g (males) and 54-92 g (females). The Mashona Mole-rat is medium-sized, with white head patch and brown to black dorsal pelage. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 54, FN = 80. Habitat. Mesic cultivated areas with high and predictable annual rainfall (¢.700 mm). Food and Feeding. The Mashona Mole-rat is herbivorous and eats geophytes and tubers. Breeding. Breeding of the Mashona Mole-rat is aseasonal. Gestation is 56-61 days; litter size averages 1-7 young (range. 1-3), with three litters per year. Colonies have a single breeding pair, with remainder of colony non-reproductive; reproductive female suppresses breeding of other females. Activity patterns. The Mashona Mole-rats can distinguish between light and dark and has a circadian rhythm. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Mashona Mole-rats are social and live in colonies of 5-9 individuals; sexual ratio is skewed toward males. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Aguilar (1993), Bennett (2013a), Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Bennett, Jarvis & Cotterill (1994), Gabathuler et al. (1996), Greeff & Bennett (2000), Maree, Faulkes & Cotterill (2008), Monadjem et al. (2015), Vasicek et al. (2005), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005).