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 13. Mechow’s Mole-rat Fukomys mechowii French: Bathyergue de Mechow / German: Riesengraumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Mechow Other common names: Angolan Giant Mole-rat , Giant Mole-rat , Mechow’s Mole Rat Taxonomy. Georychus mechowii Peters, 1881 , Malange, Angola. This species is monotypic. Distribution. S & E DR Congo, E Angola, and N Zambia; recorded from N Malawi (Rumphi) and SW Tanzania (Ufipa), but identification of both records has not been fully confirmed. Descriptive notes. Head-body 156-262 mm (males) and 135-205 mm (females), tail 23-31 mm (males) and 23-33-7 mm (females); weight 250-440 g (males) and 218-286 g (females). Mechow’s Mole-rat is the largest species of Fukomys . Its pelage is ocher dorsally and paler ventrally; it does not have a head patch. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 40, FN = 78 or 80. Habitat. Generalist in terms of soils in agriculturalfields, forests, and brushlands with average annual rainfall of 1200 mm. Food and Feeding. Mechow’s Mole-rat eats bulbs, tubers, grass roots, geophytes, and cultivated crops such as cassava and potatoes. Breeding. Breeding of Mechow’s Mole-rat is aseasonal. Gestation is 97-111 days, and litter size averages two young (range 1-3). Activity patterns. Activity of Mechow’s Mole-rat is correlated with temperature; excavation of burrow is performed by non-reproductive individuals. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Home range of Mechow’s Mole-rat averages 0-26 ha. Burrow systems cover 2-3 ha and contain nest chambers, food stores, and latrines. Mechow’s Mole-rats are social and live in colonies 3-20 individuals. They are monogamous, with more than one generation in a colony; breeding pairs appear to be unrelated. Litter sizes are 2—4 young. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Experienced hunters can harvest 600-800 Mechow’s Mole-rats/year, which could affect conservation in certain areas. Bibliography. Bednéarova et al. (2013), Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Burda & Kawalika (1993), Lévy et al. (2013), Macholan et al. (1993), Maree & Faulkes (2008d), Scharff, LockerGritjen et al. (2001), Sichilima et al. (2008), Sumbera et al. (2012), Van Daele et al. (2004), Wallace & Bennett (1998), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005).