View source for Dendromus

{{Short description|Genus of rodents}}
{{italictitle}}{{automatic taxobox
| name = Climbing mice
| fossil_range = Late [[Miocene]] - Recent
| image = klatre08.jpg
| image_caption = [[Chestnut climbing mouse]], (''Dendromus mystacalis'')
| taxon = Dendromus
| authority = [[Andrew Smith (zoologist)|A. Smith]], 1829
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = 
''[[Dendromus insignis]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus kahuziensis]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus leucostomus]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus lachaisei]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus lovati]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus melanotis]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus mesomelas]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus messorius]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus mystacalis]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus nyasae]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus nyikae]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus oreas]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus ruppi]]''<br>
''[[Dendromus vernayi]]''
}}

Mice in the [[genus]] '''''Dendromus''''' are commonly referred to as African climbing mice or tree mice, although these terms are often used to describe all members of the subfamily [[Dendromurinae]].  The genus is currently restricted to [[sub-Saharan Africa]], but [[fossil]]s classified in the genus have been found from Late [[Miocene]] deposits in [[Arabia]] and [[Europe]].

==Characteristics==
Mice in the genus ''Dendromus'' are small (Head and body: 5–10&nbsp;cm) with relatively long tails (6–13&nbsp;cm).  This tail is semi-[[prehensile]] and provides an aid in climbing.  The dense fur is grey or brown and either one or two stripes are present on the back.  Unlike most other [[muroid]]s, these mice have only three fingers on each hand.  They are also distinguished by their grooved [[incisor]]s.

==Natural history==
Habitat varies widely.  [[Elevation]] ranges from [[sea-level]] to 4300 m.  Anecdotal evidence suggests they are [[arboreal]], but data supporting this [[hypothesis]] are limited.  They do appear to be good climbers and the degree to which they spend time in trees seems to vary by species.

==Species==
Genus ''Dendromus'' - Climbing mice
*[[Montane African climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus insignis''
*[[Mount Kahuzi climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus kahuziensis''
*[[Lachaise's climbing mouse]], ''[[Dendromus lachaisei]]''
*[[Monard's African climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus leucostomus''
*[[Lovat's climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus lovati''
*[[Gray climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus melanotis''
*[[Brants's climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus mesomelas''
*[[Banana climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus messorius''
*[[Chestnut climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus mystacalis''
*[[Kivu climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus nyasae (kivu)''
*[[Nyika climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus nyikae''
*[[Cameroon climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus oreas''
*[[Rupp's African climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus ruppi''
*[[Vernay's climbing mouse]], ''Dendromus vernayi''

==References==
*Denys, C. and V. Aniskine. 2012. On a new species of ''Dendromus'' (Rodentia, Nesomyidae) from Mount Nimba, Guinea. Mammalia, 76:295–308.
*McKenna, Malcolm C., and Bell, Susan K. 1997. ''Classification of Mammals Above the Species Level.'' Columbia University Press, New York, 631 pp.&nbsp;{{ISBN|0-231-11013-8}}
*Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. pp.&nbsp;894–1531 ''in'' Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
*Nowak, Ronald M. 1999. ''Walker's Mammals of the World'', 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1936 pp.&nbsp;{{ISBN|0-8018-5789-9}}

{{Nesomyidae nav}}
{{Myomorpha|E.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q386262}}

[[Category:Dendromus| ]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Andrew Smith (zoologist)]]
[[Category:Rodent genera]]