Rhynchocyon chrysopygus

Gunther, 1881

Golden-rumped Sengi

Figure 1. Photograph by G. Rathbun.

Figure 2. FMNH 153106. Photograph by R. Banasiak.

Type Description:

Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1881:164

Type Locality:

Kenya, Mombasa.

Measurements:

Head and body: 235-315 mm

Tail length: 190-263 mm

Weight: 408-440 g

Description:

Rhynchocyon chrysopygus is recognized by the bright golden rump, contrasting with the rufous colour on the front of the animal.

Comparisons:

None of the other Rhynchocyon species have a bright golden rump.

Distribution:

Rhynchocyon chrysopygus is restricted to coastal forests of central and southern Kenya within dry evergreen thickets. (Kingdon, 1984, 1997) There have been unconfirmed reports of it occurring in the coastal forests of Tanzania.

Ecological Notes:

This diurnal animal builds nests of leaves and stays in the same nest for one to three nights, until moving and building a new nest. R. chrysopygus breeds throughout the year and breeding couples form monogamous pairs (Rathbun, 1979).

Key Reference:

1. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Insectivores and Bats). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2A:40-52.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 152.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1739-1742.
4. Rathbun, G. B. 1979. Rhynchocyon chrysopygus. Mammalian Species, No. 117, pps. 1-4.