Order

Rodentia

Key region

N/A

Range

Togo

How this species is doing

The Togo Mouse, or Büttner’s African Forest Mouse (Leimacomys buettneri), is known only from its type locality in a forest area of Togo, Africa, though it may also occur in neighbouring regions of Ghana. Only two specimens have ever been collected – both by R. Büttner, or his local assistant, in 1890. In the 1990s, two expeditions attempted to rediscover this species, but were unsuccessful. However, at the time, field staff at Kyabobo Range National Park did indicate that they knew the species based on pictures that they were shown. At Shiare, which is even closer to the original Togo locality, locals seemed to know the species from description, by the name “Yefuli”. Research is urgently needed to clarify the current status of this little-known rodent. The Togo Mouse is listed as Data Deficient on the Red List, and is one of Re:wild’s Lost Species.

Pressure

The specific threats to this species are not know, although West African rainforests in general are under threat from forest loss and degradation.

Responses

The Togo Mouse has been identified as one of Re:wild’s Lost Species. Efforts are underway to search for this species, and may rely on indigenous knowledge as well as field survey work.

Knowledge level

Our knowledge of the ecology of this species is incredibly limited. The head and body length is 118 mm, with a relatively short tail of 37 mm. This unusually short tail is considered an important diagnostic feature. The animal is dark to grey brown with small, hairy ears. The dentition and stomach contents point to a partially insectivorous diet, whilst its short tail suggests a terrestrial lifestyle. The original two specimens were found in forest. Nothing else of its ecology or habitat use is known.