The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Lemniscomys rosalia | 1

Taxonomy

Lemniscomys rosalia (Thomas 1904)

ANIMALIA - CHORDATA - MAMMALIA - RODENTIA -

MURIDAE - Lemniscomys - rosalia

Common names: Single-striped Grass Mouse, Zebra

Mouse (English), Eenstreepmuis (Afrikaans)

Taxonomic status: Species

Taxonomic notes: Meester et al. (1986) listed four

subspecies of which only one, Lemniscomys r. spinalis

(Thomas 1916) occurs in the assessment region: KwaZulu-

Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng and North West

provinces, as well as Swaziland and western Zimbabwe.

Van der Straeten et al. (2008) note that L. rosalia may

represent a complex of species. However, as only one

subspecies is listed for the assessment region, and due to

the lack of either morphometric or genetic data, we treat it

as a single species for this assessment.

Lemniscomys rosalia – Single-striped Grass Mouse

Regional Red List status (2016) Least Concern

National Red List status (2004) Data Deficient

Reasons for change Non-genuine:

change in risk

tolerance

Global Red List status (2016) Least Concern

TOPS listing (NEMBA) (2007) None

CITES listing None

Endemic No

Recommended citation: Monadjem A, Schoeman C, Child MF. 2016. A conservation assessment of Lemniscomys

rosalia. In Child MF, Roxburgh L, Do Linh San E, Raimondo D, Davies-Mostert HT, editors. The Red List of Mammals of

South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. South African National Biodiversity Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, South

Africa.

Angelique Lazarus

Assessment Rationale

Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution

within the assessment region (occupying an array of

grassland habitats), its occurrence in many protected

areas (including Kruger National Park), its potential range

expansion in North West Province, its tolerance of habitat

modification, and because there are no major threats that

could cause population decline. Research has shown that

its diet consists of the most abundant grass species

occurring in a particular habitat, not necessarily the most

nutritious, and thus food resources may not be a limiting

factor in its distribution. However, land managers should

employ ecological stocking levels to avoid overgrazing

and thus sustain tall grasses. Prudent fire management is

recommended too.

Regional population effects: As suitable habitats are

suspected to be largely connected along the northern

border of South Africa with Botswana, and through

Mozambique and Zimbabwe through the Great Limpopo

Transfrontier Conservation Area, as well as between

Mozambique and northern KwaZulu-Natal Province,

rescue effects may be possible.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed across the savannah

regions of Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe,

central and northern Botswana, Angola, Mozambique,

Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania and southern Kenya

(Monadjem et al. 2015). Within the assessment region, it

occurs in the Savannah Biome in landscapes with tall,

dense grass, including agricultural landscapes, distributed

across KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West

and Limpopo provinces.

Power (2014) presents evidence for a possible range

expansion in North West Province: aside from being

recorded throughout the mesic savannah regions, it was

captured on one particular site on Khamab Kalahari

Reserve in the Molopo Plains Sandy Bushveld vegetation

type, which expands the range by 250 km and represents

South Africa’s westernmost record (Figure 1). This may be

a genuine range expansion linking to Botswana’s Kalahari

population (Smithers 1971), due to the high intensity of

small mammal surveying in the Molopo region (Newbery

1996).

Population

The Single-striped Grass Mouse is relatively common to

very common across its range. For example, it was the

most frequently encountered species in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi

Park, KwaZulu-Natal Province, representing 75% of all

small mammal samples (Hagenah et al. 2009). In contrast,

it was one of the least abundant murids captured at

uMkuze Game Reserve, Kube Yini Game Reserve and

Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal (Delcros et

al. 2015; Rautenbach et al. 2014). It occurs in high

densities in suitable habitat. For example, in an ungrazed

This species feeds on the most abundant

grass species of a habitat, and thus is not reliant on

high-quality grasses, and it is found both in

experimentally herbivore-dominated and herbivore-

excluded plots (Hagenah et al. 2009).

Lemniscomys rosalia | 2 The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland

Figure 1. Distribution records for Single-striped Grass Mouse (Lemniscomys rosalia) within the assessment region

subtropical grassland near Matsapha, Swaziland,

densities ranged from 4.4 ± 0.8 to 8.2 ± 1.0 individuals /

ha from 1995 to 1998 (Monadjem & Perrin 2003). Although

its abundance fluctuates widely, it is more numerous in

dry winter months (Monadjem & Perrin 2003).

Current population trend: Stable, inferred from stable

savannah habitat.

Continuing decline in mature individuals: No

Number of mature individuals in population: Unknown

Number of mature individuals in largest subpopulation:

Unknown

Number of subpopulations: Unknown

Severely fragmented: No. Can utilise transformed and

agricultural landscapes.

Country Presence Origin

Botswana Extant Native

Lesotho Absent -

Mozambique Extant Native

Namibia Extant Native

South Africa Extant Native

Swaziland Extant Native

Zimbabwe Extant Native

Habitats and Ecology

This species tolerates a wide range of savannah habitats,

including savannah woodland, dry grassland at the

ecotone between vleis and woodland (for example, Fuller

& Perrin 2001), and scrub savannah of the Kalahari, but

the common factor to all habitats is tall grassland areas

(Kern 1981; Bowland & Perrin 1988; Monadjem 1997a;

Skinner & Chimimba 2005; van der Straeten et al. 2008;

Rautenbach et al. 2014). It was sampled in tall closed

grassland, low open rocky woodland, cultivated areas and

open woodland in the Maguga Dam area, Swaziland

(Avenant & Kuyler 2002). It is known to inhabit the tall

grasses surrounding agricultural lands, especially fallow

fields, and also occupies suburban gardens in KwaZulu-

Natal (Taylor 1998; Skinner & Chimimba 2005). It prefers

areas where there is a good cover of grass, herbs or reeds

and avoids areas where vegetation cover is short or

absent (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). It vacates recently

burnt areas, but returns as soon as the grass recovers

(Monadjem & Perrin 1997). It has not been recorded from

montane grasslands, forests and riverine woodlands

(Monadjem 1999; Delcros et al. 2015).

It is predominantly crepuscular but can be diurnal (Perrin

1981) and terrestrial; burrows are excavated where there

is overhead cover of matted grass and form runs from

burrow entrances to foraging areas (Skinner & Chimimba

2005). In a study in Kruger National Park, stomach content

analysis revealed a diet comprised of 50% seeds, 48%

herbaceous material and 2% insects (Watson 1987).

Similarly, in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, KwaZulu-Natal, grass

leaves and stems took up 65% of the diet while seeds

(25%) and arthropods (3%) comprised the bulk of the

Table 1. Countries of occurrence within southern Africa

The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Lemniscomys rosalia | 3

remaining food items (Hagenah et al. 2009). In Swaziland,

herbaceous material comprised 84.6 ± 9.2% of the diet,

and seeds comprised 15.4 ± 9.2% (Monadjem 1997b).

Hagenah et al. (2009) demonstrated that it prefers the

most abundant grass species occurring in its habitat and

not necessarily the highest quality species, and suggested

that the arthropod component of the diet may contribute

significantly to meet the nutritional requirements of the

species. In Hluhluwe, it mostly fed on two low-quality

bunch grass species, Sporobolus africanus (69%), and

Eragrostis curvula (21%), whereas, in iMfolozi, it

predominantly fed on the high-quality lawn grass species

Urochloa mosambicensis (77%) and Themeda triandra, a

lower-quality bunch grass species, comprised the

remainder of its diet (13%). Grass species composition is

therefore unlikely to be a limiting factor in the diet of this

species. Its most important habitat requirement is

probably dense ground cover of long grass as it breeds in

surface grass nests (Monadjem 1997a, 2013; Taylor

1998).

Ecosystem and cultural services: Preyed on by Black-

shouldered Kites (Elanus caeruleus) and Barn Owls (Tyto

alba) (Monadjem 2013).

Use and Trade

This species is not known to be traded or utilised in any

form.

Threats

There are no major threats to this species that could

cause widespread population decline. This species is

present even when large herbivores are dominant as it

feeds on the most abundant grass species (Hagenah et al.

2009). Thus, livestock and wildlife ranching are not

suspected to be a threat as long as tall grass structure is

sustained. Similarly, although crop plantations and

resultant pesticides were previously listed as a threat

(Friedmann & Daly 2004), Single-striped Grass Mice will

occur in agricultural landscapes if buffers of rank grass are

conserved around field edges. Minor threats include

overgrazing that reduces tall grass swards (Bowland &

Perrin 1989), and overly frequent fire regimes that have

the same effect (although it may return after grass has

recovered, Monadjem & Perrin 1997). Such management

practices will decrease habitat quality and may reduce the

area of occupancy.

Current habitat trend: Savannah ecosystems are not

threatened (Driver et al. 2012), and this species is tolerant

of modified landscapes and agricultural areas.

Conservation

This species is present in many protected areas within the

assessment region, including Kruger National Park,

uMkuze Game Reserve and Phinda Private Game

Reserve. No interventions are necessary at present. The

expansion of wildlife ranching may similarly be creating

additional habitat for this species, as long as the lands are

not overgrazed. No specific conservation interventions are

necessary at present.

Recommendations for land managers and

practitioners:

Landowners and communities should be

incentivised to stock livestock or wildlife at

ecological carrying capacity as this species needs a

tall grass structure for breeding.

Similarly, managers are encouraged to maintain an

appropriate fire regime for the relevant habitat.

Research priorities:

This species may comprise at least two species

based on chromosomal data (Castiglia et al. 2002).

Resolving the taxonomy within the broader southern

African region may alter this conservation

assessment in the future.

Encouraged citizen actions:

Report sightings on virtual museum platforms (for

example, iSpot and MammalMAP), especially

Rank Threat description Evidence in the

scientific literature Data quality

Scale of

study Current trend

1 2.3.2 Livestock Farming &

Ranching: reduction of

grassland height.

Bowland & Perrin 1989 Empirical Local Possibly increasing with human

settlement expansion and intensification

of wildlife farming.

2 7.1.1 Increase in Fire

Frequency/Intensity: reduction

of grassland height.

Kern 1981

Bowland & Perrin 1988

Empirical

Empirical

Local

Local

L. rosalia was not recorded in burn plots.

L. rosalia survival higher in non-burn

plots.

Table 2. Threats to the Single-striped Grass Mouse (Lemniscomys rosalia) ranked in order of severity with corresponding

evidence (based on IUCN threat categories, with regional context)

Rank Intervention description

Evidence in the

scientific

literature

Data

quality

Scale of

evidence Demonstrated impact

Current

conservation

projects

1 2.2 Problematic Species Control:

Maintain stocking rates of livestock

and wildlife at ecological carrying

capacity.

Bowland & Perrin

1989

Empirical Local Small mammal diversity and

abundance significantly

higher after decrease in

grazing pressure.

-

Table 3. Conservation interventions for the Grass Mouse (Lemniscomys rosalia) ranked in order of effectiveness with

corresponding evidence (based on IUCN action categories, with regional context)

Lemniscomys rosalia | 4 The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland

outside of protected areas on private or agricultural

lands.

Landowners and city planners can conserve

corridors of tall grassland on their properties and/or

in public spaces.

References

Avenant NL, Kuyler P. 2002. Small mammal diversity in the

Maguga Dam inundation area, Swaziland. South African Journal

of Wildlife Research 32:101–108.

Bowland AE, Perrin MR. 1988. The effect of fire on the small

mammal community in Hluhluwe Game Reserve. Mammalian

Biology 53:235–244.

Bowland AE, Perrin MR. 1989. The effect of overgrazing on the

small mammals in Umfolozi Game Reserve. Mammalian Biology

54:251–260.

Castiglia R, Fadda C, Corti M, Scanzani A, Verheyen W, Capanna

E. 2002. Chromosomal evolution in the African Arvicanthine rats

(Murinae, Rodentia): comparative cytogenetics of Lemniscomys

(L. zebra, L. rosalia, L. striatus) and Arvicanthis dembeensis.

Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research

40:223–231.

Delcros G, Taylor PJ, Schoeman MC. 2015. Ecological correlates

of small mammal assemblage structure at different spatial scales

in the savannah biome of South Africa. Mammalia 79:1–14.

Driver A, Sink KJ, Nel JN, Holness S, Van Niekerk L, Daniels F,

Jonas Z, Majiedt PA, Harris L, Maze K. 2012. National Biodiversity

Assessment 2011: An assessment of South Africa’s biodiversity

and ecosystems. Synthesis Report. South African National

Biodiversity Institute and Department of Environmental Affairs,

Pretoria, South Africa.

Friedmann Y, Daly B, editors. 2004. Red Data Book of the

Mammals of South Africa: A Conservation Assessment. IUCN

SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group and Endangered

Wildlife Trust, South Africa.

Fuller JA, Perrin MR. 2001. Habitat assessment of small mammals

in the Umvoti Vlei Conservancy, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

South African Journal of Wildlife Research 31:1–12.

Hagenah N, Prins HH, Olff H. 2009. Effects of large herbivores on

murid rodents in a South African savanna. Journal of Tropical

Ecology 25:483–492.

Kern NG. 1981. The influence of fire on populations of small

mammals of the Kruger National Park. Koedoe 24:125–157.

Meester JA, Rautenbach IL, Dippenaar NJ, Baker CM. 1986.

Classification of southern African mammals. Transvaal Museum

Monographs 5:1–359.

Monadjem A. 1997a. Habitat preferences and biomasses of small

mammals in Swaziland. African Journal of Ecology 35:64–72.

Monadjem A. 1997b. Stomach contents of 19 species of small

mammals from Swaziland. South African Journal of Zoology

32:23–26.

Monadjem A. 1999. Geographic distribution patterns of small

mammals in Swaziland in relation to abiotic factors and human

land-use activity. Biodiversity & Conservation 8:223–237.

Monadjem A. 2013. Lemniscomys rosalia. Pages 449–451 in D.

Happold, editor. Mammals of Africa Vol. 3. Bloomsbury

Publishing, London, UK.

Monadjem A, Perrin M. 2003. Population fluctuations and

community structure of small mammals in a Swaziland grassland

over a three-year period. African Zoology 38:127–137.

Monadjem A, Perrin MR. 1997. Population dynamics of

Lemniscomys rosalia (Muridae: Rodentia) in a Swaziland

grassland: effects of food and fire. South African Journal of

Zoology 32:129–135.

Monadjem A, Taylor PJ, Denys C, Cotterill FPD. 2015. Rodents of

Sub-Saharan Africa: A Biogeographic and Taxonomic Synthesis.

De Gruyter, Berlin, Germany.

Newbery CH. 1996. Inventory - report: Small Mammals: Molopo

Nature Reserve. Ecological Support Services, North West Parks

Board, Mafikeng.

Perrin MR. 1981. Notes on the activity patterns of 12 species of

southern African rodents and a new design of activity monitor.

South African Journal of Zoology 16:248–258.

Power RJ. 2014. The Distribution and Status of Mammals in the

North West Province. Department of Economic Development,

Environment, Conservation & Tourism, North West Provincial

Government, Mahikeng.

Rautenbach A, Dickerson T, Schoeman MC. 2014. Diversity of

rodent and shrew assemblages in different vegetation types of

the savannah biome in South Africa: no evidence for nested

subsets or competition. African Journal of Ecology 52:30–40.

Skinner JD, Chimimba CT. 2005. The Mammals of the Southern

African Subregion. Third edition. Cambridge University Press,

Cambridge, UK.

Smithers RH. 1971. The mammals of Botswana. Museum Memoir

No. 4. The Trustees of the National Museums of Rhodesia,

Salisbury, Rhodesia.

Taylor PJ. 1998. The Smaller Mammals of KwaZulu-Natal.

University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Data sources Field study (literature, unpublished)

Data quality (max) Inferred

Data quality (min) Inferred

Uncertainty resolution Expert consensus

Risk tolerance Evidentiary

Table 4. Information and interpretation qualifiers for the

Single-striped Grass Mouse (Lemniscomys rosalia)

assessment

Data Sources and Quality

Assessors and Reviewers

Ara Monadjem1, Corrie Schoeman

2, Matthew F. Child

3

1University of Swaziland,

2University of KwaZulu-Natal,

3Endangered Wildlife Trust

Contributors

Lientjie Cohen1, John Power

2, Nico L. Avenant

3,

Margaret Avery4, Rod Baxter

5, Duncan MacFadyen

6,

Guy Palmer7, Peter Taylor

5, Beryl Wilson

8

1Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency,

2North West Provincial

Government, 3National Museum, Bloemfontein,

4Iziko South

African Museums, 5University of Venda,

6E Oppenheimer & Son,

7Western Cape Nature Conservation Board,

8McGregor Museum

Details of the methods used to make this assessment can

be found in Mammal Red List 2016: Introduction and

Methodology.

The Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland Lemniscomys rosalia | 5

van der Straeten E, Monadjem A, Corti M. 2008. Lemniscomys

rosalia. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008:

e.T11493A3285732.

Watson CRB. 1987. The comparative ecology of two small

mammal communities in the Kruger National Park. M.Sc. Thesis.

University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.