Confirmation of the occurrence of Mus neavei in South Africa

Abstract

Neave’s mouse, Mus neavei (Thomas, 1910), occurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa (Petter 1981; Musser & Carleton 1993), with the latter record based on material from owl pellets taken at Makapansgat (Pocock 1974). Pocock’s record was disputed by Swanepoel et al. (1980), and in the absence of complete voucher specimens, the occurrence of this species in South Africa was regarded as doubtful. However, it was supported by Meester et al. (1986) and accepted by Musser & Carleton (1993).