4 EINAR LÖNNBERG, MAMMALS COLLECTED IN CENTRAL AFRICA 



same degree as some others. If they are represented by endemic subspecies they indicate, 

 however, that the fauna has in consequence of certain natural conditions developed 

 independently from that of neighbouring districts. The Central African Lake district 

 has proved with regard to its bird life to form to some extent a zoogeographical pro- 

 vince, although it has much in common with other parts of Africa. Although the pre- 

 sent collection is not so complete that it can be regarded as fully representative — the 

 small mammals are to great extent lacking — it gives, however, much good information 

 about the composed nature of the mammalian fauna of these parts of Africa and also 

 about the presence of many endemic forms, which partly have been described before, 

 partly now are introduced into the scientific literature. These facts indicate that the 

 district in question also with regard to its mammals, as well as with regard to its birds, 

 forms a zoogeographical province. 



The mammals of the present collection which show more aff inities with the fauna of 

 the great East-South-African subregion have mostly been collected at Rutshuru which, 

 of course, depends upon the f act that the natural conditions there exhibit some likeness 

 to those of East Africa with partly open plains and less thick forests. The Tumbili- 

 monkey (Cercopithecus pygerythfus centralis) and the Baboon (Papio tessellatus) are good 

 examples of such East African types, although as subspecies both appear to be endemic 

 in the Lake district. 



Characteristic animals for a more or less open country are also Lion, Serval, Cat 

 (Felis ocreata), Jackal (C anis adustus), Warthog, Cape Buffalo (B. caffer radcliffei), 

 Korrigum (D. korrigum. ugandm), Bushduiker (Sylvicapra grimmia lutea) etc. which 

 also partly have developed endemic races in this district. 



A direct affinity with the South African fauna is presented by Pöecilogale albi- 

 nucha doggetti, but even in this case an endemic subspecies is met with. 



The forest animals are mostly of western type, although some genera like Colobus 

 and Cercocebus extend right across the tropical parts of the continent from west to east. 



Many of these western animals are at, or near their eastern frontier in this district 

 as for instance the Gorilla, the Chimpanzee, several forest Duikers etc. 



A Perodictius has also been found some years ago on Mt. Elgon, but otherwise the 

 new species of this genus described below appears to be the most eastern representative 

 of this genus. 



The find of an Idiurus in the Kivu district is also very remarkable as this genus for- 

 merly was known from Cameroon. This eastern Idiurus is not, however, quite identical 

 with the formerly described species. In this respect analogies are also found among 

 other forest animals f . i. among the Duikers which often to some degree differ from their 

 westernmost relatives. It is also interesting to find that sometimes it is difficult or im- 

 possible to see any difference between mammals from the forests at Beni and Rutshuru 

 and even at Masisi, but in other cases there has been developed separate races at one or 

 both of the latter localities. 



