An annotated checklist of terrestrial small mammals of Nyungwe National Park in Rwanda based on recent reassessments (2009–2023)

Terrestrial small mammals, including rodents, shrews and a few allied species, are a diverse group among mammals. Nyungwe National Park, located in Rwanda, is a biologically rich tropical rainforest in the Albertine Rift. This article generates an annotated species checklist of terrestrial small mammals of Nyungwe National Park, considering the results of field reassessments from 2009 to 2023 and existing checklists. Voucher specimens and Cytb sequencing results were examined to confirm the identification of many cryptic species. The results indicated 58 species of terrestrial small mammals of Nyungwe natural habitat, including 40 rodents (Rodentia), 16 shrews (Eulipotyphla), one mole, and one otter-shrew (Afrosoricida). Six species were recorded outside the natural forest, such as the buffer zone or agricultural lands. An annotation on each species indicates details of its occurrence, updated taxonomic information, and key ecological characteristics based on our surveys and the literature. Around 20 species were added to the existing checklists of Nyungwe terrestrial small mammals owing to field survey efforts and advanced taxonomic approaches. The current checklist promotes small mammal studies in Nyungwe and will be a valuable reference for future studies. Furthermore, the park managers will use this checklist in tourism and biodiversity monitoring plans.