This rodent occurs in the mountains of East Africa. Dark coloration is reported, and molar ridges and genetic evidence help distinguish it from close relatives. Recent taxonomic work affects some older range records.
Individuals assigned to this species in the Eastern Arc are described as blackish. Molar ridge counts also help distinguish close relatives, although this trait alone is not always diagnostic.
Records are concentrated at high elevations. In Tanzania's Usambara Mountains, a specimen was collected in Magamba Forest at 1,585 m.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.