Long-haired Gundi

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Long-haired Gundi
Systematics
Order : Rodents (Rodentia)
Subordination : Porcupine relatives (Hystricomorpha)
Partial order : Ctenodactylomorphi
Family : Comb fingers (Ctenodactylidae)
Genre : Massoutiera
Type : Long-haired Gundi
Scientific name of the  genus
Massoutiera
Lataste , 1885
Scientific name of the  species
Massoutiera mzabi
(Lataste, 1881)
Distribution area of ​​the long-haired gundi (red)

The long-haired gundi ( Massoutiera mzabi ), also known as the Mzab comb finger , is a North African rodent species that has a disjoint distribution area in the Sahara . It occurs in the center ( M'zab ) and in the south-east of Algeria ( Ahaggar ), in the north-east of Mali ( Adrar des Ifoghas ), in Niger ( Aïr ), in the north-west of Chad ( Tibesti ) and possibly also in the south-west of Libya . The species is not endangered.

features

The animals reach a head-trunk length of 12.5 to 21 cm, have a 3.3 to 8.5 cm long tail and weigh up to 230 g. Like all Gundis, the long-haired Gundi has a compact body with thick fur, short ears, long, black whiskers , large, high eyes, short legs, four-toed feet and a bristle comb on the two inner toes of the hind feet. The color of the fur is variable and usually cream-colored to red-brown on the back and lighter on the belly. In habitats that are dominated by basalt , the long-haired gundi is chocolate brown in most cases. The long-haired Gundi differs from other Gundi species mainly in the greatly expanded tympanic bladder . The bushy tail is longer than that of the actual comb finger ( Ctenodactylus gundi ) and that of the Val-Gundi ( C. vali ), but shorter than that of the Speke comb finger ( Pectinator spekei ). It is also used for balancing. Of all the comb fingers, the long-haired gundi has the longest intestine. The molars are euhypsodont and coated with cementum . The upper incisors are finely grooved.

Way of life

The long-haired Gundi occurs in the Sahara mountains and on the edge of the Hammada , the population density is very low with 0.3 to 3.2 individuals per hectare . The long-haired Gundi is the only type of comb finger that is not only active during the day, but only during the hot season. At temperatures above 20 ° C he avoids staying in direct sunshine. The animals are quieter than other comb finger species but give alarm calls when a predator is spotted. They are herbivores, eat less selectively than the common comb finger and feed mainly on cruciferous plants , including Moricandia arvensis . In addition, leaves of Reseda species and feather grass ( Stipa ) are often eaten. In summer from April to September the animals only eat before sunrise or after sunset, in winter from November to March all day long.

Reproduction

Long-haired Gundis become sexually mature at 7 to 9 months. In good years the females can give birth twice. In the central Algerian M'zab, the first birth usually takes place from January to March, the second from April to May. A maximum of three young are born per litter. The gestation period is 60 to 65 days. If the food is scarce or in other unfavorable circumstances, reproduction does not occur. The females can seal their vaginas with a membrane when they are sexually inactive. Females are true to location and territorial. Their territory covers about 1000 to 2000 m². The animals mate from September to December. The males stay with the females until the first birth, if there is enough food available, also until the second. During this time the couple defended the territory together. Males hardly ever interact with the young, but look at them from a distance. When changing hiding places, the females bring the young with their mouths into the new one. Male cubs stay with their mothers until summer, females stay longer and then, if possible, take over a territory near the maternal territory.

literature

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