Myospalax

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Myospalax
Transbaikal mullet (Myospalax psilurus), stuffed museum specimen

Transbaikal mullet ( Myospalax psilurus ), stuffed museum specimen

Systematics
Superfamily : Mice-like (Muroidea)
Family : Spalacidae
Subfamily : Blind mole rat (Myospalacinae)
Tribe : Myospalacini
Genre : Myospalax
Scientific name
Myospalax
Laxmann , 1769

Myospalax is a genus of comparatively large rodents within the blind mole rat (Myospalacinae). It consists of three types that are found in large parts of East Asia.

features

The species of the genus Myospalax are relatively large compared to other rodents and reach body lengths of over 27 centimeters with a maximum weight of more than 500 grams. The tail is very short with a length of a few centimeters . The back fur is dark rust-brown to gray-brown. The ventral side is usually a little lighter in color.

The skull has a total length of 40 to 50 millimeters and is flat and broad. The shape of the back of the head differs from that of the genus Eospalax with its narrow, flat and short surface of the back of the head

distribution

The species of the genus Myospalax occur in large parts of East and Northeast Asia. Their distribution areas range from eastern Kazakhstan and southern Siberia to Mongolia and the People's Republic of China .

Way of life

Myospalax species live in steppe meadows, mountain meadows, forest areas and bushes as well as in agricultural areas and ruderal areas . The animals feed on herbivores mainly of grasses, roots, tubers and underground parts of the plant stem. They live underground in the ground and build large and complex structures with storage rooms.

The reproductive phase begins in early spring and the females give birth to one to three litters with two to seven young each year.

Systematics

Myospalax is classified as an independent genus within the blind mole rat (Myospalacinae). It was first described by the naturalist Erich G. Laxmann, who lives in Russia, in 1769. It consists of three types:

Partial all the species were Eospalax in the genus Myopalax arranged, however, considered, or generally as a closely related species associated with a common sub-genus.

Status, threat and protection

All species of the genus Myospalax are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as not endangered (least concern). This is justified by the large distribution area and the frequent occurrence of the individual species. There are no potential risks to the survival of any of the species.

supporting documents

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g Andrew T. Smith: Genus Myospalax In: Andrew T. Smith , Yan Xie: A Guide to the Mammals of China. Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ 2008, ISBN 978-0-691-09984-2 , pp. 211 ff.
  2. ↑ a b c Myospalax aspalax in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017.3. Listed by: F. Cassola, 2008. Retrieved December 29, 2017., Myospalax myospalax in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017.3. Listed by: F. Cassola, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2017., Myospalax psilurus on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017.3. Posted by: F. Cassola, 2008. Retrieved December 21, 2017.

  3. ↑ a b Myospalax . In: Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .

literature

Web links

Commons : Myospalax  - collection of images, videos and audio files
  • Myospalax . In: Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .