Slender sand rat

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Slender sand rat
Systematics
Family : Long-tailed mice (Muridae)
Subfamily : Gerbils (Gerbillinae)
Tribe : Gerbillini
Sub tribus : Rhombomyina
Genre : Sand rats ( psammomys )
Type : Slender sand rat
Scientific name
Psammomys vexillaris
Thomas , 1925

The slender sand rat ( Psammomys vexillaris ) is a rodent in the subfamily of gerbils found in North Africa .

features

With a head-to-trunk length of 115 to 130 mm and a tail length of 80 to 120 mm, the species is slightly smaller than the fat sand rat ( Psammomys obesus ). It has hind feet 30 to 35 mm long and ears 10 to 12 mm long. Weight information is missing. There is light orange-brown fur on the top, while cream-colored to white fur covers the underside. There is a dark tassel at the tip of the hairy tail. In places the underside of the feet is covered with hair. There are dark claws.

The species has a diploid chromosome set with 46 chromosomes (2n = 46, FN = 78).

distribution

The distribution area of ​​the slender sand rat extends from north-east Algeria via Tunisia to north-west Libya . It lives in areas with sparse vegetation, which often consists of foxtail plants (Amaranthaceae). The subsoil is mostly sandy. Several finds come from roadsides.

Way of life

This rodent is nocturnal. It feeds mainly on foxtail plants. The specimens rest during the day in an underground construction. Presumably the reproductive behavior corresponds to the fat sand rat.

threat

Climate changes presumably have a negative impact on the food supply. No other threats are known. Since the species is often confused with the fat sand rat, the population size is unknown. The IUCN lists the slim sand rat with insufficient data (data deficient) .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Psammomys vexillaris ).
  2. ↑ a b c d Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher Jr., Russell A. Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 7 - Rodents II . Lynx Edicions, 2017, ISBN 978-84-16728-04-6 , pp. 646 (English).
  3. ↑ Jonathan Kingdon (Ed.): Mammals of Africa . III, Rodents, Hares and Rabbits. A&C Black, 2014, p. 346 ( Pale Sand Council ).
  4. ↑ a b Psammomys vexillaris in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2017. Posted by: Granjon, L., 2016. Accessed August 14, 2020th