Tuza
| Tuza | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Zygogeomys | ||||||||||||
| Merriam , 1895 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Zygogeomys trichopus | ||||||||||||
| Merriam , 1895 |
Tuza or Michoácan pocket rat ( Zygogeomys trichopus ) is a rodent in the pocket rat family and the only species in the genus Zygogeomys .
features
With a head-torso length of 20 to 25 cm and a tail length of 9 to 12 cm, the species is one of the larger pocket rats. The fur on the upper side is dark gray to brown, with a slight rust-colored shade. On the underside, the fur has a lead-colored to red-brown color. It is characterized by a white spot on the throat, a bare area on the muzzle and light gray or white hair on the upper side of the hind feet. This pocket rat has a bare tail and two grooves in its upper front teeth .
distribution
The species occurs with several separate populations in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains in the Mexican state of Michoacán . It lives in regions that are 2200 meters above sea level or higher. Mixed forests in which spruce , pine and alder dominate serve as habitat .
Way of life
The Michoácan pocket rat digs underground tunnel systems whose central chamber is 2 meters or more below the surface. It closes the original entrance with a high mound of earth, the shape of which is reminiscent of a volcano . After that, the top of the mound is no longer used as an exit and the "volcano" remains permanently closed. One female found was pregnant with one embryo .
status
Deforestation in connection with the creation of new agricultural areas led to a reduction in the distribution area. A greater threat is the competition with pocket rats of the genus Cratogeomys , which in turn have been driven from deeper areas of the mountains. The IUCN lists the Michoacan-Taschenratte because of the low distribution area, which is additionally fragmented, as endangered (Endangered) .
Individual evidence
- ^ Wilson & Reeder (eds.): Mammal Species of the World . 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 ( Zygogeomys - English: Michoacan Pocket Gopher .).
- ↑ a b Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. Volume 2. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, pp. 1315-1316, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
- ↑ a b Zygogeomys Trichopus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2008. Posted by: Álvarez Castañeda, ST, Castro-Arellano, I., Lacher, T., Vázquez, E. & Arroyo-Cabrales, J., of 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2016.