Allocricetulus curtatus (G. M. Allen, 1925)

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Cricetidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 204-535 : 286

16.

Mongolian Hamster

Allocricetulus curtatus

French: Hamster de Mongolie / German: Mongolischer Zwerghamster / Spanish: Hamster de Mongolia

Taxonomy. Cricetulus migratorius curtatus G. M. Allen, 1925 , “Iren Dabasu [= Erenhot], Mongolia, [ China].”

In the past, A. curtatus was synonymized with A. eversmanni , but they are clearly distinct in chromosome number and morphology. Monotypic.

Distribution. Russia (S Tuva), NW & S Mongolia, and N China (NE Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia [= Nei Mongol], Gansu, and Ningxia).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 100-130 mm, tail 16-26 mm, ear 15-19 mm, hindfoot 14-19 mm; weight 30-65 g. The Mongolian Hamsteris slightly smaller and paler in color than Eversmann’s Hamster (A. eversmanni ). Head and upperparts are pale buff; throat and underparts are white, without pale spot on breast. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 20 and FN = 38.

Habitat. Gravel plains and stabilized sands in semi-deserts.

Food and Feeding. The Mongolian Hamster mainly eats seeds and insects and sometimes preys on lizards.

Breeding. Breeding of the Mongolian Hamster occurs in May-July. Females produce 2-3 litters/year. Litters have 4-14 young (average 7-3).

Activity patterns. The Mongolian Hamster is mainly nocturnal. Irregular torpor bouts were observed during winter, but true hibernation was absent.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Bannikov (1954), Feoktistova, Naidenko et al. (2013), Romanenko et al. (2013), Sokolov & Orlov (1980), Zhang Yongzu et al. (1997).

Figures

1. Roborovski’s Desert Hamster (Phodopus roborouskii), 2. Campbell's Desert Hamster (Phodopus campbelli), 3. Striped Desert Hamster (Phodopus sungorus), 4. Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), 5. Ciscaucasian Hamster (Mesocricetus radder), 6. Brandt's Hamster (Mesocricetus brandii), 7. Romanian Hamster (Mesocricetus newtoni), 8. Gray Dwarf Hamster (Cricetulus migratorius), 9. Long-tailed Dwarf Hamster (Cricetulus longicaudatus), 10. Striped Dwarf Hamster (Cricetulus barabensis), 11. Sokolov’s Dwarf Hamster (Cricetulus sokolouvi), 12. Ladakh Dwarf Hamster (Cricetulus alticola), 13. Tibetan Dwarf Hamster (Cricetulus kamensis), 14. Gansu Hamster (Cansumys canus), 15. Greater Long-tailed Hamster (Tscherskia triton), 16. Mongolian Hamster (Allocricetulus curtatus), 17. Eversmann’s Hamster (Allocricetulus eversmanni), 18. Common Hamster (Cricetus cricetus), 19. Long-clawed Mole Vole (Prometheomys schaposchnikowi), 20. Round-tailed Muskrat (Neofiber alleni), 21. Common Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), 22. Western Heather Vole (Phenacomys intermedius), 23. Eastern Heather Vole (Phenacomys ungava), 24. White-footed Vole (Arborimus albipes), 25. Red Tree Vole (Arborvmus longicaudus), 26. Sonoma Tree Vole (Arborimus pomo), 27. Northern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys borealis), 28. Southern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys cooperi), 29. Wood Lemming (Myopus schisticolor), 30. Amur Brown Lemming (Lemmus amurensis), 31. Norway Brown Lemming (Lemmus lemmus), 32. Siberian Brown Lemming (Lemmus sibiricus), 33. Nearctic Brown Lemming (Lemmus trimucronatus)

Distribution. Russia (S Tuva), NW & S Mongolia, and N China (NE Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia [= Nei Mongol], Gansu, and Ningxia).