Meriones sacramenti, Thomas, 1922

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 536-884 : 645

145.

Buxton’s Jird

Meriones sacramenti

French: Mérione de Buxton / German: Palastina-Rennratte / Spanish: Gerbillo de Buxton

Other common names: Negev Jird

Taxonomy. Meriones sacramenti Thomas, 1922 ,

“Southern Palestine [= Israel]. 10 miles [= 16 km] south of Beersheba .”

Morphologically M. sacramenti is very close to North African M. shawand M. Libycus , but no molecular data are available for this species. Monotypic.

Distribution. NE Egypt (coastal region of Sinai), S Israel (Negev Desert), and Palestine. Descriptive notes. Head-body 130-170 mm, tail 120-180 mm, ear 17-22 mm, hindfoot 30-41 mm; weight 125-275 g. A medium-sized jird, Buxton’s Jird has tail of about same length as head-body length and partially hairy soles of hindfeet. Bicolored tail ends with well-developed pencil of black hairs. Dorsal pelage is reddish sandy, diffusely speckled with black hairs, and ventral is white. Enlarged tympanic bullae project over back of skull and represent c.35-37% ofskull length. Karyotype 2n = 46.

Habitat. Buxton’s Jird inhabits sand dunes in coastal plains, and semi-desertic zones in Negev, with low and sparse vegetation.

Food and Feeding. Diet consists of green vegetation, roots, bulbs, seeds, cereals,fruits, and insects. Buxton’s Jird is thought to be more folivorous than other Meriones species.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Buxton’sJird is nocturnal and terrestrial, digging burrowsin soft soil. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Buxton’s Jirds live in small family groups.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List owing to its low density and to threats emanating from urbanization, extensive agricultural development, and political instability.

Bibliography. Aulagnier et al. (2009), Harrison & Bates (1991), Hutterer et al. (2008).

Figures

138. Sundevall’s Jird (Meriones crassus), 139. Moroccan Jird (Meriones grandis), 140. Libyan Jird (Meriones libycus), 141. Shaw's Jird (Meriones shaw), 142. Tristram’s Jird (Meriones tristrami), 143. Dahl's Jird (Meriones dahl), 144. Vinogradov’s Jird (Meriones vinogradoui), 145. Buxton’s Jird (Meriones sacramenti), 146. King Jird (Meriones rex), 147. Arabian Jird (Meriones arimalius), 148. Persian Jird (Meriones persicus), 149. Zarudny’s Jird (Meriones zarudnyi), 150. Indian Desert Jird (Meriones hurrianae), 151. Cheng’s Jird (Meriones chengi), 152. Midday Jird (Meriones meridianus), 153. Tamarisk Jird (Meriones tamariscinus), 154. Mongolian Jird (Meriones unguiculatus), 155. Przewalski’s Jird (Brachiones przewalskii), 156. Fat Sand Rat (Psammomys obesus), 157. Lesser Sand Rat (Psammomys vexillaris), 158. Great Gerbil (Rhombomys oprmus), 159. Buttner’s African Forest Mouse (Leimacomys buettneri), 160. Maned Rat (Lophiomys imhausi)

Distribution. NE Egypt (coastal region of Sinai), S Israel (Negev Desert), and Palestine. Descriptive notes. Head-body 130-170 mm, tail 120-180 mm, ear 17-22 mm, hindfoot 30-41 mm; weight 125-275 g. A medium-sized jird, Buxton’s Jird has tail of about same length as head-body length and partially hairy soles of hindfeet. Bicolored tail ends with well-developed pencil of black hairs. Dorsal pelage is reddish sandy, diffusely speckled with black hairs, and ventral is white. Enlarged tympanic bullae project over back of skull and represent c.35-37% ofskull length. Karyotype 2n = 46.