Pectinator spekei, Blyth, 1856

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Ctenodactylidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 288-299 : 296

1.

Speke’s Gundi

Pectinator spekei

French: Goundi de Speke / German: Buschschwanz-Gundi / Spanish: Gundi de Speke

Other common names: Bushy-tailed Gundi, Speke's Pectinator

Taxonomy. Pectinator spekei Blyth, 1856 ,

“Somali country” (= Laasqoray area, about 1040 km north-north-east of Mogadishu, Somalia.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Horn of Africa (Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia), geographically isolated from the other gundis.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 155-190 mm, tail 60-80 mm; weights up to 194 g. External characteristics of Speke’s Gundi are similar to those of other living members of the family. Dorsal pelage is sandy colored, intermixed with black or brown, and it becomes grayish white ventrally. Speke’s Gundi and the Felou Gundi ( Felovia vae ) have long tails used in social displays and moderately inflated auditory bullae. Speke’s Gundi has the largest pinnae of all ctenodactylids, and in contrast with other gundis, they are only partially flattened on the head. Mandible has a short angular process. Speke’s Gundi is the only living species of ctenodactylid that conserves numerous archaic dental characters present in the first ctenodactylines; e.g. it has retained the primitive dental formula of its ancestors, which includes deciduous premolars (aP*t/dP). Deciduous third premolar is generally present in maxilla but lost in mandible. Some specimens of Speke’s Gundi for which dP, have been identified are now suspected to be anterior fragments of dP,. The fourth upper and lower deciduous premolars (dP4) are replaced by fourth permanent premolars. Remaining modern species of gundis have lost the dP3 and seem to bear only deciduous premolars that are lost without being replaced in adulthood. Therefore, they show a more simplified dental formula. Cheekteeth are euhypsodont (rootless and ever-growing) in all-living ctenodactylids, except for Speke’s Gundi that has high-crowned (hypsodont) but still rooted molars.

Habitat. Semi-desert rocky areas, occupying fissures in limestone cliffs. Speke’s Gundi is the only living ctenodactylid that inhabits the Horn of Africa.

Food and Feeding. Speke’s Gundiis herbivorous and eats dry grass, seeds, and leaves of Cadaba rotundifolia ( Capparaceae ). When possible, it prefers leaves of acacia, particularly Acacia senegal ( Fabaceae ), which has short spines (6 mm), to those of A. seyal. When A. senegal is not available, Speke’s Gundis cope with the 65mm sharp spines of A. seyal.

Breeding. Timing of reproduction of Speke’s Gundis occurs relative to habitat and geographical location. Unpublished recent field observations by P. Gouat in Djibouti suggest that Speke’s Gundis start to reproduce in August. They produce two litters/ year that are mostly singletons. Juveniles from the two litters are seen in late October to early November. As is the case with all species of gundis, newborn Speke’s Gundis are precocial and grow relatively fast; they attain adult size in ¢.6 months.

Activity patterns. Similarly to the other gundis, Speke’s Gundis mainly sunbathe, forage, rest in the shade, and groom. Peak activity occurs 0-3 hours after dawn when temperatures are 23-29°C. As temperatures rise, Speke’s Gundis find refuge in shelters; they reappear outside in late afternoon.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Speke’s Gundis are social and live in comparatively dense colonies up to 237 ind/ha. These colonies contain close and extended family groups. Home ranges are 1500-2000 m?,

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Currently, Speke’s Gundis do not face any significant conservation threats.

Bibliography. Coetzee & Grubb (2008), Dieterlen (2005b), George (1974, 1978, 1981a, 2001), Gouat (2013, 2015), Lépez-Antonanzas & Knoll (2011).

Figures

1. Speke’s Gundi (Pectinator spekei), 2. Mzab Gundi (Massoutiera mzabi), 3. Felou Gundi (Felovia vae), 4. Common Gundi (Clenodactylus gundi), 5. Desert Gundi (Ctenodactylus vali)

Distribution. Horn of Africa (Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia), geographically isolated from the other gundis.