Allactaga euphratica Thomas, 1881

Amr, Zuhair S., Abu, Mohammad A., Qumsiyeh, Mazin & Eid, Ehab, 2018, Systematics, distribution and ecological analysis of rodents in Jordan, Zootaxa 4397 (1), pp. 1-94 : 13-15

Allactaga euphratica Thomas, 1881

Common name: Five-toad jerboa.

Diagnosis: This is a medium sized jerboa. Its dorsal side is gray-brown and ventral side is white ( Figure 11 ). The ears are distinctively long and narrow, more than one half of hind foot length. It has five digits on hind feet and naked soles, three functional and two vestigial digits. Four pairs of mammae. Tail composed of three distinct bands; white anteriorly, brown medially and terminates with a white tip. Zygomatic arches widely flared posteriorly. Tympanic bullae small. Four upper cheekteeth, with a small first upper premolar. Angular process not perforated ( Figure 12 ).

Localities: Previous records. ‘Ammān (Bodenheimer, 1958); 50 km W Al Jafr, Qaşr ‘Amra, 30 km east of Al Mafraq, 45 km N Ma'an (Atallah, 1978); Jāwá (Searight, 1987); Jāwá, Ash Shawmarī ( Amr & Disi, 1988); Shawmarī Wildlife Reserve (Hatough-Bouran, 1990); Umm Al Qiţţayn (Sözen et al., 2008). Materials extracted from owl pellets: Ex. Athene noctua, Qaşr al Ḩallābāt (Obuch, per. com.); Ex. Athene noctua, Qaşr Al Kharanah ; Ex. Bubo bubo , Burqu'. New records: Ernbeh ( Figure 13 ).

Habitat: The five-toad jerboa is restricted to the steppe and gravel arid and semi-arid habitats of Jordan. It is mostly associated with wadis in dry parts of the country and avoids sand habitats. It was observed in densely vegetated wadis near Wādī Rajil. It keeps the burrow entrance plugged during daytime. Burrows may reach up to 50 cm. deep and about one meter long (Lewis et al., 1965).

Biology: The five-toad jerboa becomes active after sunset and looks for food close to its burrow site. Females may give birth up to nine young. Kadhim & Wahid (1986) examined the reproduction of the male A. euphratica and stated that the period of February to May includes higher level of breeding activity of males with a second activity during October. More details on the biology of this species are given by Ҫolak & Yiğit (1998).

Remarks: Jordan represents its most western range of distribution. Most of its distribution is in the eastern desert with fewer localities in the south. The karyotype of two animals from Umm Al Qiţţayn was found to be 2n: 48, NF: 96, NFa: 92. The autosomal set consists of 23 biarmed pairs (Sözen et al., 2008).

Figures

FIGURE 11. The five-toad jerboa, Allactaga euphratica (photo by Adwan Shehab).

FIGURE 12. A. Dorsal,B. Ventral views of the skull, and C. Upper maxillary teeth for Allactagaeuphratica.

FIGURE 13. Distribution of the five-toad jerboa,Allactaga euphratica.