Meriones (Pallasiomys) crassus Sundevall, 1842

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 : 48-49

Meriones (Pallasiomys) crassus Sundevall, 1842

Common name: Sundevall's jird, Sand jird, Silk jird, Gentle jird.

Diagnosis: Large jird with soft, dense fur. Fur color pale sandy dorsally, underside pure white, line of demarcation not very distinct. Ears small and not pigmented, claws white or pale ( Figure 53 ). Hind feet covered with white hair. Tail terminates with a black brush (not as well developed as in M. libycus ). Tail length is about equal to head body length. Skull robust, with extremely large bullae that extend quite beyond the supraoccipital. Braincase broad. The suprameatal triangle of bullae large and widely open at its posterior end. Upper incisors with anterior median groove ( Figure 54 ).

Localities: Previous records. Suwira ( Allen, 1915); Al Jafr, Azraq (Atallah, 1978); S Wādī ‘Araba (Qumsiyeh et al., 1986); ‘Aqaba, Azraq, Ghazaleh, Al Qaţrānah ( Amr & Disi, 1988); Wādī Khuneizīra (Harrison & Bates, 1991); Wādī Al Hashad (Al-Melhim et al., 1997); S Azraq (Amr et al., 1997); Wādī Ramm (Benda & Sádlová (1999); Faydat ad Dahik (Rifai etal., 2000); Al Hazīm, Buqay’awiyah, Faydat ad Dahik, Al Qaţţāfī, Ash Shawmarī Wildlife Reserve, Wādī Al Hashad, Wādī Salma, ( Abu Baker & Amr, 2003b); Al Mudawwarah (Abu Baker & Amr, 2004); Ash Shawmarī Wildlife Reserve ( Abu Baker et al., 2005). Materials from owl pellets. Qaşr Al Kharanah (Obuch per. com.), Qaşr al Ḩallābāt (Obuch per. com.), Ash Shawmarī Wildlife Reserve (Obuch per. com.). New records. Qaşr ‘Amra ( Figure 55 ).

Habitat: This is one of the most common jirds inhabiting the dry and arid habitats of Jordan. It prefers sand areas and hammada (Atallah, 1978). According to Atallah (1977), Sundevall's jird does not form colonies. Abu Dieyeh (1988) described the burrow system of the Sundevall's jird in Wādī ‘Araba. The burrow has elaborate tunnels that may reach several meters with several food and nesting chambers.

Biology: It feeds on a variety of food items including desert plants, animal dung and insects (Qumsiyeh, 1996). This is a nocturnal species, but may also forage during the day. It was observed near camel feeding areas, and comes during daytime to feed on barely and other vegetable matters. Breeding occurs during the cooler months, but may breed all year round, producing up to three litters a year. Litter size is around 3 to 7 young. The burrow system is simple with a single entrance and one food chamber. Litter size varies between 2 and 7 (Yiğit et al., 1996).

Remarks: This is widespread species with different subspecies along its distribution range. The karyotype for specimens collected from Jordan yeiled 2n=60 and FN=70 (Qumsiyeh et al., 1986).

Figures

FIGURE 53. Sundevall's jird, Meriones crassus.

FIGURE 54 A. Dorsal, B. Ventral, C. Lateral views of the skull, and D. Upper maxillary teeth for Meriones crassus.

FIGURE 55. Distribution of the Sundevall's jird, Meriones crassus.