124.

Somalian Gerbil

Gerbillus somalicus

French: Gerbille de Somalie / German: Somalia-Rennmaus / Spanish: Gerbillo de Somalia

Other

common names: Somalian Dipodil

Taxonomy. Dipodillus somalicus Thomas, 1910,

Upper Sheikh, Somalia.

In original 1910 description O. Thomas suggested that G. somalicus and G. stig monyx (both then placed in genus Dipodillus) are probably closely related, but F. Petter in 1975 treated somalicus as a subspecies of G. campestris . Following D. M. Lay in 1983, as well as G. G. Musser and M. D. Carleton in 2005, D. C. D. Happold in 2013, and A. Monadjem and colleagues in 2015, and pending revision of the species, G. somalicus is here retained as valid. Monadjem and colleagues pointed out its similarity to G. brockmani, but the species differs morphologically from G. campestris and Happold demonstrated some differences from G. agagand G. brockmani of the same regions. There are no genetic data available. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from two localities in Djibouti and N Somalia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 82-90 mm, tail 112-124 mm, ear 11-12 mm, hindfoot 24-25 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Somalian Gerbil is a small gerbil with dark sandy-brown or orange-brown dorsal pelage and pure white venter. Chin, throat, limbs, and feet are white, and there is a well-marked white patch behind ears. Soles of hindfeet are naked. Long tail (135% of head-body length) is of same color as the back and paler below; terminal third of tail displays a well-developed pencil of black-brown hairs.

Habitat. Dry arid regions of Somali-Masai savanna zone.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Somalian Gerbils are probably nocturnal and terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Happold (2013a), Lay (1983), Monadjem et al. (2015), Musser & Carleton (2005), Pearch et al. (2001), Petter (1975a), Thomas (1910c).