70.

Gorongoza Gerbil

Gerbilliscus inclusus

French: Gerbille du Gorongosa / German: Gorongoza-Nacktsohlenrennmaus / Spanish: Gerbillo de Gorongoza

Taxonomy. Tatera inclusa Thomas & Wroughton, 1908,

Tambarara, Gorongoza District, Mozambique.

Gerbilliscus inclusus has generally been considered a representative of the G. afer species group. The species, however, has not yet been sequenced and its affinities are not known. Three subspecies have been recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

G.i.inclususThomas&Wroughton,1908—EZimbabweandCMozambique.

G.i.cosensiKershaw,1921—STanzaniaandNMozambique.

G. i. pringlet Hubbard, 1970 — known only from the type locality in NE Tanzania.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 152-161 mm, tail 135-191 mm, ear 21-29 mm, hindfoot 39-44 mm; weight 99-154 g. The Gorongoza Gerbil is a large gerbil with a relatively long (up to 115% of head-body length) bicolored tail. Dorsal pelage is dark ocherous buff and ventral pelage white. Females bear 3-4 pairs of mammae.

Habitat. Coastal savannas of south-central Africa. The Gorongoza Gerbil prefers sandy or soft soils at the edge of dry and riverine woodlands where annual rainfall exceeds 800 mm. It may be found in agro-ecosystems.

Food and Feeding. The Gorongoza Gerbil is omnivorous, and its diet is composed of seeds, fruits, and insects.

Breeding. Gestation period is 23-24 days. Young are born naked and blind; they open eyes at 16-20 days. Meanlitter size varies between two and three.

Activity patterns. Like all other gerbils, the Gorongoza Gerbil is nocturnal and terrestrial, digging burrows.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Gorongoza Gerbils dig simple burrows occupied by a single individual or a female with young. They use foot-drumming for communication.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Happold (2013a), Meester et al. (1986), Smithers & Wilson (1979).