99.

Lataste’s

Gerbil

Gerbillus latastei

French

:

Gerbille de Lataste / German: Lataste-Rennmaus / Spanish: Gerbillo de Lataste

Taxonomy. Gerbillus latastei Thomas & Trouessart, 1903,

Kebili, Tunisia.

Taxonomic status of G. latastei, considered a valid species by D. M. Lay in 1983, G. G. Musser and M. D. Carleton in 2005, S. Aulagnier and colleagues in 2009, and D. C. D. Happold in 2013, was discussed in 1975 by F. Petter, who placed it in synonymy with G. pyramidum, and in 1978 by G. B. Corbet, who followed J. R. Ellerman’s 1941 treatment and classified it within G. gerbillus . G. L. Ranck in 1968 and E. L.. Cockrum in 1977 employed name G. aureus, which is considered a synonym of latastei . Cytogenetic work by M. Chétoui and colleagues in 2002, and recent mtDNA analyses by A. Abiadh and coworkers in 2010 and A. Ndiaye and colleagues in 2012, confirmed validity of G. latastei, and analysis by V. Nicolas and colleagues in 2014 extended its distribution to Algeria. G. latastei is genetically close to clade that includes two Moroccan endemics, namely G. hoogstraali and G. hesperinus . Monotypic.

Distribution. From Hadjeb El Djmel in NC Algeria E through Tunisia to N Libya.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 98-120 mm, tail 110-144 mm, ear 13-18 mm, hindfoot 25-32 mm; weight 34-50 g. Sexual dimorphism present. Chromosomal complement of Lataste’s Gerbil is 2n = 74, FNa = 94-102, and this high chromosomal polymorphism seems to be related to geography. This medium-sized gerbil has hairy footsoles, and a long tail (116% of head-body length) not terminating in pencil of long hairs. Dorsal pelage has an orange-yellow color more or less dark (depending on populations) and pure white venter. Cheeks, nose, chin, throat, limbs and feet are white.

Habitat. In Djelfa region (High Plateau, Algeria), Lataste’s Gerbil was trapped in plantations intersected with windbreaks of Aleppo pine ( Pinus halepensis, Pinaceae) and Mediterranean Cypress ( Cupressus sempervirens, Cupressaceae). Plantations include those of apple trees ( Malus domestica), pear trees ( Pyrus communis), common fig trees ( Ficus carica), olive trees ( Olea europaea), apricot trees ( Prunus armeniaca), tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum), aubergines ( Solanum melongena), onions ( Allium cepa), peppers ( Capsicum frutescens), zucchinis ( Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbitaceae), and broad beans ( Vicia sativa, Fabaceae). According to Aulagnier and colleagues in 2009, Lataste’s Gerbil is found at edge of desert and in subdesertic habitats. It occurs on plateaus, “hamada” (barren, hard, rocky) slopes with sparse vegetation, and small dunes, as well as on sandy dry river beds and margins of small “wadis” (ephemeral riverbeds).

Food and Feeding. Lataste’s Gerbil feeds on castor beans ( Ricinus communis, Euphorbiaceae) and probably seeds.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Lataste’s Gerbil is nocturnal and terrestrial, digging burrows in which it stores food.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Lataste’s Gerbil is not captured in abundance.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List, but ecology and population demography are poorly known.

Bibliography. Abiadh, Chétoui et al. (2010), Abiadh, Colangelo et al. (2010), Aulagnier et al. (2009), Chétoui et al. (2002), Cockrum (1977), Corbet (1978), Ellerman (1941), Happold (2013a), Jordan et al. (1974), Lay (1983), Musser & Carleton (2005), Ndiaye et al. (2012), Nicolas, Souttou et al. (2014), Petter (1975a), Ranck (1968).