105.

Vivacious Gerbil

Gerbillus vivax

French: Gerbille vive / German: Lebhafte Rennmaus / Spanish: Gerbillo vivaz

Taxonomy. Dipodillus vivax Thomas, 1902,

Sehba, Libya.

In his 1902 description of G. vivax as a new species, O. Thomas compared it with G. amoenus . The taxonomic status of vivax is still rather controversial, and it has been synonymized variously with G. dasyurus, G. amoenus, and G. nanus . D. M. Lay in 1983 pointed out its morphological differences from G. dasyurus, while G. L.. Ranck in 1968, D. J. Osborn and I. Helmy in 1980, I. Ya. Pavlinov and colleagues in 1990, and D. C. D. Happold in 2013 included vivax in G. amoenus . Since G. G. Musser and M. D. Carleton in 2005 considered vivax a valid species,and pending further molecular studies and morphological arguments, that treatment is followed here. No relevant genetic data are available.

Monotypic. Distribution. Known only from two localities in SW Libya (Ain Hammam near Sawknah, and Sehba).

Descriptive notes. Head—body 75 mm, tail 106 mm, ear 12 mm, hindfoot 21 mm (combination of measurements of holotype and paratype). No specific data available for body weight. The Vivacious Gerbil, a medium-sized member of the genus Gerbillus, has ocherous-buff dorsal pelage sparsely lined with browner hairs, and pure white belly and limbs. Soles of hindfeet are bare. Some white spots are present on face. Tail is long and ends with pencil of longer hairs. Length of tympanic bullae represents 38% of total length ofskull.

Habitat. Arid regions of Sahara, with oases and “wadis” (ephemeral riverbeds).

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Vivacious Gerbils are probably nocturnal and terrestrial, using either burrows or rock cavities.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCNRed List as a distinct species. [UCN treated this species under the Pleasant Gerbil ( G. amoenus), which is classified as Least Concern.

Bibliography. Happold (2013a), Lay (1983), Musser & Carleton (2005), Osborn & Helmy (1980), Pavlinov etal. (1990), Ranck (1968), Thomas (19029).