126.

Cheesman’s Gerbil

Gerbillus cheesmani

French: Gerbille de Cheesman / German: Cheesman-Rennmaus / Spanish: Gerbillo de Cheesman

Taxonomy. Gerbillus cheesmani Thomas, 1919,

“Mesopotamia [= Iraq/Kuwait]; exact locality not recorded.”

Gerbillus cheesmani was placed in synonymy with G. gerbillus by F. Petter in 1961, an opinion not followed by D. M. Lay and C. F. Nadler in 1975 nor by Lay in 1983. Two subspecies ( cheesmani and arduus) were recognized by D. L. Harrison and P. J. J. Bates in 1991, and one (maritimus) by C C. Sanborn and H. Hoogstraal in 1953. Three subspecies recognized here.

Subspecies and Distribution.

G.c.cheesmaniThomas,1919—IraqandKuwait.

G.c.arduusCheesman&Hinton,1924—ArabianPeninsula(Jordan,SaudiArabia,Qatar,Yemen,UnitedArabEmirates,andOman).

G. c. maritimus Sanborn & Hoogstraal, 1953 — littoral sand desert of W & S Yemen. Also present in S Iran, but subspecies involved not known.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 74-103 mm, tail 94-146 mm, ear 9-14 mm, hindfoot 24-33 mm; weight 17-35 g. Cheesman’s Gerbil is a medium-sized gerbil, with thick, soft, sandy-buff to yellow-gray dorsal pelage and pure white belly. White spots are present on cheeks, forelimbs, and at base oftail. Tail is relatively long (120% of head—body length), is bicolored, and has a white to gray pencil at tip. Skull displays similar characters to those of G. andersoni and G. gerbillus, with more inflated tympanic bullae. In

Kuwait specimens diploid number was 2n = 38, FN = 71 to 75, compared with 2n = 38, FN = 74 in Iran.

Habitat. Sandy soils, sand dunes with deep-rooted perennial shrubs. Sandy-clay soils to sandy gravels in desert plains, from sea level to 1240 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. Reproduction may occur throughout the year, and 3-6 embryos were reported in two pregnant females. InArabia, O. Henry and G. Dubost found that reproduction by Cheesman’s Gerbil was seasonal and corresponded to April-May, with a second peak in November. Males and females responded fast and synchronously to irregular rain pattern. Females gave birth to 1-7 offspring (average 4-5).

Activity patterns. Cheesman’s Gerbil is nocturnal but may be seen during the day, and terrestrial. Some individuals were seen at night to be running in sandy hummocks and sparse vegetation. Burrows are long, with three or four entrances, and a large nesting chamber situated at maximal depth (about 1250 mm). Nest is composed of finely shredded vegetable material.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Cheesman’s Gerbilis relatively solitary.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Cheesman’s Gerbil is quite common.

Bibliography. Al-Sheikhly et al. (2015), Aulagnier et al. (2009), Badr & Asker (1980), Harrison & Bates (1991), Henry & Dubost (2012), Lay (1983), Lay & Nadler (1975), Lewis et al. (1965), Petter (1961c¢), Sanborn & Hoogstraal (1953).