Massoutiera mzabi (Lataste, 1881)

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Ctenodactylidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 288-299 : 297

2.

Mzab Gundi

Massoutiera mzabi

French: Goundi du Mzab / German: Langhaar-Gundi / Spanish: Gundi de Mzab

Taxonomy. Ctenodactylus mzabi Lataste, 1881 ,

“Sahara algérien: Gardaia (Mzab)” (= Ghardaia, c.480 km south of Algiers, Algeria) .

Allocated by F. Lataste to the new genus Massoutiera in 1885. Monotypic.

Distribution. Discontinuous distribution in C & SE Algeria, E Mali, W Niger, and NW Chad and possibly in SW Libya.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 125-210 mm, tail 33-85 mm; weight up to 234 g. Similar to other species of gundis, the Mzab Gundi has a thick and compact body with dense pelage, short and flattened ears, long black vibrissae, big distally positioned eyes, short limbs, and tetradactyle feet with comb-like bristles in the two inner digits of the hindfeet. Pelage of the Mzab Gundi is highly variable, usually cream to reddish brown dorsally and paler ventrally. In basaltic areas, the Mzab Gundi tends to be uniformly chocolate brown. The Mzab Gundi differs from other species gundi by its hugely expanded auditory bullae (among the most expanded of any desert rodent). Its furry tail is intermediate in size, longer than in the Common Gundi ( Ctenodactylus gundi ) and the Desert Gundi (C. vali ) but shorter than in Speke’s Gundi ( Pectinator speket). It is mobile and can be used to balance. The Mzab Gundi also has the longest large intestine of all gundi species. Skull and mandible are quite similar in all species of Ctenodactylidae , but the angular process is most developed in the Common Gundi , the Desert Gundi , and the Mzab Gundi compared with the Felou Gundi ( Felovia vae ) and Speke’s Gundis. The Mzab Gundi has a simplified dental formula; cheekteeth are euhypsodont and covered by cementum. Upper incisors are faintly grooved, or not at all, and morphology of cheekteeth is quite different compared with other species of gundis.

Habitat. Rocky mountains and edges of “hamadas” (stony desert plains) in desert and semi-desert areas. The Mzab Gundilives under a variety of climatic conditions, and along with the Desert Gundi,it can be found in areas with extremely high mean temperatures and low rainfall (less than 20 mm of rain/year).

Breeding. Mzab Gundis breed when they are 7-9 months old. Females have vaginal closure membranes during periods of sexual inactivity and distinct periods of estrus. Gestation is 60-65 days. Similar to Common Gundis and Desert Gundis, Mzab Gundis produce two litters/year under favorable conditions, with up to three newborns in each (two on average), but they do not reproduce under extreme conditions and food scarcity. In the Mzab region, first litters are usually born in January-March and second litters in April-May. Female Mzab gundis are sedentary and territorial and occupy the same area of 1000-2000 m* throughout the year. In autumn (September— December), a male joins a female in her territory and stays with her until the birth of their first litter and, if food is available, until the birth of their second litter, at the latest until the beginning of summer (June). During this period, they cooperate to defend their territory. After birth and during the first month oflife, the male hardly ever interacts with his offspring, but he may watch them from a distance. The mother carries her young in her mouth from one shelter to another, feeds them, and spends at least part of the night with them. Young males stay with their mothers until the beginning of summer, but females stay longer and even, whenever possible, establish themselves in a home range near their mothers.

Food and Feeding. The Mzab Gundi is herbivorous. In winter (November—March), it forages all the time, but in summer (April-September), it forages only during the coolest times of the day. In summer, it becomes partly nocturnal, foraging before sunrise until 10:00 h and then again in late afternoon until after sunset. The Mzab Gundi seems to be less selective than the Common Gundi, and although it shows preference for crucifers and composites, it eats the most abundant plants available. When there is a choice, the Mzab Gundi favors fresh leaves to stalks and frequently eats flower heads. It prefers the cruciferous purple-flowered Moricandia arvensis ( Brassicaceae ), leaves of the herbaceous Reseda sp. (Resedaceae) , and flower heads of the yellow Launea sp. ( Asteraceae ); it also eats Stipa retorta ( Poaceae ). Survival of the Mzab Gundi in hostile environments of the Sahara is possible because ofits behavioral patterns and access to plants with water content in excess of 50% in the early hours of the morning.

Activity patterns. Similarly to the other gundis, Mzab Gundis mainly sunbathe, forage, rest in the shade, and groom. The Mzab Gundiis the only known gundi that remains active after nightfall but only during the hot season. It has the most effective behavioral adaptations to temperature variation of all gundi species, dissipating body heat and conserving water. The Mzab Gundi avoids direct sun exposure at temperatures of 20° or more, and it is typical to see it lying on cooler ledges, allowing it to stay outside longer. During eight hours and 20 minutes of observation when temperatures ranged from 18°C at dawn and 35°C by midday, a Mzab Gundi spent 40% of its time dashing about, 12% sunbathing, 6% foraging, and 42% resting in the shade.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Mzab Gundis live at low densities (0-3-3-2 ind/ha) and shelter in small and disperse family groups. They can travel long distances before making contact with other groups. Females are sedentary and territorial; each adult female lives in a territory of 1000-2000 m* throughout the year and uses many temporary shelters instead of a few permanent ones. In autumn (September—-December), a male joins a female in her territory to reproduce, and he stays with her at most until the beginning ofJune, depending on food availability. At this time, young males of both litters also disperse; therefore, solitary Mzab Gundis are common in summer. During cohabitation, an adult male and female cooperate to defend their territory from conspecific intruders. The Mzab Gundi is the mostsilent ofall gundis, but young and adults emit alarm calls when a predator is detected.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Mzab Gundi does not face any serious conservation threats. It is known from the prehistoric (c. 7000 Bc) site of Ti-n-Torha (Tadrart Acacus, Libya).

Bibliography. Aulagnier (2008a), Dieterlen (2005b), Gautier (1987), Gautier & van Neer (1982), George (1974, 1978, 1981a, 1988), Gouat (1991, 1993, 2013), Gouat et al. (1984), Lataste (1885), Lopez-Antonanzas & Knoll (2010, 2011), Nutt (2008), Pocock (1922), Ranck (1968).

Figures

1. Speke’s Gundi (Pectinator spekei), 2. Mzab Gundi (Massoutiera mzabi), 3. Felou Gundi (Felovia vae), 4. Common Gundi (Clenodactylus gundi), 5. Desert Gundi (Ctenodactylus vali)

Distribution. Discontinuous distribution in C & SE Algeria, E Mali, W Niger, and NW Chad and possibly in SW Libya.