125.

Harwood’s Gerbil

Gerbillus harwoodi

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

Other common names: Harwood's Dipodil

Taxonomy. Gerbillus harwoodi Thomas, 1901,

Lake Naivasha, Kenya.

Gerbillus harwoodi was listed as Dipodillus harwoodi by G. G.Musser and M. D. Carleton in 2005, but molecular study by A. Abiadh and colleagues in 2010 demonstrated that genus Dipodillus is not valid. This species’ relationship with G. bottai was discussed by I. Ya. Pavlinov and coworkers in 1990. Monotypic.

Distribution. SC Kenya and NC Tanzania.

Descriptive notes. LL rin mm, tail 85-112 mm, ear 9-10 mm, hindfoot 19-25 mm; weight 14 g. Harwood’s Gerbil is a small gerbil with orange-brown dorsal pelage, and pure white ventral pelage sharply delineated on flanks. Feet are white and have naked sole. Tail is long (125% of head—body length), with well-developed pencil of black hairs at tip. Tympanic bullae are large (35% of maximum length of skull).

Habitat. Dry savannas and grasslands in Acacia (Fabaceae) savanna.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. A pregnant female with four embryos was found (June) in Kenya.

Activity patterns. Harwood’s Gerbil is nocturnal and lives in deep burrows.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Harwood’s Gerbil appears to be locally abundant.

Bibliography. Abiadh, Chétoui et al. (2010), Lay (1983), Monadjem et al. (2015), Musser & Carleton (2005), Pavlinov et al. (1990).