Bathyergus janetta, Thomas & Schwann, 1904
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6584692 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6584765 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/038F4B5A-FFA6-FFD1-AD2D-F6CEB9D3C09F |
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treatment provided by |
Carolina |
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scientific name |
Bathyergus janetta |
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2. View Plate 22: Bathyergidae
Namaqua Dune Mole-rat
Bathyergus janetta View in CoL
French: Bathyergue namaquois / German: Namaqua-Strandgraber / Spanish: Rata topo de dunas de Namaqua
Other common names: Namaqgua Dune Mole Rat, Namaguan Dune Blesmol, Small Dune Mole-rat
Taxonomy. Bathyergus janetta Thomas & Schwann, 1904 View in CoL ,
Port Nolloth, coastal Little Namaqualand, north-western Cape Province, South Africa.
This species is monotypic.
Distribution. S Namibia and W South Africa (W Northern Cape). View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 170-235 mm (males) and 170-205 mm (females), tail 41-52 mm (males) and 40-50 mm (females); weight 242-710 ¢g (males) and 195-540 g (females). The Namaqua Dune Mole-rat is smaller than the Cape Dune Mole-rat ( B. suillus ) and considerably more colorful; dorsal pelage ranges from gray to silvery gray, with a blackish strip leading from head region to rump; ventral surface of pelage is more silvery gray. The Namaqua Dune Mole-rat has short, bushy tail; hairs around eyes and ear pinna are light; and feet are pinkish with short bristles. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 54, FN = 104.
Habitat. Sandy soils near highly arid, coastal dunes.
Food and Feeding. The Namaqua Dune Mole-rat is herbivorous and eats geophytes and bulbs; it does not drink standing water.
Breeding. Breeding of the Namaqua Dune Mole-rat occurs during rainy period in July-September. Litter sizes are 1-7 young, and gestation is a minimum of 52 days.
Activity patterns. Burrowing activity of Namaqua Dune Mole-rats is greatest during rainy periods; they excavate burrows with claws.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Average lengths of burrows are 71:2-165 m, and home ranges are 430-3—-1181-3 m? The Namaqua Dune Mole-rat is solitary and territorial with individuals occupying different burrow systems.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Bibliography. Bennett & Faulkes (2000), Bennett et al. (1991), Herbst & Bennett (2006), Herbst et al. (2004), Jarvis (2013), Jarvis & Bennett (1991), Maree, Faulkes & Griffin (2008a), Nevo et al. (1986), Skinner & Chimimba (2005), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.