Gerbilliscus leucogaster (Peters, 1852)

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Muridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 536-884 : 619

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Bushveld Gerbil

Gerbilliscus leucogaster

French: Gerbille a ventre blanc / German: WeiRRbauch-Nacktsohlenrennmaus / Spanish: Gerbillo de sabana arbolada

Taxonomy. Meriones leucogaster Pe- ters, 1852 ,

“Africa orientalis, Mesuril, Boror[, Mozambique], 15° ad 17° Lat. Austr.”

Initially described in genus Meriones and in 1939 placed by G. M. Allen in Tatera , G. leu- cogasterwas subsequently clustered within a large G. robustus group butlater separated on basis of morphometrics and morphoanatomical studies. Chromosomes were detailed by M. B. Qumsiyeh in 1986. Mo-

lecular analysis by L. Granjon and colleagues in 2012 allowed confirmation of its validity and geographic variability within a clade including G. aferand G. brantsii . Monotypic.

Distribution. Angola, S DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia , Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique (including Bazaruto I, off S coast), N South Africa, and Swaziland.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 89-155 mm,tail 120-175 mm, ear 18-26 mm, hindfoot 24-38 mm; weight 32-114 g. A medium-sized gerbil, the Bushveld Gerbil is characterized by reddish-brown to orange-buffy dorsal pelage and pure white venter. Tail is longer (115%) than head-body length,is bicolored, and has a dark small terminaltuft. Females bear four pairs of mammae. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 40, FN = 66.

Habitat. Zambezian woodland savannas. The Bushveld Gerbil prefers sandy and soft soils, dry river courses, miombo ( Brachystegia , Fabaceae ) woodlands, and savannas, at elevations of up to 1600 m

Food and Feeding. The Bushveld Gerbil feeds on insects, seeds, and vegetable matter, in proportions varying according to season.

Breeding. Although female Bushveld Gerbils can reproduce year-round, peaks in births have been noted at the beginning of the wet season. Gestation lasts for 28 days, and litter size is 2-9 (average 5). Young are blind and naked at birth, open eyes at 16-21 days, and are weaned at day 28.

Activity patterns. Like all other gerbils oftribe Taterillini , the Bushveld Gerbil is a nocturnalterrestrial rodent. It moves by quadrupedal hopping. At bases of small shrubsit digs several complex burrows with many entrances, tunnels, and a main chamber with carpet of dry vegetation.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Lack of aggressiveness in the laboratory suggests some sociality. Bushveld Gerbils communicate with ultrasounds and foot-drumming.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List.

Bibliography. Allen (1939), Dempster & Perrin (1994), Granjon et al. (2012), Happold (2013a), Monadjem etal. (2015), Qumsiyeh (1986).

Figures

Distribution. Angola, S DR Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia , Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique (including Bazaruto I, off S coast), N South Africa, and Swaziland.