Euphrates jerboa

The Euphrates jerboa (Scarturus euphratica) is a rodent of the family Dipodidae and genus Scarturus.[2] They are characteristically known as hopping rodents. They have been found in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and also occurs very marginally in southeastern Turkey.[3] The Euphrates jerboa's natural habitats are semi-deserts, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland and hot deserts.[4]

Euphrates jerboa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Dipodidae
Genus: Scarturus
Species:
S. euphratica
Binomial name
Scarturus euphratica
Thomas, 1881
Synonyms

Allactaga euphratica

Description

Similar to the other jerboas in the genera Allactaga and Scarturus, the Euphrates jerboa are small hopping rodents of desert regions and have large ears and a long tail. The tail assists and serves as support when the jerboa is standing upright.[5] They have “long hind feet and short forelegs, and always walk upright”.[6] The forelimbs of the Euphrates Jerboa serve as a pair of hands for feeding, grooming, etc.[7] The male Euphrates jerboa is usually larger in size and weight in comparison to the female.[8]

Reproduction

The Euphrates jerboa reproductive activity depends on the seasons. Females may give birth to up to nine young. In Turkey, breeding season spans from March to July. In Iraq, breeding season ranges from February to May. It is possible for the female to have three litters per year.[9] The Euphrates Jerboa is born an average weight of 2.74 grams.[10]

Conservation status

The Euphrates jerboa was listed on the Least Concern List by the IUCN Red List.

References
  1. Dando, T.; Kennerley, R. (2019). "Scarturus euphratica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T854A22201790. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T854A22201790.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. "Scarturus euphraticus (ASM Mammal Diversity Database #1001970)". Mammal Diversity Database. American Society of Mammalogists. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  3. Arslan, Atilla. "C-banding and Ag-NOR Distribution Patterns in Euphrates Jerboa, Allactaga Eupharatica." Mammalia Winter 76.4 (2012): 435. ArticleReach. Web. 17 Sept. 2013.
  4. Kryštufek, B. "Allactaga Euphratica." IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. N.p., 2008. Web. 01 Oct. 2013. <http://iucnredlist.org/details/854/0>.
  5. Kirmiz, John P. Adaptation to Desert Environment; A Study on the Jerboa, Rat and Man. London: Butterworths, 1962. 17. Print.
  6. Lagassé, Paul. "Jerboa." The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. New York: Columbia UP, 2000. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 Oct. 2013.
  7. Kirmiz, John P. Adaptation to Desert Environment; A Study on the Jerboa, Rat and Man. London: Butterworths, 1962. 29. Print.
  8. Kirmiz, John P. Adaptation to Desert Environment; A Study on the Jerboa, Rat and Man. London: Butterworths, 1962. 19. Print.
  9. Kryštufek, B. "Allactaga Euphratica." IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. N.p., 2008. Web. 01 Oct. 2013. <http://iucnredlist.org/details/854/0>.
  10. Ercüment, Colak. "Ecology and Biology of Allactaga Elater, Allactaga Euphratica and Allactaga Williamsi (Rodentia: Dipodidae) in Turkey." Tr. J. of Zoology (1996): 105.Tr. J. of Zoology. Web. 3 Oct. 2013. <http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/issues/zoo-98-22-2/zoo-22-2-3-97042.pdf Archived 2013-12-03 at the Wayback Machine>.
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