Gerbillus dasyurus (Rodentia: Gerbillinae) Record from Hatay Province, in the South of Turkey

Year 2023, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 98 - 110, 25.04.2023

Mustafa Sözen , Muhsin Çoğal

https://doi.org/10.24180/ijaws.1062281

Abstract

Wagner’s gerbil, Gerbillus dasyurus, is present in Middle East, Arabian Peninsula and marginally into eastern desert of Egypt. The only records have been taken from Kilis in Turkey. In the present study, 10 specimens were collected from three localities in the Hatay Province. These specimens were captured in rocky hills and slopes with poor soil and vegetation on blocky igneous rocks, and also in the rocky lava flow area in the north eastern part of the Hatay Province. Diploid number of chromosome, number of chromosomes and fundamental number of autosomal arms of the specimens was found as 2n = 60, NF = 70 and NFa = 66, respectively. The relative abundance of species was estimated to be 2.74. The mean of the entire baculum is 2.37 mm long, and 0.52 mm the maximum wide (n=3). Number of roots on molars: 3 (M1 and M2), 2 (M1 and M2) and, 1 M3 and M3. The tail lenght is markedly longer than the total legnth of head and body. Morphological and karyologic characters of the samples verify that the indivuduals investigated belongs to Gerbillus dasyurus. However, it is possible to show inter- and intrapopulational variations because of the differences seen in the root number of M1, the proportion of the tail, and the shape of baculum etc., through a detailed study that covers all distribution area. This record is the second record of the species from Turkey. Since no examples could be obtained in the later studies in Kilis region, which was the first record locality, the protection of the new record localities in Hatay is important for the survival of the species in Turkey.

Keywords

Wagner’s gerbil, distribution, karyotype, phallus, baculum, abundance.

Supporting Institution

TUBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey)

Project Number

SBAG 214S276

Thanks

We thank Abdullah Öğünç and Arifsami İğde (Hatay Protection Nature of Association) for their guidance in the field. The specimens used in this study were collected during the field trips supported by the TUBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) (SBAG 214S276).

Türkiye'nin güneyindeki Hatay'dan Gerbillus dasyurus (Rodentia: Gerbillinae) Kaydı

Abstract

Kayalık gerbili, Gerbillus dasyurus, Orta Doğu'da, Arap Yarımadası'nda ve marjinal olarak Mısır'ın doğu çölünde bulunur. Türkiye'deki tek kayıt Kilis'ten alınmıştır. Bu çalışmada Hatay ilindeki üç lokaliteden 10 örnek toplanmıştır. Bu örnekler, Hatay İli'nin kuzeydoğu kesimindeki kayalık lav akıntısı alanında ve bloklu magmatik kayalar üzerinde toprak ve bitki örtüsünün zayıf olduğu kayalık tepeler ve yamaçlardan yakalanmıştır. Örneklerin diploid kromozom sayısı, kromozom kol sayısı ve temel otozomal kol sayısı sırasıyla 2n = 60, NF = 70 ve NFa = 66 olarak bulundu. Türlerin nispi bolluğu 2,74 olarak tahmin edilmiştir. Tüm baculumun ortalaması 2,37 mm uzunluğunda ve 0,52 mm maksimum genişliktedir (n=3). Azı dişlerindeki kök sayısı: 3 (M1 ve M2), 2 (M1 ve M2) ve 1 M3 ve M3. Kuyruk uzunluğu, baş ve gövdenin toplam uzunluğundan belirgin şekilde daha uzundur. Örneklerin morfolojik ve karyolojik özellikleri, incelenen bireylerin Gerbillus dasyurus'a ait olduğunu doğrulamaktadır. Ancak M1, kuyruk oranı, bakulum şekli vb. kök sayılarında görülen farklılıklar nedeniyle tüm yayılış alanlarını kapsayan detaylı bir çalışmada populasyonlar arası ve populasyon içi varyasyonlar göstermesi mümkündür. Bu kayıt türün Türkiye’den ikinci kaydıdır. Hatay kaydı Türkiye’den Kilis haricindeki tek kayıt bölgesi olduğu için türün yayılış alanının ortaya konulmasında önemli bir sonuçtur. Hatay’daki yeni kayıt bölgelerinin korunması türün Türkiye’de varlığını sürdürebilmesi bakımından da önemli olacaktır.

Keywords

Wagner gerbil, yayılış, karyotip, fallus, bakulum, bolluk

Project Number

SBAG 214S276

References

• Abu-Baker, M. A., & Amr, Z. (2003). A morphometric and taxonomic revision of the genus Gerbillus (Mammalia, Rodentia, Gerbillidae) in Jordan with notes on its current distribution. Zoologische Abhandlungen, 53, 177-204.
• Amori, G., Hutterer, R., Kryštufek, B., Yigit, N., Mitsainas, G., Palomo, L., & Aulagnier, S. (2021). Gerbillus dasyurus (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T9116A197509063. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T9116A197509063.en.
• Burgin, C. J., Wilson D. E., Mittermeier, R. A., Rylands, A. B., Lacher, T. E., & Sechrest, W. (2020). Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of the World. Volume 1. Monotremata to Rodentia. Lynx Editions, Barcelona.
• Çoğal, M., Ünal, M., Öktem, İ. M. A., & Sözen, M. (2016). A Preliminary Study to Determine Distribution and Ecology of Striped Hyaena (Hyaena hyaena) in the Area between Hassa and Reyhanli (Hatay). Nature and Man, 50, 24-37.
• Çolak, E., Sözen, M., & Yiğit, N. (1999). Observations on the Reproductive Biology of Gerbillus dasyurus (Wagner, 1842) (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Turkey. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 23, 243-246.
• Corbet, G. B. (1978). The Mammals of the Palaearctic Region: A Taxonomic Review. Vol. 2. London and Ithaca, British Museum (Natural History) and Cornell University Press, United Kingdom.
• Haim, A., & Tchemov, E. (1974). The distribution of myomorph rodents in the Sinai Peninsula. Mammalia, 38, 201-223.
• Harrison, D. L., & Bates, P. J. J. (1991). The Mammals of Arabia. Vol. 25. Harrison Zoological Museum. Kent, United Kingdom.
• Karataş, A. (2016). Mammalian (Mammalia) of Hatay Province. Nature and Man, 50, 17-23.
• Kryštufek, B., & Vohralík, V. (2001). Mammals of Turkey and Cyprus. Introduction, Checklist, Insectivora. Vol. 1. Slovenia, Koper.
• Kryštufek, B., & Vohralík, V. (2009). Mammals of Turkey and Cyprus. Rodentia II: Cricetinae, Muridae, Spalacidae, Calomyscidae, Capromyidae, Hystricidae, Castoridae. Slovenia, Koper.
• Lay, D. M., & Nadler, C. F. (1975). A study of Gerbillus (Rodentia: Gerbillinae) east of Euphrates River. Mammalia, 39(3), 423-445.
• Qumsiyeh, M. B., Schlitter, D., & Disi, A. (1986). New records and karyotypes of mammals from Jordan. Mammalian Biology, 51, 139–146.
• Scott, D. M., & Dunstone, N. (2000). Environmental determinants of the composition of desert-living rodent communities in the north-east Badia region of Jordan. Zoological Society of London, 251, 481-494. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2000.tb00804.x
• Shenbrot, G. I., Krasnov, B. R., & Khokhlova, I. S. (1997). Biology of Wagner's gerbil Gerbillus dasyurus (Wagner, 1842) (Rodentia: Gerbillinae) in the Negev Highlands, Israel. Mammalia, 61, 467- 486.
• Sözen, M. (2021). Mammal Diversity of Hatay Province and Conservation Suggestions. Doğanın Sesi, 4, 40-53.
• Tel, M., Temizer, A., Öner, A., Karacan, H., & Veldet, E. (2016). Kilis İli Kayalık Gerbili (Gerbillus dasyurus) Tür Eylem Planı 2016 – 2020. Aktel Mühendislik, Ankara.
• Wahrman, J., & Zahavi, A. (1955). Cytological contributions to the phylogeny and Classification of the rodent genus Gerbillus. Nature, 175, 600-602.
• Wassif, K., Lutfy, R. G., & Wassif, S. (1969). Morphological cytological and taxonomical studies of the rodent genera Gerbillus and Dipodillus from Egypt. Proceedings of the Egyptian Academy of Sciences, 22, 77-97.
• Wilson, D. E., & Reeder, D. M. (2005). Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Vol. 3. John Hopkins Univ. Press, Baltimore, United States.
• Wilson, D. E., Lacher, T. E., & Mittermeier, R. A. (2017). Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Vol. 7. Rodents II. Lynx Edicions. Barcelona.
• Yiğit, N., Çolak, E., Sözen, M., & Karataş, A. (2006). Rodents of Turkey. Vol. 1. Ankara, Turkey, Meteksan Company.
• Yiğit, N., Çolak, E., Sözen, M., & Özkurt, Ş. (2003). A study on geographical distribution along with habitat aspects of rodent species in Turkey. Bonner Zoologische Beiträge, 50, 355-368.
• Yiğit, N., Kıvanç, E., Çolak, E., & Sözen, M. (1997). Gerbil record from Turkey: Gerbillus (Hendecapleura) dasyurus (Wagner, 1842) (Rodentia: Gerbillinae). Israel Journal of Zoology, 43, 13-18.
• Zahavi, A., & Wahrman, J. (1957). The cytotaxonomy, ecology and evolution of the gerbils and jirds of Israel (Rodentia: Gerbillinae). Mammalia, 21, 341-380.