The Iranian jerboa (Allactaga firouzi) is a rodent of the family Dipodidae and subfamily Allactaginae.[2] They are characteristically known as hopping rodents and have only been found in a small population in Iran. Iranian jerboa are microhabitat specialist, they require a particular environment to provide them with specific conditions suitable for living.[3]
| Iranian jerboa | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Dipodidae |
| Genus: | Allactaga |
| Subgenus: | Allactaga |
| Species: | A. firouzi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Allactaga firouzi Womochel, 1978
| |
Physical appearance
editSimilar to the other jerboas in the genus Allactaga, the Iranian 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.[4] They have long hind feet and short forelegs.[5] The forelimbs of the jerboa serve as a pair of hands for feeding, grooming, etc.[6]
Predation
editIranian jerboas were found on flat plains with a gravel and little vegetation. Low vegetation areas help them see predators more easily, allowing them to return to burrows quickly.[3] Similar to most jerboas, the Iranian Jerboa avoids brightly moonlit nights to decrease the chance of predation.
Phylogeny
editCompared to other jerboas in the same genus, Iranian jerboas are most related to Allactaga hotsoni.[7]
Burrows/tunnels
editIt is a nocturnal[8][9] animal, spending the day in burrows. The Iranian Jerboas are one of the few jerboas that have different types of burrows. They make a different burrow in the summer and winter.[10] The winter burrows have deeper tunnels, for protection during hibernation from predators and harsh winters.[11]
Diet
editThis jerboa has a vegetarian diet of Anabasis and Peganum harmala.[3]
References
edit- ^ Kennerley, R. (2016). "Allactaga firouzi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T855A22202302. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T855A22202302.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Holden, M. E. and G. G. Musser. 2005. Family Dipodidae. Pp. 871–893 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
- ^ a b c Naderi, Gholamreza. "Investigation of Habitat Preferences of Iranian Jerboa." MammaliaWinter 75.2 (2011): 183. ArticleReach. Web. 15 Sept. 2013.
- ^ Kirmiz, John P. Adaptation to Desert Environment; A Study on the Jerboa, Rat and Man. London: Butterworths, 1962. 17. Print.
- ^ Lagassé, Paul. "Jerboa." The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. New York: Columbia UP, 2000. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 Oct. 2013.
- ^ Kirmiz, John P. Adaptation to Desert Environment; A Study on the Jerboa, Rat and Man. London: Butterworths, 1962. 29. Print.
- ^ Dianat, Malahat. "Molecular Phylogeny of the Iranian Plateau Five-toed Jerboa, Allactaga (Dipodidea: Rodentia), Inferred from MtDNA." Mammalia Winter 77.1 (2012): 98. Print.
- ^ Iranian Jerboa (Allactaga firouzi) Archived 2010-10-31 at the Wayback Machine. Edgeofexistence.org (2006-08-09). Retrieved on 2012-12-29.
- ^ Dipodidae – birch mice, jerboas, jumping mice. Wildlife Journal Junior. Nhptv.org. Retrieved on 2012-12-29.
- ^ 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>.
- ^ Mohammadi, Saeed. "Burrow System of Iranian Jerboa (Allactaga Firouzi Womochel)." Acta Zoológica Mexicana 26.2 (2010): 457. Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Sept. 2013.