Gerbillus (Hendecapleura) garamantis Lataste 1881

Gerbillus (Hendecapleura) garamantis Lataste 1881, Le Naturaliste, 3: 507.

Type Locality: Algeria, Ouargla, Sidi Roueld.

Vernacular Names: Algerian Gerbil.

Distribution: Algeria.

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (lc).

Discussion: Subgenus Hendecapleura . Most workers have included garamantis in G. nanus (e.g., Kowalski and Rzebik-Kowalska, 1991; Pavlinov et al., 1990; F. Petter, 1975 b; Qumsiyeh, 1996), but never with supporting evidence. Matthey (1954) recorded a 2n = 54 for a sample without designated locality that was identified as garamantis . Lay (1983:342) noted that 2n = 52 is usually associated with G. nanus and that G. garamantis be recognized "provisionally pending confirmation and clarification of Matthey’s results." The species was reviewed as a population of G. nanus by Kowalski and Rzebik-Kowalska (1991), who were uneasy with including garamantis in G. nanus and did not believe that the same species extended from Morocco to Pakistan. They also noted that garamantis would be the oldest name for North African populations if determined to be different from those in Asia. See account of G. nanus .