Subfamily Gerbillinae Gray, 1825 . Ann. Philos., n.s., 10:342.

SYNONYMS: Ammodillini, Desmodilliscini, Gerbillurini, Merionidae, Pachyuromyini, Rhombomyini, Taterillinae.

COMMENTS: Whether viewed as a subfamily or family, species of gerbils form a distinct group defined by a suite of derived traits (see Carleton and Musser, 1984). In a series of reports, Pavlinov (1980 a, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987) presented analyses of skeletal and dental characters of gerbils and developed a hypothesis of their phylogeny and a classification. The monograph by Pavlinov et al. (1990) represents a culmination of these efforts, in which the phylogeny, species classification, morphology, ecology, and geographical distribution of Gerbillidae are comprehensively reviewed.

Cytogenetic data for the subfamily summarized by Qumsiyeh and Schütter (1991) and Viegas-Pequignot et al. (1986). Rates of protein, chromosomal, and morphological evolution in four genera reported by Qumsiyeh and Chesser (1988). Chromosomal and biochemical results of several genera documented and discussed in a phylogenetic context by Benazzou et al. (1984). Anatomy, physiology, adaptive significance, and evolution of the middle and inner ear of gerbillines documented by Lay (1972) and Pavlinov (1988); significance of acoustic emissions and morphology of cochlea in context of adaptation and systematics reported by Bridelance (1987) and Plassmann et al. (1987); and the relationship of acoustical adaptations in relation to steppe and desert environments summarized by Petter et al. (1984).

The origin and evolution of North African gerbils discussed by Tong (1989) whose results were presented in a phylogenetic classification of genera and compared with other classifications based on morphological, chromosomal, and biochemical data. Palearctic species reviewed by Corbet (1978c, 1984); Russian species checklisted by Pavlinov and Rossolimo (1987). See Pavlinov et al. (1990) for authors and publication dates of family-group names.