Spalax uralensis, Tiflov & Usov, 1939

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Spalacidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 108-142 : 140

25.

Kazakhstan Blind Mole-rat

Spalax uralensis

French: Spalax de I'Oural / German: Kasachstan-Blindmaus / Spanish: Rata topo ciega de Kazajistan

Other common names: Ural Blind Mole-rat

Taxonomy. Spalax uralensis Tiflov & Usov, 1939 ,

Chingerlauz region, W Kazakhstan.

Although originally described as a separate species, S. wuralensis was generally regarded as a synonym or subspecies of S. giganteus until 1993 when A. Yu. Puzachenko demonstrated its unique status using morphometrics. Monotypic.

Distribution. W Kazakhstan.

Descriptive notes. Head-body up to 310 mm, no visible external tail. No specific data are available for body weight. The Kazakhstan Blind Mole-rat is smaller and darker but generally similar to the Giant Blind Mole-rat (S. giganteus ). It has lower and broader rostrum and narrower upper incisors than the Giant Blind Mole-rat.

Habitat. Sandy massifs along floodplains of the lower Ural River basin. Distribution of the Kazakhstan Blind Mole-rat is tied to presence ofits primary food source, Volga wild rye ( Elymus giganteus , Poaceae ).

Food and Feeding. The Kazakhstan Blind Mole-rat feeds on multiple plant species, but Volga wild rye represents the bulk of its diet. Food caches reach sizes of 2-5 kg.

Breeding. Kazakhstan Blind Mole-rats usually breed once a year in spring or summer, but females will occasionally have a second litter in autumn. Litter sizes are 2—6 young.

Activity patterns. Kazakhstan Blind Mole-rats are active year-round. Digging activity peaks in spring and is lowest in June.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Burrows of Kazakhstan Blind Molerats include feeding tunnels near the surface and deeperliving chambers. Burrows are 145-540 m long and 0-9-3 m deep. Densities are 0-26—1 ind/ha in marginal conditions and 4 ind/ha in quality habitat.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. The Kazakhstan Blind Mole-ratis listed as rare with limited distribution (category 3) on the Red List of Kazakhstan. It is threatened by overgrazing and experiences declines in drought years.

Bibliography. Gromov & Erbajeva (1995), Musser & Carleton (2005), Ognev (1947), Puzachenko (1993, 2016e), Topachevskii (1969), Tsytsulina (2008b).

Figures

1. Altai Zokor (Myospalax myospalax), 2. Steppe Zokor (Myospalax aspalax), 3. Armand’s Zokor (Mpyospalax armandii), 4. Manchurian Zokor (Myospalax psilurus), 5. Khingan Zokor (Myospalax epsilanus), 6. Fontanier’s Zokor (FEospalax fontaniern), 7. Gansu Zokor (Fospalax cansus), 8. Qinling Zokor (Fospalax rufescens), 9. Plateau Zokor (FEospalax bailey), 10. Rothschild’s Zokor (Eospalax rothschildi), 11. Smith’s Zokor (Eospalax smithu), 12. Chinese Bamboo Rat (Rhizomys sinensis), 13. Hoary Bamboo Rat (Rhizomys pruinosus), 14. Indomalayan Bamboo Rat (Rhizomys sumatrensis), 15. Lesser Bamboo Rat (Cannomys badius), 16. African Root Rat (Tachyoryctes splendens), 17. Giant Root Rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus), 18. Oltenia Blind Mole-rat (Spalax istricus), 19. Mehely’s Blind Mole-rat (Spalax antiquus), 20. Bukovina Blind Mole-rat (Spalax graecus), 21. Podolsk Blind Mole-rat (Spalax zemni), 22. Sandy Blind Mole-rat (Spalax arenarius), 23. Greater Blind Mole-rat (Spalax microphthalmus), 24. Giant Blind Mole-rat (Spalax giganteus), 25. Kazakhstan Blind Mole-rat (Spalax uralensis), 26. Lesser Blind Mole-rat (Nannospalax leucodon), 27. Anatolian Blind Mole-rat (Nannospalax xanthodon), 28. Middle East Blind Mole-rat (Nannospalax ehrenbergi)

Distribution. W Kazakhstan.