Eospalax smithii (Thomas, 1911)

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 : 134

11.

Smith’s Zokor

Eospalax smithii

French: Zokor de Smith / German: Smith-Blindmull / Spanish: Zocor de Smith

Taxonomy. Myospalax smithii Thomas, 1911 ,

30 mi (48 km) SE of Tao-chou , Gansu, China.

G. M. Allen in 1940 suggested that E. smith#2 may be a hybrid between E. rothschildi x E. cansus , but subsequent authorities have not adopted this position. On the basis of tooth morphology and smaller body size, M. A. Lawrence in 1991 argued for a sister relationship to E. rothschildi . Molecular data weakly suggest a close relationship to E. rufescens or E. baileyi . Monotypic.

Distribution. Gansu, Ningxia, N Sichuan, and W Shaanxi (C China).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 162-255 mm,tail 34-39 mm; weight 180-460 g. Smith's Zokor has dark brown dorsal pelage, with slight cinnamon colored tips. Back of head is dark gray to velvety black, area around ears is dark brown, and vibrissae are black and white. White forehead blaze is present in some individuals. Venter is grayish brown, also mixed with cinnamon. Immature individuals are bluish gray, with sooty gray head. Temporal ridges are more pronounced, and auditory bullae are more flattened compared with other species of zokors.

Habitat. Steppe, open fields, grassland, and cropland at elevations above 2000 m.

Food and Feeding. Smith’s Zokor eats primarily grasses.

Breeding. Breeding of Smith’s Zokor peaks in June-July, and offspring are born in May-September. Litter size is usually 2-4 young but can be as high as eight young. Females produce two litters annually.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Smith’s Zokors construct complex burrows in soft wetsoils.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and as near threatened on the 2016 China Red List. Smith’s Zokor reportedly has a wide distribution and large population, does not face major threats, and is found in one or more protected areas.

Bibliography. Allen (1940), Fan Naichang & Shi Yinzhu (1982), He Ya etal. (2012), Jiang Zhigang et al. (2016), Lawrence (1991), Li Baoguo & Chen Fuguan (1989), Musser & Carleton (2005), Smith (2008), Smith & Johnston (2008c), Su Junhu et al. (2014).