Calomyscus tsolovi, Peshev, 1991

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Calomyscidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 144-155 : 155

8.

Syrian Brush-tailed Mouse

Calomyscus tsolovi

French: Calomysque de Tsolov / German: Syrien-Maushamster / Spanish: Raton de cola de cepillo de Siria

Other common names: Syrian Calomyscus, Syrian Mouse-tailed Hamster, Tsolov's Mouse-like Hamster

Taxonomy. Calomyscus bailwardi tsolovi Peshev, 1991 ,

18 km NW Derra (= Der’a), Thafas, Syria .

Calomyscus tsolovi was described as a subspecies of C. bailwardi , but its small size and short tail clearly differentiates it from any other described species of brush-tailed mice. It was elevated to specific status based on morphological differentiation and distribution. Karyotype is unknown, no molecular data are available, and phylogenetic affinities are unknown. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known distribution based on only 14 specimens collected in 1982 around villages of Hammer and Thafas in Der’a District of SW Syria.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 66-75 mm, tail 55-66 mm, ear 12-14 mm, hindfoot 13-17 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Syrian Brush-tailed Mouse is the smallest species of brush-tailed mice and the only species where tail is not as long as or longer than head-body length (tail-body length 0-78-0-91 mm). No sexual dimorphism is reported for body or cranial measurements, except for slight differences in length of nasals. Condylobasal lengths are 19-3-21 mm, and zygomatic breadths are 10-8-12-1 mm. Dorsal surface is brownish gray, with light gray hairs on basal area, ocher-yellow hairs on middle area, and darker brown tip. Belly is white, and there is well-defined boundary with dorsal pelage. Tail is monocolored, sparsely covered with short brown hairs, but tip ends with well-developed tuff. Feet are white, with short and thin digits.

Habitat. Known only from the stony desert region of south-western Syria.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. The Syrian Brush-tailed Mouse is the only species of brush-tailed mouse that occurs on the Arabian Peninsula. Surveys conducted in northern Jordan failed to find brush-tailed mice. No conservation measures are known to be in place, and nothing is known about habitat requirements or threats. It has not been detected since 1982 and may be extinct.

Bibliography. Musser & Carleton (2005), Peshev (1989, 1991).

Figures

1. Zagros Mountains Brush-tailed Mouse (Calomyscus bailwardi), 2. Hotson’s Brush-tailed Mouse (Calomyscus hotsoni), 3. Pakistan Brush-tailed Mouse (Calomyscus baluchi), 4. Great Balkhan Brush-tailed Mouse (Calomyscus mystax), 5. Goodwin's Brush-tailed Mouse (Calomyscus elburzensis), 6. Noble Brush-tailed Mouse (Calomyscus grands), 7. Urar Brush-tailed Mouse (Calomyscus urartensis), 8. Syrian Brush-tailed Mouse (Calomyscus tsolovi)

Distribution. Known distribution based on only 14 specimens collected in 1982 around villages of Hammer and Thafas in Der’a District of SW Syria.