Calomyscus bailwardi, Thomas, 1905

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 : 152-153

1.

Zagros Mountains Brush-tailed Mouse

Calomyscus bailwardi

French: Calomysque de Bailward / German: Zagros-Maushamster / Spanish: Ratén de cola de cepillo de Zagros

Other common names: Zagros Mountains Calomyscus, Zagros Mountains Mouse-like Hamster

Taxonomy. Calomyscus bailwardi Thomas, 1905 ,

“ Mala-i-Mir , 70 mi. N.E. of Ahwaz, 4300’ [= 1311 m],” SW Persia . Modified by G. G. Musser and M. D. Carleton in 2005 to “ Mala--Mir (= Izeh ), 120 km SE Ahwaz (= Ahaz), Zagros Mtns., Eastern Khuzistan Province, WC Iran .” All currently recognized species of brushtailed mice, except for C. wrartensis, have previously been recognized as subspecies of C. bailwardi , demonstrating minor diffeences observed in morphology and color among these taxa. Elevation of these forms to distinct species was originally based on karyotypic differentiation but has been further supported by morphometric and molecular analyses. Six distinct karyotypes, five of which were sampled from a different province have been reported for C. bailward.. Specimens collected from near the type locality in the Khuzistan Province have a karyotype with a diploid number of 2n = 46 and an autosomal fundamental number of FNa = 44, whereas a karyotype with a 2n = 37 and FNa = 40 has been found in the northwestern Zagros Mountains, Bahtaran (= Kermanshah) Province. In the southern part of this mountain range, karyotypes with a 2n = 52 and FNa = 56 and 2n = 50 and FNa=48 or 50 have been found in Kerman and Fars provinces respectively. Specimens of C. bailwardi from southern and central parts ofits distribution (Fars, Kerman, southern Yazd, and central Hormozgan provinces) form a monophyletic clade with material from near the type locality (Khuzestan Province) in phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial sequences. The level of genetic divergence between the subclade from near the type locality and the clade containing samples southeast of the type locality suggests the presence of more than a single species. In these same analyses, this clade falls within a “southern clade” that also includes C. baluchi and C. hotsoni ; however, sequences from specimens from more northern areas of the Zagros Mountains are not contained in this southern clade. Material from Kurdistan forms a monophyletic clade that is sister to C. wrartensis, and material from Kermanshah forms a monophyletic clade that is sister to C. grandis within a larger northern clade. Although no subspecies are currently recognized, there is strong evidence that some northern and southern population currently recognized as C. bailwardi likely represents undescribed phylogenetic species. B. Krystufek and V. Vohralik in 2009 reviewed the reports of Calomyscus from Turkey (Gaziantep and Hakkari provinces) and discussed the possibility that C. bailwardi occurs in south-eastern and southern Turkey. However, the populations of Calomyscus in north-western Iran (West Azerbaijan and Kurdistan provinces) in the closest proximity to the localities reported from Turkey are C. wrartensis and not C. bailwardi . No specimens are available from Turkey to either verify the occurrence or identify the taxon that may be present. Monotypic.

Distribution. Limits of distribution unresolved but currently known from W & S Iran (Zagros Mts as far E as the Kerman Province and the N Genu Mts of Hormozgan Province); it may occur in S & SE Turkey (Gaziantep and Hakkari provinces).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 80-92 mm, tail 81-92 mm, ear 18-20 mm, hindfoot 19-22 mm; weight 17-22 g. Ears and hindfeet of the Zagros Mountains Brush-tailed Mouse are similar in length, and tail is only slightly longer than head-body length. It is pinkish buff but darker on back due to presence of black-tipped hairs. Head is buffy and slightly paler than back. Belly is pure white, with sharp demarcation with buffy pelage along flanks. White pelage extends to cheeks and nearly to eyes. Dorsal surface offeet is white, and tail is bicolored with grayish buff above and white below. Ears are naked, pale grayish brown, with small white patches at bases. Skull is small and narrow, with condylobasal lengths of 22:4-23-7 mm and zygomatic breadths of 12:2-13-2 mm. M is wider than in most other species of brush-tailed mice.

Habitat. Dry rocky hills, ridge lines, and mountain sides, often with large boulders and scant vegetation. Vegetation is typically xerophylic and includes bunches of grass,thistles, and knapweed ( Centaurea spp. , Asteraceae ). The Zagros Mountains Brush-tailed Mouse is also commonly found in rock walls surrounding grain fields.

Food and Feeding. Poorly known. The Zagros Mountains Brush-tailed Mouse likely feeds on grass seeds, including Bromus spp. (Poaceae) , and thistle buds that have been found in little piles under overhanging rocks in the habitat where these mice are abundant.

Breeding. Juvenile Zagros Mountains Brush-tailed Mice with body weights of 7-16 g have been collected from the southern Zagros Mountains in late April and early May. Lactating females, each with four placental scars, were found in December along with an additional female with two uterine swellings. These data suggest the littersizes are 2—4 young.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Poorly known. The Zagros Mountains Brush-tailed Mouse is reported to occur in very high density in the lacustrine habitat in the valley above Lake Parishan (= Famur) in Fars Province.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Akbarirad et al. (2016c¢), Ashrafzadeh (2010), Corbet (1978), Graphodatsky et al. (2000), Hashemi et al. (2006), Karami et al. (2008), Krystufek & Vohralik (2009), Lay (1967), Malikov et al. (1999), Musser & Carleton (2005), Morshed & Patton (2002), Norris et al. (2003), Shahabi et al. (2011), Vorontsov et al. (1979), Zarei et al. (2013).

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. Limits of distribution unresolved but currently known from W & S Iran (Zagros Mts as far E as the Kerman Province and the N Genu Mts of Hormozgan Province); it may occur in S & SE Turkey (Gaziantep and Hakkari provinces).