Spalax uralensis, Tiflov & Usov, 1939
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6609100 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6608895 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03AE87DD-FF97-BD1B-FF33-FDF1FDFBF7A0 |
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treatment provided by |
Felipe |
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scientific name |
Spalax uralensis |
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Kazakhstan Blind Mole-rat
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 View in CoL ,
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. View Figure
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).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
