Clenodactylus gundi, Rothman, 1776

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Ctenodactylidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 288-299 : 298

4.

Common Gundi

Clenodactylus gundi

French: Goundi de ‘Atlas / German: Eigentlicher Gundi / Spanish: Gundi comun

Other common names: Atlas Gundi, North African Gundi, Northern Gundi

Taxonomy. Mus gundi Rothman, 1776 ,

“Garean,” (= Gharyan, 80 km south of Tripoli, Libya).

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. NE Morocco, N Algeria, Tunisia, and NW Libya.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 150-228 mm, tail 20-45 mm; weight up to 396 g. The Common Gundi is a mediumsized rodent and the largest of all living gundi species. It has a large and straight forehead with a short muzzle, long black vibrissae, and big distally positioned eyes. Its thick and compact body is covered by dense and soft pelage that is dorsally pale yellow-brown and lightens ventrally into yellowish gray. Ears are oval, short, and flattened on the head; they are black inside and externally well covered with soft hair on edges of the cavity. Limbs and furry tail are short;tail is shorter than hindfeet. Feet are tetradactyl, with widely separable slender digits that are subequally spaced. Digits on hindfeet are longer than those on forefeet and have combs of three bristles that are strong in the two inner digits (second and third) and thin in the others. Plantar and digital pads of the Common Gundi are elastic and enriched in melanin to mitigate hits during jumps and to provide some thermal isolation from hot substrates. All fingers have short, sharp, and curved claws that do not reach the ground in their regular position. Upper incisors are curved with a single groove; lower ones are short and slender. Cheekteeth are euhypsodont, and dental formula is simplified.

Habitat. Semi-desert rocky habitats with sparse vegetation, mostly on southern slopes of the Atlas Mountains up to an elevation of 2900 m. Distribution of the Common Gundi is relatively wide and continuous from north-eastern Morocco to north-western Libya. It can be found in mountainous areas and large “wadis” (ephemeral riverbeds). As with all gundi species, the Common Gundi does not digs or burrow, and its survival depends on shelter provided by the substrate. Shelters, such as large rocks, are needed for colonization of a site because they protect Common Gundis from extreme temperatures and predators. The Common Gundi avoids forest or any other dense vegetation, but it is rare in true desert habitat because it cannot survive long in a region without any annual rainfall. Respective distributions of the Common Gundi and the Desert Gundi (C. vali ) in the western Saharan Atlas fluctuate with rainfall; Desert Gundis occupy areas abandoned by Common Gundis during dry periods.

Food and Feeding. The Common Gundiis herbivorous, and it seems to be the most selective feeder of all gundi species. It is capable of climbing small trees or bushes to eat their leaves. In semi-desert habitats, Common Gundis feed on Anabasis ar ticulate ( Amaranthaceae ), Artemisia herba-alba ( Asteraceae ), Asparagus acutifolius ( Asparagaceae ), Astragalus armatus ( Fabaceae ), Hammada articulata ( Amaranthaceae ), Rhus tripartita ( Anacardiaceae ), and grasses, but in high-elevations sites, they feed on Euphorbia bupleuroides ( Euphorbiaceae ), Lamium sp. (Lamiaceae) , Rhamnus alaternus, R. lycioides (both Rhamnaceae ), and grasses. Common Gundis forage when temperatures are not extreme.

Breeding. Some details of reproduction of the Common Gundi are well documented, based on long-term studies of individuals. Common Gundis start breeding at 7-9 months old. Female have a vaginal closure membrane during periods of sexual inactivity. The Common Gundi is polyestrous with long estrous cycles of ¢.29 days. Gestation is ¢.73 days. Common Gundis produce two litters/year under favorable conditions with up to three newborns in them (two on average); they do not reproduce during extreme conditions and food scarcity. Firstlitters are usually born in February—March and the second in April-May (these dates are delayed by two months for individuals that live in high elevations). There is a prepartum estrus for the second copulation. Common Gundis form stable and long-lasting social groups, in which a male can live with multiple females. Reproduction begins when a reproductive male and females drive away supernumerary males. The male stays in the colony for years. Newborns are precocial, but nurse for their first two weeks. Communal nursing is the rule, and young remain near the main shelter being watched over by an adult female or ajuvenile. Adults carry young in their mouth, one by one, from one shelter to another. During this time, young develop their motor skills. After their mobility is completely achieved, they feed mainly on chewed leaves, and they are able to fully integrate the group. Young are completely weaned at c¢.4 weeks. Newborns grow relatively fast. Dispersal of young from a natal group depends on ecological conditions; it can occur within the first year or be delayed if environmental conditions are harsh. In captivity, the Common Gundi can live up to c.6 years.

Activity patterns. All gundi species are active more or less during daylight. The Common Gundi spends 50-70% of its time outside ofits shelter (less during the hot season). When out ofits shelter,it rests one-half of the time, usually in the sun. The Common Gundi sunbathes throughout the year, but it will sit or lie in shade or inside its shelter when temperatures increase. In this way, the Common Gundi maintainsit body temperature behaviorally. Sunbathing is the first thing it does in the morning to keep its body warm. Then,it searches for food, which it does not store. After eating, it rests among warm rocks to enhance digestion. When the temperature reaches 32°C, Common Gundis go inside their shelters until dusk when temperatures drop. During the hot season, Common Gundis only forage at dawn and dusk when temperatures are cooler. Common Gundis are rarely active when temperatures are above 35°C or below 10°C. Common Gundis groom (dust-bathing and scratching) at least once a day. They dust-bathe near their main shelter and use their toe combs on their hindfeet to scratch but can use forefeet and mouths to groom vibrissae and genitals, respectively.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Common Gundis are gregarious and live in colonies. Available shelters and proximity of food resources permit the establishment of a colony. They occupy permanent and temporary shelters for many years and live in stable and long-lasting small family groups usually of a male and various numbers of females, with their young and juveniles. Colonies of Common Gundis are often distant from one another, and individuals can travel long distances before making contact with other groups; densities are 0-2-25 ind/ha. Common Gundis mark and defend their territories against conspecific intruders, which may be bitten to death even if they are rarely aggressive. Entrances of shelters are marked with copious piles of feces. Adults and juveniles take turns watching surroundings from atop rocks to detect predators and conspecific intruders, and they emit alarm calls if a predator suddenly appears or it is seen from a safe distance.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Common Gundi does not face any known conservation threats.

Bibliography. Aulagnier (2008c), Dieterlen (2005b), George (1974, 1978, 1981a, 1982, 2001), Gouat, J. (1985, 1986, 1989), Gouat, J. & Gouat (1984, 1987), Gouat, J. et al. (1985), Gouat, P (1991, 1992, 1993, 2013), Gouat, P & Gouat (1983, 1987), Lopez-Antonanzas & Knoll (2011), Nutt (2008), Ranck (1968).

Figures

1. Speke’s Gundi (Pectinator spekei), 2. Mzab Gundi (Massoutiera mzabi), 3. Felou Gundi (Felovia vae), 4. Common Gundi (Clenodactylus gundi), 5. Desert Gundi (Ctenodactylus vali)

Distribution. NE Morocco, N Algeria, Tunisia, and NW Libya.