North African Dipodil

conservation

Conservation: IUCN – Critically Endangered as Gerbillus quadrimaculatus, Lower Risk (lc) as G. campestris.

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

discussion

Discussion: Subgenus Petteromys. Nineteen species-group names have been associated with D. campestris by different authors in various combinations, as summarized by Lay (1983), who also noted that most opinions lacked supportive evidence and that some of the synonyms are unidentifiable or nomina nuda. Lay (1983) remarked that although most authors followed Ellerman and Morrison-Scott (1951) in listing quadrimaculatus equivocally under G. nanus, it should be kept separate until a revision is available. Pavlinov et al. (1990) synonymized it with Dipodillus campestris and we follow their allocation. Musser and Carleton (1993) had allocated hilda to G. nanus, but it belongs here (Aulagnier, in litt.). Those names listed here are probably correctly associated with D. campestris, but the species requires refined definition through careful systematic revision. Different geographical populations were reviewed by Aulagnier and Thevenot (1986, Morocco) Kowalski and Rzebik-Kowalska (1991, Algeria), Ranck (1968, Libya), and Osborn and Helmy (1980, Egypt). Benazzou and Zyadi (1990) conducted a biometric study analyzing variation among Moroccan populations. Dobigny et al. (2001 a, b) documented

Order Rodentia - Family Muridae