Val's gundi (''Ctenodactylus vali'') is a species of

rodent Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the Order (biology), order Rodentia (), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal species are roden ...

in the family Ctenodactylidae. It is known from two widely separated areas of North Africa.

Description

Val's gundi is very similar to the other species of

gundi Gundis or comb rats ( family Ctenodactylidae) are a group of small, stocky rodents found in Africa. They live in rocky deserts across the northern parts of the continent. The family comprises four living genera and five species ( Speke's gundi ...

, especially the common gundi, with grey, soft, silky fur and a resemblance to

guinea pig The guinea pig or domestic guinea pig (''Cavia porcellus''), also known as the cavy or domestic cavy (), is a species of rodent belonging to the genus '' Cavia'' in the family Caviidae. Breeders tend to use the word ''cavy'' to describe the ...

s. They have rounded ears; round eyes; stocky, blunt nosed bodies; short legs; short necks; and short, furry tails.

Distribution

Val's gundi is found in two isolated populations. The western population occurs in northeastern

Morocco Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria ...

but with the main part of the population in adjacent parts of northwestern

Algeria ) , image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Algiers , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , religi ...

, in the

Oued Guir Oued Guir is an intermittent river or wadi that flows through the Drâa-Tafilalet and Oriental regions in southeastern Morocco and Béchar Province in western Algeria. Course The Oued Guir originates high in the Atlas Mountains northeast of the ...

Oued Zouzfana Oued Zouzfana is an intermittent river, or wadi, that flows through the Oriental region in southeastern Morocco and Béchar Province

and

Oued Saoura Oued Saoura is an intermittent river, or wadi, formed from the confluence of the Oued Guir and Oued Zouzfana at Igli, forming the Saoura valley. While in the past the flow of the river was steady and plentiful, in recent years it has diminished d ...

, with the most southernly record from

Kerzaz Kerzaz ( ar, كرزاز) is a town and commune, and capital of Kerzaz District, in Béchar Province, western Algeria. According to the 2008 census its population is 5,028, up from 4,276 in 1998, and its annual growth rate is 1.7%. The commune co ...

in Algeria. The eastern population is in northwestern

Libya Libya (; ar, ليبيا, Lībiyā), officially the State of Libya ( ar, دولة ليبيا, Dawlat Lībiyā), is a country in the Maghreb region in North Africa. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Su ...

, some from the other population and is found on high plateaus at about in altitude.

Biology

Val's gundi is found in rocky habitats, using fissures and rocky crevices as shelters. Compared to the common gundi it inhabits drier desert regions and is less sociable and much more solitary. The males and females only come together in the breeding season which lasts from November to January. It is generally diurnal, but it is occasionally active for short periods after sunset. The gestation period of 56 days after which a litter of one to three young are born, the female gives birth to two or three litters per year. The previous litters are independent prior to the birth of the next litter. Val's gundi is thought to be limited to rockier and drier habitat as a result of competition with the common gundi.

Taxonomy and name

Val's gundi was considered to be a subspecies of common gundi, but studies have shown that it is morphologically and behaviourally distinctive. The derivation of the name is from a local word for the rodent rather than after a person, "vali" may be a local word for this rodent, as is "gundi" elsewhere.

Conservation status

Val's gundi is currently listed as Data Deficient since there is no substantial information on the species range or population numbers or abundance, making it difficult to ascertain what the true status of the species is. It is thought that as there are no likely threats to the species its true status may be Least Concern.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:gundi, Val's

Val's gundi Val's gundi (''Ctenodactylus vali'') is a species of rodent in the family Ctenodactylidae. It is known from two widely separated areas of North Africa. Description Val's gundi is very similar to the other species of gundi, especially the common ...

Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Taxa named by Oldfield Thomas