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{{Short description|Species of rodent}}
{{Taxobox
{{Speciesbox
| name = Greater mole-rat
| name = Greater blind mole-rat
| image = Spalax microphthalmus - Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Giacomo Doria - Genoa, Italy - DSC02852.JPG
| image = Філія ЛПЗ НАНУ "Стрільцівський степ" Spalax microphthalmus.jpg
| status = LC
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name = IUCN>{{IUCN2011.2|assessor= Tsytsulina, K.|assessor2= Formozov, N.|assessor3= Zagorodnyuk, I.|assessor4= Sheftel, B.|last-assessor-amp= yes|year=2008|id=20430| title=Spalax microphthalmus|downloaded=19 June 2012}}</ref>
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Tsytsulina, K. |author2=Formozov, N. |author3=Sheftel, B. |author4=Zagorodnyuk, I. |date=2016 |title=''Spalax microphthalmus'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T20430A2772472 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T20430A2772472.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
| regnum = [[Animalia]]
| genus = Spalax
⚫
| species = microphthalmus
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
⚫
| authority = [[Johann Anton Güldenstädt|Gueldenstaedt]], 1770
| classis = [[Mammalia]]
| synonyms = {{Specieslist
| ordo = [[Rodent]]ia
|Spalax pallasii|Nordmann, 1839
| familia = [[Spalacidae]]
⚫
|Spalax typhlus|Pallas, 1779
| genus = ''[[Spalax]]''
}}
⚫
| species = '''''S. microphthalmus'''''
| binomial = ''Spalax microphthalmus''
⚫
| binomial_authority = [[Johann Anton Güldenstädt|Gueldenstaedt]], 1770
| synonyms = * ''S. pallasii'' <small>Nordmann, 1839</small>
⚫
* ''S. typhlus'' <small>Pallas, 1779</small>
}}
}}

The '''greater mole-rat''' (''Spalax microphthalmus'') is a species of [[rodent]] in the family [[Spalacidae]].<ref name = MSW3>{{MSW3 Muroidea | id = 13000035 | page = 921}}</ref> It is found in [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]].
The '''greater blind mole-rat''' ('''''Spalax microphthalmus''''') is a species of [[rodent]] in the family [[Spalacidae]].<ref name = MSW3>{{MSW3 Muroidea | id = 13000035 | page = 921}}</ref> It is found in [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]].


==Description==
==Description==
The greater mole-rat is tail-less. The eyes are covered by a membrane of skin and have atrophied lens cells enclosed in a vesicle and a retinal layer. It has prominent incisor teeth, which are used for burrowing. The fur is greyish, but can vary in color. It can grow to a size of 31&nbsp;cm and weigh up to 570 g. Its [[dental formula]] is {{DentalFormula|upper=1.0.0.3|lower=1.0.0.3}} <ref name= macdonald>{{cite book | last = MacDonald | first = David|author2=Priscilla Barret |title = Mammals of Britain & Europe |volume= 1| year = 1993| publisher = HarperCollins |location = London | isbn =0-00-219779-0| page = 239 }}</ref>
The greater blind mole-rat is tailless. The eyes are covered by a membrane of skin and have atrophied lens cells enclosed in a vesicle and a retinal layer. It has prominent incisor teeth, which are used for burrowing. The fur is greyish, but can vary in color. It can grow to a size of {{cvt|31|cm|in|0}} and weigh up to {{cvt|570|g|oz|0}}. Its [[dental formula]] is {{DentalFormula|upper=1.0.0.3|lower=1.0.0.3}} <ref name= macdonald>{{cite book | last = MacDonald | first = David|author2=Priscilla Barret |title = Mammals of Britain & Europe |volume= 1| year = 1993| publisher = HarperCollins |location = London | isbn =0-00-219779-0| page = 239 }}</ref>


==Distribution and habitat==
==Distribution and habitat==
The greater mole-rat is known from the [[steppe]]s of Ukraine and from southern Russia between the [[Dnieper]] and the [[Volga]] rivers. Its range extends northwards to the [[Oryol]] to [[Kursk]] railway line and southwards to the [[North Caucasus]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Don E. Wilson|author2=DeeAnn M. Reeder|title=Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JgAMbNSt8ikC&pg=PA921 |year=2005 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=978-0-8018-8221-0 |pages=921}}</ref> It favours lowland habitats with black earth, avoiding sandy or loamy soils. It inhabits steppes and forest steppes, agricultural land, plantations, orchards and gardens and can be a [[Pest (organism)|pest]].<ref name = IUCN/>
The greater blind mole-rat is known from the [[steppe]]s of Ukraine and from southern Russia between the [[Dnieper]] and the [[Volga]] rivers. Its range extends northwards to the [[Oryol]] to [[Kursk]] railway line and southwards to the [[North Caucasus]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Don E. Wilson|author2=DeeAnn M. Reeder|title=Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JgAMbNSt8ikC&pg=PA921 |year=2005 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=978-0-8018-8221-0 |pages=921}}</ref> It favours lowland habitats with black earth, avoiding sandy or loamy soils. It inhabits steppes and forest steppes, agricultural land, plantations, orchards and gardens and can be a [[Pest (organism)|pest]].<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" />


==Behavior==
==Behavior==
The greater mole-rat is a [[fossorial]] species that stays underground except when dispersing to new territories as juveniles, a period of great vulnerability. It lives a solitary existence, except during the breeding season. Due to its atrophied eyes it is totally blind. The paws are not modified like the ones of the moles; it digs with its incisor teeth instead.<ref name= macdonald />
The greater blind mole-rat is a [[fossorial]] species that stays underground except when dispersing to new territories as juveniles, a period of great vulnerability. It lives a solitary existence, except during the breeding season. Due to its atrophied eyes it is totally blind. The paws are not modified like the ones of the moles; it digs with its incisor teeth instead.<ref name= macdonald />


It is a [[herbivore]] and feeds on the roots of such plants as [[dandelion]]s, [[Umbelliferae|umbellifers]], [[chicory]] and tree seedlings, approaching them from underneath. It gathers excess food and stores it in its burrow, sometimes as much as {{convert|14|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on}} being collected. Breeding takes place once a year with a litter of two to five young being born in March.<ref name = IUCN/>
It is a [[herbivore]] and feeds on the roots of such plants as [[dandelion]]s, [[Umbelliferae|umbellifers]], [[chicory]] and tree seedlings, approaching them from underneath. It gathers excess food and stores it in its burrow, sometimes as much as {{convert|14|kg|lb|-1|abbr=on}} being collected. Breeding takes place once a year with a litter of two to five young being born in March.<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" />


==Status==
==Status==
In general the greater mole-rat is a common species, but somewhat patchily distributed. The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] has rated its conservation status as being of "[[Least-concern species|least concern]]"<ref name = IUCN/>
In general the greater blind mole-rat is a common species, but somewhat patchily distributed. The [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] has rated its conservation status as being of "[[Least-concern species|least concern]]"<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" />


==References==
==References==
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{{Spalacidae nav}}
{{Spalacidae nav}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q82434}}


[[Category:Spalax]]
[[Category:Spalax]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1770]]
[[Category:Rodents of Europe]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1770]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Johann Anton Güldenstädt]]
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]

Latest revision as of 15:21, 15 February 2023

Greater blind mole-rat
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Spalacidae
Genus: Spalax
Species:
S. microphthalmus
Binomial name
Spalax microphthalmus
Synonyms
  • Spalax pallasii Nordmann, 1839
  • Spalax typhlus Pallas, 1779

The greater blind mole-rat (Spalax microphthalmus) is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae.[2] It is found in Russia and Ukraine.

Description

[edit]

The greater blind mole-rat is tailless. The eyes are covered by a membrane of skin and have atrophied lens cells enclosed in a vesicle and a retinal layer. It has prominent incisor teeth, which are used for burrowing. The fur is greyish, but can vary in color. It can grow to a size of 31 cm (12 in) and weigh up to 570 g (20 oz). Its dental formula is 1.0.0.31.0.0.3 [3]

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

The greater blind mole-rat is known from the steppes of Ukraine and from southern Russia between the Dnieper and the Volga rivers. Its range extends northwards to the Oryol to Kursk railway line and southwards to the North Caucasus.[4] It favours lowland habitats with black earth, avoiding sandy or loamy soils. It inhabits steppes and forest steppes, agricultural land, plantations, orchards and gardens and can be a pest.[1]

Behavior

[edit]

The greater blind mole-rat is a fossorial species that stays underground except when dispersing to new territories as juveniles, a period of great vulnerability. It lives a solitary existence, except during the breeding season. Due to its atrophied eyes it is totally blind. The paws are not modified like the ones of the moles; it digs with its incisor teeth instead.[3]

It is a herbivore and feeds on the roots of such plants as dandelions, umbellifers, chicory and tree seedlings, approaching them from underneath. It gathers excess food and stores it in its burrow, sometimes as much as 14 kg (30 lb) being collected. Breeding takes place once a year with a litter of two to five young being born in March.[1]

Status

[edit]

In general the greater blind mole-rat is a common species, but somewhat patchily distributed. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern"[1]

References

[edit]
Wikispecies has information related to Spalax microphthalmus.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spalax microphthalmus.
  1. ^ a b c d Tsytsulina, K.; Formozov, N.; Sheftel, B.; Zagorodnyuk, I. (2016). "Spalax microphthalmus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T20430A2772472. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T20430A2772472.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Musser, G. G.; Carleton, M. D. (2005). "Superfamily Muroidea". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 921. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. ^ a b MacDonald, David; Priscilla Barret (1993). Mammals of Britain & Europe. Vol. 1. London: HarperCollins. p. 239. ISBN 0-00-219779-0.
  4. ^ Don E. Wilson; DeeAnn M. Reeder (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. JHU Press. p. 921. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0.
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