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{{Short description|Species of rodent}}
<!-- This article was auto-generated by [[User:Polbot]]. -->
{{Speciesbox
{{Taxobox
| name = Gulf Coast kangaroo rat
| name = Gulf Coast kangaroo rat
| image = Padre Island kangaroo rat.jpg
| image = Padre Island kangaroo rat.jpg
| status = LC
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{IUCN2008|assessors=Linzey, A. V. & NatureServe (Hammerson, G.)|year=2008|id=6685|title=Dipodomys compactus|downloaded=27 March 2009}}</ref>
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=Cassola, F. |year=2016 |title=''Dipodomys compactus'' |errata=2017 |page=e.T6685A115083122 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T6685A22228198.en |access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref>
| regnum = [[Animalia]]
| genus = Dipodomys
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| species = compactus
| authority = [[Frederick W. True|F. W. True]], 1889<ref>{{cite journal|last1=True|first1=Frederick W.|title=Description of ''Geomys personatus'' and ''Dipodomys compactus'', two new species of rodents from Padre Island, Texas|journal=Proceedings of the United States National Museum|date=1889|volume=11|issue=699|pages=159–160|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/7608261|doi=10.5479/si.00963801.699.159}}</ref>
| classis = [[Mammalia]]
⚫
| synonyms =
| ordo = [[Rodent]]ia
}}
| familia = [[Heteromyidae]]
| genus = ''[[Dipodomys]]''
| species = '''''D. compactus'''''
| binomial = ''Dipodomys compactus''
| binomial_authority = [[Frederick W. True|True]], 1889
⚫
| synonyms = }}


The '''Gulf Coast kangaroo rat''' ('''''Dipodomys compactus''''') is a species of [[rodent]] in the family [[Heteromyidae]] found in [[Mexico]] and the [[United States]]. Its appearance and ecology are very similar to its putative [[cladistics|sister-species]], [[Ord's kangaroo rat]].<ref>{{Cite journal | volume = 86 | issue = 2 | pages = 366–379 | last = Alexander | first = L.F. | coauthors = B.R. Riddle | title = Phylogenetics of the New World rodent family Heteromyidae | journal = Journal of Mammalogy | date = 2005}}</ref>
The '''Gulf Coast kangaroo rat''' ('''''Dipodomys compactus''''') is a species of [[rodent]] in the family [[Heteromyidae]] found in [[Mexico]] and the state of Texas in the [[United States]].<ref name = MSW3>{{MSW3 Heteromyidae | id = 12700011 | page = 845}}</ref> Its appearance and ecology are very similar to those of its putative [[Sister group|sister species]], [[Ord's kangaroo rat]].<ref>{{Cite journal | volume = 86 | issue = 2 | pages = 366–379 | last1 = Alexander | first1 = L. F. |last2 = Riddle | first2 = B. R.| title = Phylogenetics of the New World rodent family Heteromyidae | journal = Journal of Mammalogy | date = 2005 | doi=10.1644/ber-120.1| s2cid = 7246837 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

==Description==
Adult Gulf Coast kangaroo rats are about {{convert|220|mm|1|abbr=on}} long including a tail of about {{convert|120|mm|1|abbr=on}}. There are two distinct color forms, an ashy gray and a reddish- or yellowish-buff. In both cases the purest color is on the sides and flanks with hairs in the dorsal region having dark tips giving a blackish sheen. The cheeks are white and the ears and upper and lower tail stripes are brown. This species is generally paler in color than other kangaroo rats and can be distinguished from the Ord's kangaroo rat by its shorter, uncrested tail and its shorter, coarser fur.<ref name=Baumgardner>{{cite journal |author=Baumgardner, George D. |year=1991 |title=''Dipodomys compactus'' |journal=Mammalian Species |issue=369 |pages=1–4 |doi=10.2307/3504093 |jstor=3504093 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Distribution==
The Gulf Coast kangaroo rat is found in southeastern Texas, southwards from [[Bexar County, Texas|Bexar]] and [[Gonzales County, Texas|Gonzales counties]], and in Zapata County, in [[Mustang Island]] and [[Padre Island]], just off the coast of Texas, and in the barrier islands off the state of [[Tamaulipas]] in Mexico.<ref name=iucn/><ref name=Baumgardner/>

==Ecology==
The Gulf Coast kangaroo rat is mainly nocturnal and feeds on seeds which it collects in its cheek pouches and carries back to its burrow.<ref name=iucn/> It lives in sparsely-vegetated locations with sandy soils, often among dunes and normally on the down-wind slope of a dune. Plants found growing in the vicinity include [[Uniola paniculata|sea oats]] (''Uniola paniculata''), [[Andropogon|bluestem grass]] (''Andropogon''), [[Distichlis|saltgrass]] (''Distichlis''), [[Fimbristylis|fringe-rushes]] (''Fimbristylis''), [[sunflower]]s (''Helianthus'') and [[Croton (plant)|croton]] (''Croton''). In sparse [[Prosopis|mesquite]] (''Prosopis'') savannah in Texas it is associated with [[Aristida|wiregrasses]] (''Aristida''), [[Bouteloua hirsuta|hairy grama]] (''Bouteloua hirsuta'') and [[Chloris cucullata|hooded windmill grass]] (''Chloris cucullata''), as well as [[Opuntia|prickly pear]] (''Opuntia'').<ref name=Baumgardner/>

==Status==
The population trend of the Gulf Coast kangaroo rat appears to be steady and no particular threats have been identified. In suitable habitat it is quite common and the [[IUCN]] has listed it as being of "[[least concern]]".<ref name=iucn/>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
*Patton, J. L. 2005. Family Heteromyidae. pp.&nbsp;844–858 ''in'' Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.


{{H. Dipodomyinae nav}}
{{H. Dipodomyinae nav}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q303588}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Kangaroo Rat, Gulf Coast}}
[[Category:Dipodomys|Gulf Coast Kangaroo Rat]]
[[Category:Dipodomys|Gulf Coast Kangaroo Rat]]
[[Category:Mammals of the United States]]
[[Category:Rodents of the United States]]
[[Category:Mammals of Mexico]]
[[Category:Rodents of Mexico]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1889]]

[[Category:Taxa named by Frederick W. True]]
{{Heteromyidae-stub}}
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]

[[vi:Dipodomys compactus]]

Latest revision as of 03:43, 18 April 2024

Gulf Coast kangaroo rat
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Heteromyidae
Genus: Dipodomys
Species:
D. compactus
Binomial name
Dipodomys compactus

The Gulf Coast kangaroo rat (Dipodomys compactus) is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae found in Mexico and the state of Texas in the United States.[3] Its appearance and ecology are very similar to those of its putative sister species, Ord's kangaroo rat.[4]

Description

[edit]

Adult Gulf Coast kangaroo rats are about 220 mm (8.7 in) long including a tail of about 120 mm (4.7 in). There are two distinct color forms, an ashy gray and a reddish- or yellowish-buff. In both cases the purest color is on the sides and flanks with hairs in the dorsal region having dark tips giving a blackish sheen. The cheeks are white and the ears and upper and lower tail stripes are brown. This species is generally paler in color than other kangaroo rats and can be distinguished from the Ord's kangaroo rat by its shorter, uncrested tail and its shorter, coarser fur.[5]

Distribution

[edit]

The Gulf Coast kangaroo rat is found in southeastern Texas, southwards from Bexar and Gonzales counties, and in Zapata County, in Mustang Island and Padre Island, just off the coast of Texas, and in the barrier islands off the state of Tamaulipas in Mexico.[1][5]

Ecology

[edit]

The Gulf Coast kangaroo rat is mainly nocturnal and feeds on seeds which it collects in its cheek pouches and carries back to its burrow.[1] It lives in sparsely-vegetated locations with sandy soils, often among dunes and normally on the down-wind slope of a dune. Plants found growing in the vicinity include sea oats (Uniola paniculata), bluestem grass (Andropogon), saltgrass (Distichlis), fringe-rushes (Fimbristylis), sunflowers (Helianthus) and croton (Croton). In sparse mesquite (Prosopis) savannah in Texas it is associated with wiregrasses (Aristida), hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta) and hooded windmill grass (Chloris cucullata), as well as prickly pear (Opuntia).[5]

Status

[edit]

The population trend of the Gulf Coast kangaroo rat appears to be steady and no particular threats have been identified. In suitable habitat it is quite common and the IUCN has listed it as being of "least concern".[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Cassola, F. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Dipodomys compactus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T6685A115083122. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T6685A22228198.en. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  2. ^ True, Frederick W. (1889). "Description of Geomys personatus and Dipodomys compactus, two new species of rodents from Padre Island, Texas". Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 11 (699): 159–160. doi:10.5479/si.00963801.699.159.
  3. ^ Patton, J.L. (2005). "Family Heteromyidae". 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. 845. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  4. ^ Alexander, L. F.; Riddle, B. R. (2005). "Phylogenetics of the New World rodent family Heteromyidae". Journal of Mammalogy. 86 (2): 366–379. doi:10.1644/ber-120.1. S2CID 7246837.
  5. ^ a b c Baumgardner, George D. (1991). "Dipodomys compactus". Mammalian Species (369): 1–4. doi:10.2307/3504093. JSTOR 3504093.
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