Gulf Coast kangaroo rat: Difference between revisions
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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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 |
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 |volume=369 |pages=1–4 |doi=10.2307/3504093 |jstor=3504093 }}</ref> |
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==Distribution== |
==Distribution== |
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==Ecology== |
==Ecology== |
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The Gulf Coast kangaroo rat lives in sparsely-vegetated locations with sandy soils, often among dunes and normally on the down-wind slope. Plants found growing in the vicinity include [[Uniola paniculata|sea oats]] (''Uniola paniculata''), [[Andropogon|bluestem grass]] (''Andropogon'') |
The Gulf Coast kangaroo rat lives in sparsely-vegetated locations with sandy soils, often among dunes and normally on the down-wind slope. 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/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Mammals of Mexico]] |
[[Category:Mammals of Mexico]] |
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[[Category:Animals described in 1889]] |
[[Category:Animals described in 1889]] |
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{{Heteromyidae-stub}} |
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Revision as of 11:16, 30 August 2014
| Gulf Coast kangaroo rat | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | D. compactus
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| Binomial name | |
| Dipodomys compactus True, 1889
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The Gulf Coast kangaroo rat (Dipodomys compactus) is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae found in Mexico and the United States.[2] Its appearance and ecology are very similar to its putative sister-species, Ord's kangaroo rat.[3]
Description
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.[4]
Distribution
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][4]
Ecology
The Gulf Coast kangaroo rat lives in sparsely-vegetated locations with sandy soils, often among dunes and normally on the down-wind slope. 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).[4]
References
- ^ a b Template:IUCN2008
- ^ 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.
- ^ Alexander, L.F.; B.R. Riddle (2005). "Phylogenetics of the New World rodent family Heteromyidae". Journal of Mammalogy. 86 (2): 366–379. doi:10.1644/ber-120.1.
- ^ a b c Baumgardner, George D. (1991). "Dipodomys compactus". Mammalian Species. 369: 1–4. doi:10.2307/3504093. JSTOR 3504093.