The Euphrates jerboa (Scarturus euphraticus) is a rodent of the family Dipodidae and genus Scarturus. They are characteristically known as hopping rodents. They have been found in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, and also occurs very marginally in southeastern Turkey.Arslan, Atilla. "C-banding and Ag-NOR Distribution Patterns in Euphrates Jerboa, Allactaga Eupharatica." Mammalia Winter 76.4 (2012): 435. ArticleReach. Web. 17 Sept. 2013. The Euphrates jerboa's natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, shrubland, and hot deserts.Kryštufek, B. "Allactaga Euphratica." IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. N.p., 2008. Web. 01 Oct. 2013. <http://iucnredlist.org/details/854/0>.
Description
Similar to the other jerboas in the genera Allactaga and Scarturus, Euphrates jerboas are small hopping rodents of desert regions and have large ears and a long tail. The tail assists and serves as support when the jerboa is standing upright.Kirmiz, John P. Adaptation to Desert Environment; A Study on the Jerboa, Rat and Man. London: Butterworths, 1962. 17. Print. They have "long hind feet and short forelegs, and always walk upright".Lagassé, Paul. "Jerboa." The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. New York: Columbia UP, 2000. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 Oct. 2013. The forelimbs of the Euphrates jerboa serve as a pair of hands for feeding, grooming, etc.Kirmiz, John P. Adaptation to Desert Environment; A Study on the Jerboa, Rat and Man. London: Butterworths, 1962. 29. Print. The male Euphrates jerboa is usually larger in size and weight in comparison to the female.Kirmiz, John P. Adaptation to Desert Environment; A Study on the Jerboa, Rat and Man. London: Butterworths, 1962. 19. Print.
Reproduction
The Euphrates jerboa reproductive activity depends on the seasons. Females may give birth to up to nine young. In Turkey, breeding season spans from March to July. In Iraq, breeding season ranges from February to May. It is possible for the female to have three litters per year.Kryštufek, B. "Allactaga Euphratica." IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. N.p., 2008. Web. 01 Oct. 2013. <http://iucnredlist.org/details/854/0>. The Euphrates jerboa is born an average weight of 2.74 grams.Ercüment, Colak. "Ecology and Biology of Allactaga Elater, Allactaga Euphratica and Allactaga Williamsi (Rodentia: Dipodidae) in Turkey." Tr. J. of Zoology (1996): 105.Tr. J. of Zoology. Web. 3 Oct. 2013. <http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/issues/zoo-98-22-2/zoo-22-2-3-97042.pdf >.
Conservation status
The Euphrates jerboa was listed on the Least Concern List by the IUCN Red List. Gallery
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