Baluchistan Pygmy Jerboa

Baluchistan Pygmy Jerboa Temporal range: Recent
Conservation status
Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Dipodidae
Subfamily:	Cardiocraniinae
Tribe:	Salpingotini
Genus:	Salpingotulus Pavlinov, 1980
Species:	S. michaelis
Binomial name
Salpingotulus michaelis (Fitzgibbon, 1966)

The Baluchistan Pygmy Jerboa, or the Dwarf Three-toed Jerboa, (Salpingotulus michaelis) is a species of rodent in the Dipodidae family. It is the only species in the genus Salpingotulus. Adults average only 4.4cm head and body length, with the tail averaging 8cm. Adult females weigh 3.75 grams.^[2] It is endemic to Pakistan. In the 2010 Guinness World Book of Records it is tied for the smallest rodent in the world.

Distribution

This little rodent species is not found anywhere outside Pakistan. It was first discovered by J.A Anderson. It is confined to shifting sand dune desert in the Chaghi (Chagai) region of south-western Balochistan.

Habits

This nocturnal Jerboa progresses over a dry desert habitat by long hops, balancing itself on its tail while raising food to its mouth. They lives in burrows generally excavated under small bushes. They feed on wind blown seeds and succulent leaves of desert adapted vegetation. They undergo a diurnal rhythm of physiological dormancy, when their bodily functions, including respiration and blood circulation, slow down dramatically. This is known as facultative hypothermia and it enables them to survive on a diet of low nutritive value. About 2 to 4 young, blind and naked at birth, are born in the spring and summer months. No more than 2 litters a year are normally produced.

Predators

The natural enemies of this Jerboa are Leaf-nosed Viper (Eristocophis mcmahoni), Trans Caspian Monitor Lizard (Varanus caspius), and Sand Cat (Felis margarita).

References

1. ^ Jordan, M., Molur, S. & Nameer, P.O. (2008). Salpingotulus michaelis. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 15 March 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of a
2. ^ Field Guide To The Small Mammals of Pakistan, T.J Roberts, OUP. page 162

• Holden, M. E. and G. G. Musser. 2005. Family Dipodidae. Pp. 871-893 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.