Long-eared Jerboa

Taxobox
name = Long-eared Jerboa


status = EN | status_system = IUCN2.3
trend = unknown
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Rodentia
familia = Dipodidae
subfamilia = Euchoreutinae
fossil_range = Recent
subfamilia_authority = Lyon, 1901
genus = "Euchoreutes"
genus_authority = Sclater, 1891
species = "E. naso"
binomial = "Euchoreutes naso"
binomial_authority = Sclater, 1891The Long-eared Jerboa, "Euchoreutes naso", is a nocturnal mouse-like rodent with a long tail, long hind legs for jumping, and exceptionally large ears. It is distinct enough that authorities consider it to be the only member of both its genus, "Euchoreutes", and subfamily, Euchoreutinae.

It has been reported in China and in ten localities in desert habitats of Trans Altai Govi Desert and the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. A large part of the species is believed to occur in Mongolia within protected areas. Very little is known about the species.

Conservation

The Long-eared jerboa was identified as one of the top-10 "focal species" in 2007 by the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) project. [Cite news | title = Protection for 'weirdest' species | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6263331.stm | date = 2007-01-16 | accessdate = 2007-05-22 | work = BBC] EDGE identifies species that are evolutionarily distinct and need better protection to prevent extinction. The Long-eared Jerboa was placed in the top-10 along with Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew, Attenborough's Long-beaked Echidna, Hispaniolan Solenodon, Yangtze River dolphin, Slender loris, Hirola antelope, Pygmy Hippo, Bumblebee bat, and the Bactrian camel.Cite web | url = http://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/species_info.asp?id=21 | title = Hexaprotodon liberiensis | work = EDGE Species | accessdate = 2007-07-31]

In 2007 Zoological Society of London EDGE of Existence Programme sent a researcher to study human impact on its environment. The study returned with video footage that been noted as the "first time" the creature has been "recorded on camera" [http://www.edgeofexistence.org/edgeblog/?p=213] . This has helped to start a campaign to protect them. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7130484.stm] .]

References

*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.
* Database entry includes justification for why this species is endangered

External links

* [http://www.edgeofexistence.org/conservation/long_eared_jerboa.asp EDGE: Evolutionarily Distinct & Globally Endangered]
* BBC News story: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7130484.stm Mysterious mammal caught on film]
* Picture of Long-eared Jerboa [http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44284000/jpg/_44284741_jerboa_416203.jpgFrom: Mysterious mammal caught on film]