Dipodomys californicus Merriam 1890
Creators: name: Don E. Wilson
name: Thomas E. Lacher, Jr
name: Russell A. Mittermeier
Publisher: name: Lynx Edicions
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Rodentia
Heteromyidae
Dipodomys
Dipodomys californicus

description: 57.
California Kangaroo Rat
Dipodomys californicus
French: Rat-kangourou de Californie / German: Kalifornien-Kangururatte / Spanish: Rata canguro de California
Taxonomy. Dipodomys californicus Merriam, 1890,
Ukiah, Mendocino Co., California, USA.
Based on molecular sequence analyses, D. californicus is basal to and outside of the heermanni and agilis species groups; it was formerly included as three subspecies of D. heermanni. Differences in chromosomal diploid number between the fourtoed D. californicus (2n = 52) and the five-toed D. heermanni (2n = 64) led to suggestions that the two were specifically distinct and that D. californicus might be closely related to D. nitratoides (2n = 54) and D. merriami (2n = 52)—both have four toes. Biochemical evidence clearly supported karyotypic evidence for specific distinction of D. californicus, but it demonstrated that morphological similarities between it and the latter two species are merely convergent. Three subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution. D.c.californicusMerriam,1890—WUSA(NoftheSacramento-SanJoaquinEstuarysystemintheCoastMtsofNCaliforniatoSOregonandontheModocPlateautotheCalifornia—Nevadaborder).
D.c.eximiusGrinnell,1919—WUSA(restrictedtovicinityofMarysvilleButtesinNCalifornia),butmaybeextinct.
D. c. saxatilis Grinnell & Linsdale, 1929 — W USA (foothills on E edge of the Sacramento Valley, N California).
Descriptive notes. Head—body 108-123 mm, tail 152-217 mm, ear mean 15 mm, hindfoot 39-47 mm; weight 57-85 g. Male California Kangaroo Rats are slightly larger than females. This is a medium-sized, dark-colored kangaroo rat with large ears, four toes on hindfeet (rarely five, including small claw on side of hindfoot), broad face, and relatively small auditory bullae. Upper parts are dark reddish brown; tail is bicolored with broad, dark dorsal and ventral stripes and a white tuft at the tip. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 52 and FN = 96. Compared with other kangaroo rats in the same or adjacent areas, the California Kangaroo Rat is distinguished by the combination of four toes on hindfoot, medium size, dark color, and small auditory bullae. It most resembles the Texas Kangaroo Rat (D. elator), a geographically and phyletically distant relative.
Habitat. Open areas within chaparral and other scrub communities at elevations up to ¢.1300 m. Burrows of California Kangaroo Rats are made in well-drained soils, at bases of shrubs, near old stumps, and under boulders. They are known to use abandoned burrows of ground squirrels (Callospermophilus, Otospermophilus, and Urocitellus)
Food and Feeding. Diet of the California Kangaroo Rat contains seeds of forbs, grasses, and shrubs, including manzanita (Arctostaphylos Ericaceae), buckthorn (Ceanothus, Rhamnaceae), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus, Asteraceae), lupines (Lupinus, Fabaceae), and introduced bur-clover (Medicago hispida, Fabaceae) and wild oats (Avena, Poaceae). Small tubers, green vegetation, and probably insects are also eaten.
Breeding. Breeding season of the California Kangaroo Rat occurs in February—September, with greatest activity in February—-April. Two litters may be produced each year: a litter of c.3 young in spring and c.2 young in summer or autumn.
Activity patterns. The California Kangaroo Rat may be active on rainy nights and on snow at temperatures as low as —11°C. Individuals have been observed pushing mud out of their burrows after heavy rains.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Bibliography. Alexander & Riddle (2005), Best (1993a), Eisenberg (1963, 1993), Hafner et al. (2007), Hall (1981), Ingles (1954), Jameson & Peeters (1988), Jones (1993), Kelt (1988b, 1999a), Linzey & NatureServe (Hammerson) (2008b), Patton & Rogers (1993), Patton et al. (1976), Williams et al. (1993).
description: Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Heteromyidae, pp. 170-233 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 228, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6611160