Myospalax aspalax
Creators: name: Don E. Wilson
name: Russell A. Mittermeier
name: Thomas E. Lacher, Jr
Publisher: name: Lynx Edicions
Year: 2017
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Rodentia
Spalacidae
Myospalax
Myospalax aspalax

description: 2.
Steppe Zokor
Myospalax aspalax
French: Zokor de Transbaikalie / German: Daurien-Blindmull / Spanish: Zocor de estepa
Other common names: False Zokor
Taxonomy. Mus aspalax Pallas, 1776,
Dauuria, Transbaikalia, Russia.
Member of M. myospalax species group according to G. G. Musser and M. D. Carleton in 2005 but treated as a member of the M. aspalax group in I. Ya. Pavlinov and A. A. Lissovsky in 2012. Myospalax aspalax is the sister species of M. armandii, and the two have often been historically united into the same species, M. aspalax. Morphological data and RAPD-PCR support the conclusion that M. aspalax is distinct from but closely related to M. armandii. They were united into the aspalaxsuperspecies by Pavlinov and Lissovsky in 2012. Monotypic.
Distribution. NE Mongolia and S Zabaykalsky Krai (Russia).
Descriptive notes. Head-body 166-212 mm, tail 34-65 mm; weight ¢.300 g. Male Steppe Zokors are larger (c.350 g) than females (c.250 g). They are pale glossysilvery white to gray. Some specimens have yellowish tinge. Nose area and region around eyes are pure white. Flanks are often darker, and venter is grayer. Tail and feet are sparsely furred with white hair. Young Steppe Zokors are similar in color to adults but more yellow. Diploid numberis 2n = 62.
Habitat. Steppe, meadows, or farmland and fallow fields. The Steppe Zokor also occurs along riverbanks, in grassy plains, and in forest glades. Fossil record suggests that it was once more widespread.
Food and Feeding. Steppe Zokors feed on plant matter, preferring underground roots and rhizomes. Preferred foods include Allium (Amaryllidaceae), Stellera (Thymelaeaceae), Phragmites, and Leymus (both Poaceae).
Breeding. The Steppe Zokor breeds in May-June and gives birth to a small litter of 1-3 young.
Activity patterns. Steppe Zokors are active year-round. They dig using forelimbs; incisors appear to be used only for dealing with roots.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Steppe Zokors construct burrows in rich dark soil. Burrows are complex with more than 20 m of tunnels recorded. Feeding tunnels are located close to the surface, and temporary storage chambers may be dug near these. Burrows are c.50 cm deep. Winter nests are deeper, up to 2 m. Mounds are 50-60 cm in diameter and 20-25 cm tall and are set ¢.80 cm apart. Steppe Zokorslive alone, but male and female burrow systems may connect for mating. Densities were 2 ind/ha at a site in Zabaykalsky Krai, and they can be locally abundant.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List and 2016 China Red List (assessments that include M. armandii). Steppe Zokors are found in protected areas.
Bibliography. Bazhenov (2016), Chelomina et al. (2011), Gromov & Erbajeva (1995), Jiang Zhigang etal. (2016), Lawrence (1991), Musser & Carleton (2005), Ognev (1947), Pavlenko, Tsvirka et al. (2014), Pavlinov & Lissovsky (2012), Puzachenko (2016d), Puzachenko, Pavlienko & Korablev (2009), Puzachenko, Pavlenko, Korablev & Tsvirka (2014), Schauer (1987), Shar & Lkhagvasuren (2008), Tarasov et al. (2011), Tsvirka et al. (2011).
description: Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Spalacidae, pp. 108-142 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 131, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6609100