Spalax antiquus
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
Spalax
Spalax antiquus

description: 19.
Mehely’s Blind Mole-rat
Spalax antiquus
French: Spalax de Méhely / German: Mehely-Blindmaus / Spanish: Rata topo ciega de Méhely
Taxonomy. Spalax graecus antiguus Méhely, 1909,
near Apahida, Cluj County, Romania; Nadaselu, Cluj County, Romania; Lechinta de Mures near Targu Mures, Mures County, Romania; near Gherla, Cluj County, Romania; and near Someseni, Cluj County, Romania.
L. Méhely in 1909 based his description on multiple fragmentary archaeological specimens. He designated twelve syntypes from five different localities, and no one has subsequently designated a lectotype or otherwise restricted the type locality. Consequently, the type locality encompasses the place of origin of all syntypes in accordance with Article 73.2.3 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature until a lectotype is designated. Spalax antiquus is a member of the S. graecus species group that is characterized by elongated nasal bones and higher position ofsella externa of the mandible relative to sella interna, and it is supported by mitochondrial data. Spalax antiguus was traditionally united with S. graecus and S. istricus into a single species (S. graecus). Spalax antiquus was usually treated as a synonym of S. graecus or a synonym of the subspecies S. g. ustricus. In an analysis of mtDNA A. Németh and colleagues in 2013 demonstrated that S. graecus and S. antiquus exhibited considerable genetic divergence that was comparable to species-level differences among other species of Spalax. They also demonstrated clear morphological differences among S. graecus, S. antiquus, and S. istricus that led them to conclude that these represented three distinct species. Monotypic.
Distribution. C Romania.
Descriptive notes. There are no specific measurements available. Mehely’s Blind Molerat has soft and moderately long fur. Most of dorsal surface is buff, and venter and head are grayish, with some reddish hues throughout. Diploid numberis 2n = 62.
Habitat. Grassy plains of the Carpathian Basin in Transylvania.
Food and Feeding. No information.
Breeding. No information.
Activity patterns. No information.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Confirmed predators of Mehely’s Blind Mole-rat include the rough-legged buzzard (Buteo lagopus), the hooded crow (Corvus corone cornix), and domestic dog.
Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List. G. Csorba and colleagues in 2015 argued that Mehely’s Blind Mole-rat should be ranked as endangered. Its extent of occurrence and habitat quality are predicted to decline over the next ten years, its area of occupancy is less than 500 km? and it is known to exist in no more than five locations. Four locations where it is present are partly protected. Mehely’s Blind Mole-rat was once more common in the vast grasslands of the Carpathian basin, but this habitat was first converted to pasture and, more recently, to intensive modern agriculture and urbanized landscapes.
Bibliography. Chisamera et al. (2014), Csorba et al. (2015), Hadid et al. (2012), KryStufek (1999a), Méhely (1909), Musser & Carleton (2005), Németh, Hegyeli et al. (2016), Németh, Homonnay et al. (2013), Topachevskii (1969), Zagorodnyuk & Coroiu (2008).
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 pages 137-138, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6609100