Features of the Biology of the False Zokor (Myospalax aspalax, Rodentia, Spalacidae) from Eastern Transbaikalia

The features, population characteristics of reproduction, nutrition, and lifestyle of an extremely poorly studied narrow-range species of underground rodents—the false zokor ( Myospalax aspalax )—have been described on the basis of original field materials. The data were obtained within the Russian...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences 2017-12, Vol.44 (7), p.807-812
Main Author: Bazhenov, Yu. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biochemistry
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Body size
Cell Biology
Ecology
Embryos
Lead
Life Sciences
Myospalax aspalax
Rhizomes
Rodentia
Sexual dimorphism
Zoology
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Summary:The features, population characteristics of reproduction, nutrition, and lifestyle of an extremely poorly studied narrow-range species of underground rodents—the false zokor ( Myospalax aspalax )—have been described on the basis of original field materials. The data were obtained within the Russian part of the species range in Zabaikal’skii krai. The false zokor is characterized by a pronounced sexual dimorphism in body size (males are larger) and a predominance of females in the population. Mating takes place in April; at other times of the year, zokors lead a solitary lifestyle. The size of the brood is small: 3.7 embryos per breeding female. Their preferred food is bulbs and rhizomes of Allium , Thermopsis , Phragmites , and Leymus . In Eastern Transbaikalia, they are active in winter.
ISSN:1062-3590
1608-3059
DOI:10.1134/S1062359017070020