Namaqua Dune Mole Rat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Namaqua Dune Mole Rat
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Bathyergidae
Genus: Bathyergus
Species: B. janetta
Binomial name
Bathyergus janetta
Thomas & Schwann, 1904

The Namaqua Dune Mole Rat (Bathyergus janetta) is a species of rodent in the Bathyergidae family. It is found in Namibia and South Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, caves, and sandy shores. The IUCN assessment states that :

Although the extent of occurrence is less than 20,000 km², and the potential impact of diamond mining remains to be quantified, at present there is no reason to believe that the species is declining, and its presence in areas entirely restricted to public access (and with extremely high protection) suggest it should be Least Concern.

[edit] References

  • Maree, S., Faulkes, C. & Griffin, M. 2004. Bathyergus janetta. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 July 2007.
  • Woods, C. A. and C. W. Kilpatrick. 2005. Hystricognathi. Pp 1538-1600 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.