A Study of Small Mammals Inhabiting Pistachio Gardens of Kerman Province, Southeast Iran
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BIHAREAN BIOLOGIST 7 (1): pp.13-19 ©Biharean Biologist, Oradea, Romania, 2013 Article No.: 131102 http://biozoojournals.3x.ro/bihbiol/index.html A study of small mammals inhabiting pistachio gardens of Kerman Province, Southeast Iran Seyed Massoud MADJDZADEH1,* and Haji Mohammad TAKALLOOZADEH1,2 1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman 76169-14111, Iran. E-mail: [email protected] 2. Department of Plant protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman 76169-14111, Iran. E-mail: [email protected] *Corresponding author, S.M. Madjdzadeh, E-mail: [email protected] Received: 21. April 2012 / Accepted: 26. February 2013 / Available online: 3. March 2013 / Printed: June 2013 Abstract. This study was performed in order to indentify the rodent fauna inhabiting pistachio gardens in Kerman Province, Southeast Iran. In this order we used live trapping method for the sampling of rodents. In total, 105 rodent specimens were collected. The specimens were studied in respect to their morphological, cranial and external characteristics. The results showed that six species belonging to five genera of rodents and one species of lagomorpha occur in this region. The identified samples were as fallow: Cricetulus migratorius, Mus musculus, Nesokia indica, Meriones persicus, Meriones libycus, Tatera indica, and Ochotona rufescenc. Mus musculus and Cricetulus migratorius had maximum and minimum abundance respectively. Morphological and morphometric characteristics of the identified species were investigated. Key words: Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Pistachio gardens, Kerman Province, Iran. Introduction some rodents in the agricultural areas of Southern parts of Kerman Province (Missone 1990). To date no such studies Rodents constitute one of the largest orders of mammals, are carried out in agricultural areas such as pistachio gar- which composed of about 29 families, 443 genera and 2277 dens in Kerman Province. The purpose of this study was to species in the world (Wilson & Reeder 2005). Some 42% of all introduce the small mammals that inhabit pistachio gardens mammal species are classified as rodents. This group has of Kerman Province and to determine their morphological worldwide distribution and is found in all habitats on earth. and morphometric characteristics. Rodents are of great importance in our country since they are among the most important agricultural pests after in- Material and Methods sects. They also play a pivotal role in nutrient cycling and water flows in many ecosystems and so the non-pest species Fieldwork was carried out between September 2007 and February need to be protected. Rodents have three major impacts. The 2009 in pistachio gardens of Kerman Province located in Southeast first is the substantial damage they can cause at any stage of Iran and a total of 105 specimens were collected from 9 loclities the growing crop. The second is the losses they cause post- (Fig.1). Specimens were collected using various live and snap traps. harvest to stored grain and vegetables. The third, and often The traps were placed at animal’s paths before sunset and then they overlooked, impact is on the health of smallholder farmers – were checked the next day. Different baits were used such as puffy snacks, dates, oil bread and cucumber (Deblase & Martin 1975, Rus- rodents are carriers of at least 20 severely debilitating human sell, 2003). The following standard external measurements (in mm) diseases (Mills 1999, Meerburg et al. 2009). Lay (1967) pub- were taken: tail length (T); Head and body length (HB); hind foot lished a list of 126 mammal species of Iran including distri- length (HF) and ear length (EL). Sixteen cranial and dental meas- bution, habitat and their systematic status. Etemad (1978) urements (in mm) were used including: Condylobasal length (CBL) provided descriptions and identification keys for Iranian ro- from the occipital condyles to the anterior edge of incisor; length of dents as well as their distribution map. A recent checklist of the nasals (LN); occipitonasal length (OL); width of tympanic bullae mammalian fauna of Iran was provided by Karami et al. (WB); length of tympanic bullae (LB); auditory meatus diameter (AMD); length of mandible (LM); height of mandible (HM); width of (2008) who presented a list of 193 species from different mandible (WM); width of zygomatic arch (WZ); Width of palatine parts of Iran from which rodents constitute 73 species. Ziaie (WP); width of braincase (WBC); length of diastema (LD); length of (1996) published a field guide to the mammals of Iran. There anterior palatine foramina (LAPF); upper cheek teeth (UCT); lower is little English published information on the rodents of cheek teeth (LCT); height of skull (HS); width of rostrum (WR); in- Southeastern Iran and there in no clear knowledge of the terorbital constriction (IC); diameter of orbit (DO). All measurements number of species and their systematic status in this region. were made using digital Calipers accurate to 0.05 mm. The speci- However some morphological and molecular studies have mens were skinned, stuffed and prepared as conventional museum type. The samples are deposited in Biology Department, Faculty of been carried out in other parts of Iran (Gharkheloo & Kivanç Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran. 2003, Gharkheloo 2006, Yiğit et al. 2006, Darvish et al. 2006a,b,c, Darvish et al. 2008, Kryštufek & Hutterer 2006, Mirshamsi et al. 2007, Rajabi-maham et al. 2008, Siahsarvie et Results al. 2012, Ashrafzadeh et al. 2012), there are a few published information on morphological and morphometric character- The result of identification of collected specimens based on istics of rodents in South and Southern areas of Iran espe- external and cranial characteristics showed that six species cially in Kerman Province (Madjdzadeh 2012, Ashrafzadeh belonging to five genera of rodents and one species belong- et al. 2007, Khajeh & Meshkani 2010, Ashrafzadeh et al. ing to Lagomorpha occur in pistachio gardens of this region. 2012). There are a few scattered reports on the occurrence of The identified species are as follow: 14 Madjdzadeh, S.M. & Takalloozadeh, H.M. formly dark pink-grey in colour. The dorsal parts of body are pale grayish-brown with the fur relatively dense and soft. The belly fur tends to be grayish-white, varying to pure white. The muzzle is relatively sharp pointed. Females gen- erally have five or six pairs of mammae. They had the head and body averaging 77.4mm (range 48-99mm) with the tail averaging 90 mm (range 57-109mm), the hind foot averaging 18 mm (range 15-22 mm), and the ear 14.2mm (range 11- 18mm). Cranial characters: Upper incisors have a notch or step near the tip which is a polymorphic character. The descrip- tive statistics of external and cranial measurements are given in Table 2. Nesokia indica (Gray, 1830) Collection sites: We collected N. indica in pistachio gardens in Ravar (Yusuf Abad, Roupas) and Rayen (Bahram Jerd, Deh Malek and Godal) Counties. In total 18 specimens of N. indica were trapped in this study. External characters: The mussel is short and blunt, and ears are small and rounded. Tail is shorter than the length of body. Colour of dorsal part of body with various shades of brownish ochre and earth tones, ventral part of body is whit- ish. They had the head and body averaging 157.2mm (range 96-205mm), with the tail averaging 112.4mm (range 47- 146mm), the hind foot averaging 36.5mm (range22-47) and the ear16.1mm (range 10-20mm). Females have six to eight Figure 1. Map of Southeastern Iran (Kerman Province) with collecting sites for rodent species, indicated with numbers. mammae. Cranial characters: Skull is high and broad with develop- ing crests. Incisive foraminae short. Bony palate narrow, Order Rodentia with deep palatine grooves. Upper incisors massive and large, broader at the base than the nasals. Molars large and Family Cricetidae their occlusal surface are flat, consisting of narrow trans- Subfamily Cricetinae verse loops (3loops on the first molar and 2 on the follow- ing). Each loop of molars forms a transverse, oblong, oral Cricetulus migratorius (Pallas, 1773) enamel with a flat surface and weak marked enamel tuber- Collection sites: We captured four specimens of C. migrato- cles in each loop are present only in newborn individuals. rius in pistachio gardens of Kerman, Ravar, Rayen and Rabor The descriptive statistics of external and cranial meas- Counties. urements are given in Table 3. External characters: Body with pale grey dorsal fur. Belly fur pure white. Muzzle blunt. Tail is shorter than body Subfamily Gerbilinae (gerbils) length, slim and fully furred which is about one and a half Merinos persicus Blanford, 1875 times the length of the hind foot. Cheek pouches present. Collection sites: Specimens of Persian jird were trapped from Specimens of Kerman pistachio gardens are a slightly paler, Mahan county and surroundings (Ghantghestan, Ali Abad, more yellowish grey. Langar) and also Baghin County. Eight specimens of M. per- Cranial characters: Cheek teeth have bi-serially cuspidate sicus were collected in this study. crown. The tympanic bullae and palatal foramina are larger External characters: The dorsal fur is sandy-buff colour in comparison to C. bailwardi. The first molar in the upper with sprinkling of black-tipped hairs. The ventral pelage is row has six distinct cusps. pure white. There is a distinctive white spot above the eyes Standard external and cranial measurements are given in which distinguish this species from M. tristrami. The Persian Table 1. jird can readily be distinguished from other Merinos species Family Muridae by the hairless soles of the hind feet. Tail is markedly longer than head and body length and is densely haired throughout Subfamily Murinae with a terminal brush. Brush of tail longer than in other spe- Mus musculus L. 1786 Collection sites: We captured Mus cies and are generally dark brown which often mixed with a musculus in pistachio gardens in Kerman, Ghanatghestan, few white hairs.