Gharaibeh, B. M. 1997. Systematics, distribution, and zoogeography of mammals of Tunisia. Thesis: 1-369. Keywords: 1TN/Acinonyx jubatus/caracal/Caracal caracal/cheetah/distribution/Felis margarita/Felis silvestris/Felis silvestris lybica/leopard/Leptailurus serval/lion/mammals/Panthera leo/Panthera pardus/records/sand cat/serval/systematics/taxonomy/wildcat/zoogeography Abstract: The taxonomic identity of each species of mammals that occurs in the Republic of Tunisia, North Africa has been determined to the subspecific level. History of names was followed and descriptions of types were studied to better provide opinions on the nomenclamre and minimize the confusion existing in the literature concerning the taxonomic identity of many Tunisian species. Keys to distinguish related taxa were constructed and maps depicting the distribution of species within the borders of Tunisia and in the whole North African region were drawn. These maps show original records obtained during this study as well records reported in the literature. Furthermore, the available natural history information on the Tunisian mammal fauna and background information on the vegetation, rainfall, topography, and land forms of the country were presented. Chromosomal G-band data for Merlones shawl from Tunisia, hitherto unavailable, was used to reexamine proposed chromosomal homologies and update the phylogenetic tree of Family Gerbillidae. G-banded chromosomal complement for Jaculus orlentalls was reported. Notable differences in pelage color were seen between populations of the North African elephant shrew, Elephantulus rozetl in northern and southern Tunisia. However, no disjunction was seen in morphometric measurements analyzed using principal components analysis (PCA). Differences in pelage color between 5 populations of Gerblllus campestrls are discussed. Two populations of this gerbil, one on the Island of Djerba and the other around Medenine deserve systematic studies using molecular data or multivariate analyses of morphometric measurements. Differences in pelage color, mandibular foramina number, color of foot pad hair and other characters between 2 populations of Jaculus jaculus were also noted and further investigation of the taxonomic status recommended. Zoogeographical analyses of the mammalian faunal elements in Tunisia and the whole area were made. Two groups of bats were recognized. Bat fauna that invaded Tunisia from the north, and one that invaded from the south. Land mammals were in three groups: strictly Mediterranean zone, widely-distributed Mediterranean, and Saharan mammals. Species richness in quadrates 1° latimde X 1° longitude spanning Tunisia was discussed. The species richness provided evidence to areas of high biodiversity. Areas that deserve conservation are Djebel Zaghouan, Ghardimaou, Tamerza- Kasserine, and Dahar-Djeffara plain. Finally, conclusions and recommendations for future mammalian studies in the area were suggested. SYSTEMATICS, DISTRIBUTION, AND ZOOGEOGRAPHY OF MAMMALS OF TUNISIA by BURHAN M. GHARAIBEH, B.S., M.S. A DISSERTATION IN BIOLOGY Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Texas Tech University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved Accepted December, 1997 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Between 1 September 1972 and 30 June 1975, field work was conducted by a team of researchers lead by Dr. E. Lendell Cockrum of the University of Arizona (Tucson) and Dr. Robert Baker of Texas Tech University (Lubbock) to study the mammals of Tunisia. The project was co-sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C.) and the Tunisian Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment (TAPNE). This cooperation made use of Public Law 480 funds. Most financial support for the project was provided by that contract. Significant indirect support in the form of supplies, equipment and investigators salaries were provided by the University of Arizona, the United State National Museum and the Natural Science Research Laboratory (NSRL), Museum of Texas Tech University. Part of the collection resulting from this field work was deposited at TAPNE and the other part (nearly 2,500 specimens of small manmials) in the Recent collection of mammals, NSRL. This study was to a large extent an examination of the latter collection. Drs. E. Lendell Cockrum, Robert Baker, Pamela Vaughan, Thomas Vaughan, Bruce Hayward, Brent Davis, Hedia Baccar, Alya Binous, Robert Jordan, and others have participated in the field work done in Tunisia at different times between 1972-1975. Tom and Pam Vaughan were the two investigators working for Dr. Cockrum who spent most of this period in Tunisia pursuing this project. They were assisted by Mr. Abdul Fatah Ben Ismail and Mr. Dridi Khadhari. This report could not have been possible without the many pages of unpublished keys, unpublished notes, measurements, photographs of types, literature, maps and other material that Dr. Cockrum agreed to let me use. Further, Dr. Cockrum's discussions on North African mammals and encouragement were ii inspiring, motivating, and very informative. I cannot thank him enough for his generosity and kindness. Equally useful were the field catalogs, journals, and photos of habitats, that Pamela and Tom Vaughan have taken during their presence in Tunisia. I would like to acknowledge their efforts and contribution and thank them sincerely. Three major Tunisian organizations have cooperated with the principal investigators and their crews during their presence in Tunisia and have contributed significantly to the success of this project. The Tunisian Association for the Protection of Nature and Environment, the Faculty of Agronomy at the Tunisian National Instimte for Agriculture Research (Institut National Recherche Agricole Tunisien; INRAT), and the Mediterranean Marine Sorting Center (MMSC). The director of Projet des Mammiferes, Mr. Zakaria Ben Mustapha was a great help to the American team. His contribution is also acknowledged. In May-July, 1996,1 did further studies of the Tunisian mammalian fauna. This was supported by a grant from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. I would like to thank Dr. Duane A. Schlitter for helping me obtain those funds. During my stay in Tunisia, I was a guest at the Tunisian Institute for Veterinary Research (Institut de la Recherche Veterinaire de Tunisie; IRVT). I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for the help and hospitality of Dr. Khalid El Hicheri and Dr. Saleh Hamami. Mr. Abdullah El Khidri was a faithful assistant for the two months I stayed in Tunisia. Permits to collect in Tunisia have been provided by the Department of Forests (Direction Generale des Foret; DGF), Ministry of Agriculture via the Tunisian Embassy in Washington, D.C. I wish to thank all those that were involved in particular, Mr. Ben Mahmoud, Mr. Ridha Fekih Salem and Mr. Abdul Hameed Karim. ni During my stay at Texas Tech University, I was sponsored in part b\ Jordan University of Science and Technology. Irbid, Jordan. I would like to extend my appreciation for that. I was also given various teaching assistantships at the Department of Biological Sciences and a research assistantship by NSRL. The help of Drs. John Bums, Clyde Jones, and Richard Strauss are acknowledged. My brother Numan also paid some of my tuition towards the end. Without the above mentioned financial help, this job would have been impossible. My family in Jordan (mother, father, sisters, brothers and other Gharaibehs) and Mexico (my wife and other Gonzalez's) thought I could do this and always gave me their love, support, encouragement, and sometimes words of wisdom. I honestly do not think I would have finished this job without their support. Further, many friends at TTU had to listen to my ups of downs and I thank them for that: W. Al Gharaibeh, R. Monk, J. Goetze and many others. Last but not least, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for my graduate committee for all their help. Dr. Robert Baker, my mentor and academic advisor, suggested the project, believed I could do it, and did not spare any resources through his laboratory or through NSRL. Furthermore, he was always grand in the way he dealt with his graduate students and that by itself was a great help during my stay in his laboratory. IV TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ii ABSTRACT ix LIST OF TABLES xi LIST OF FIGURES xii CHAPTERS I. INTRODUCTION 1 Review of Literature 1 Objectives 5 n. MATERIALS AND METHODS 7 Methods 7 Data Analyses 9 Study Area 12 Treatment 21 List of Abbreviations 23 III. SPECIES ACCOUNTS 25 ORDER INSECnVORA 25 Family Erinaceidae 25 Genus Atelerix 26 Genus Paraechinus 32 Family Soricidae 35 Genus Suncus 36 Genus Crocidura 39 ORDER CHIROPTERA 46 Family Rhinopomatidae 47 V Genus Rhinopoma 47 Family Rhinolophidae 51 Genus Rhinolophus 51 Genus AseIlia 69 Family Vespertilionidae 72 Genus Myotis 73 Genus Eptesicus 82 Genus Pipistrellus 84 Genus Otonycteris 95 Genus Pie actus 98 Genus Miniopterus 101 Family Molossidae 104 Genus Tadarida 104 ORDER CARMVORA 108 Family Canidae 109 Genus Cants 110 Genus Vulpes 114 Genus Fennecus 119 Family Mustelidae 122 Genus Ictonyx 122 Genus Mustela 125 Genus Lutra 127 Family Viverridae 130 Genus Genetta 130 Family Herpestidae 133 Genus Herpestes 133 vi Family Hyaenidae 136 Genus Hyaena 136 Family Felidae 139 Genus Fells 141 Genus Panthera 151 Genus Aclnonyx 155 ORDER ARTIODACTYLA 159 Family Suidae 159 Genus Sus 159 Family Cervidae 163 Genus Cervus 163 Family Bovidae 167 Genus Addax 168 Genus Alcelaphus 171 Genus Oryx 175