The Zoochat Photographic Guide to Rodents: part one

Xerospermophilus
Four species, two of which are represented in the Zoochat galleries.

Taxonomic note: formerly (and still by various authors) placed under Spermophilus as a subgenus.


Mohave Ground Squirrel Xerospermophilus mohavensis
Monotypic


There are no photos of this species in the Zoochat galleries.


Perote Ground Squirrel Xerospermophilus perotensis
Monotypic. May be better treated as a subspecies of X. spilosoma.


There are no photos of this species in the Zoochat galleries.


Spotted Ground Squirrel Xerospermophilus spilosoma
Thirteen subspecies: altiplanensis, ammophilus, annectens, bavicorensis, cabrerai, canescens, cryptospilotus, marginatus, obsoletus, oricolus, pallescens, pratensis, spilosoma


Photo by @Giant Eland in the wild, New Mexico (USA) (subspecies canescens)

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spotted ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus spilosoma) - ZooChat


Round-tailed Ground Squirrel Xerospermophilus tereticaudus
Four subspecies: apricus, chlorus, neglectus, tereticaudus


Photo by @Giant Eland at Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium, USA (unknown subspecies)

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round-tailed ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus tereticaudus) | ZooChat


Photo by @Arizona Docent in the wild, Arizona (USA) (subspecies neglectus)

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Round-tailed ground squirrel family - ZooChat
 
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The squirrel family Sciuridae has now been completed. There are about 300 species listed in this thread, in sixty genera, of which 148 species from 40 genera are currently represented by photographs - a greater percentage than I would have anticipated.


There is some variation in how well different groups of squirrels are represented though. African and Neotropical species fared much worse than any others except the flying squirrels (which are all nocturnal).


Going through the subfamilies and tribes:

*Ratufinae (Asian giant squirrels) - all four species are depicted in the thread.

*Sciurillinae (Neotropical Pigmy Squirrel) - one species, not depicted here.

*Sciurinae:

Sciurini (tree squirrels) - of c.38 species in five genera, 20 species from three genera are depicted here.

Pteromyini (flying squirrels) - of c.50 species in 15 genera, 20 species from eight genera are depicted here.

*Callosciurinae (Asian squirrels) - of c.70 species in 14 genera, 36 species from nine genera are depicted here.

*Xerinae:

Xerini (African ground squirrels) - of six species in three genera, four species from two genera are depicted here.

Protoxerini (African tree squirrels) - of 30 species in six genera, ten species from three genera are depicted here.

Marmotini (Holarctic ground squirrels) - of 90 species in 15 genera, 54 species from 14 genera are depicted here.
 
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The final family in the suborder Sciuromorpha (after Aplodontiidae and Sciuridae) is the dormouse family Gliridae, which contains about thirty species in nine genera.

Gliridae has in the past been more commonly included within the Myomorpha (rats and mice), but it is now considered that the "myomorph" jaw structure of dormice is convergent and that they are actually sciuromorphs. However there are also suggestions that Gliridae is paraphyletic and that some members of the family (specifically the African genus Graphiurus) belong instead in Anomaluromorpha.

The family is divided into three subfamilies - Graphiurinae (one genus: Graphiurus), Leithiinae (six genera: Chaetocauda, Dryomys, Eliomys, Muscardinus, Myomimus, Selevinia), and Gliridae (two genera: Glirulus, Glis) - but because there are so few genera in total I have listed them in the following accounts solely in alphabetical order (Chaetocauda, Dryomys, Eliomys, Glirulus, Glis, Graphiurus, Muscardinus, Myomimus, Selevinia).

There are eight species represented in the Zoochat galleries, from six genera: Dryomys, Eliomys, Glirulus, Glis, Graphiurus, Muscardinus.
 
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Chaetocauda
One species, not represented in the Zoochat galleries.


Chinese Dormouse Chaetocauda sichuanensis
Monotypic


Taxonomic note: also placed in the genus Dryomys.


A Guide to the Mammals of China by Smith and Xie (2008) notes that this species is known from only five specimens.


There are no photos of this species in the Zoochat galleries.
 
Dryomys
Three species, one of which is represented in the Zoochat galleries.


Woolly Dormouse Dryomys laniger
Monotypic


There are no photos of this species in the Zoochat galleries.


Baluchistan Forest Dormouse Dryomys niethammeri
Monotypic


There are no photos of this species in the Zoochat galleries.


Forest Dormouse Dryomys nitedula
Thirteen subspecies (although note that Wilson and Reeder's Mammal Species of the World treats it as monotypic, which seems unlikely given its huge distribution, stretching from Europe to China): angelus, aspromontis, bilkjewiczi, carpathicus, caucasicus, daghestanicus, intermedius, nitedula, ognevi, phrygius, pictus, tichomirovi, wingei


Photo by @Daniel Sörensen at Tierpark Schonebeck, Germany (unknown subspecies)

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Eurasian forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula) - ZooChat
 
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Eliomys
Three species, two of which are represented in the Zoochat galleries.

Taxonomic note: formerly all three species as currently recognised were treated as subspecies of Eliomys quercinus (and simply named Garden Dormouse). There seems to be a lot of confusion around the subspecies, with the original single species having nine or more subspecies, whereas now the three species seem to be treated as monotypic by many sources


Asian Garden Dormouse Eliomys melanurus
Perhaps monotypic after removal of the Maghreb Garden Dormouse Eliomys munbyanus.


Photo by @bongorob at Rodbaston Animal Zone, UK

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Asian Garden Dormouse Eliomys melanurus Rodbaston 2013 | ZooChat


Maghreb Garden Dormouse Eliomys munbyanus
Monotypic. Potential subspecies (otherwise synonyms) may include cyrenaicus, denticulatus, munbyanus, occidentalis, tunetae


There are no photos of this species in the Zoochat galleries.


European Garden Dormouse Eliomys quercinus
Several subspecies recognised in Europe (mostly from islands), but also commonly treated as monotypic. Subspecies may include dalmaticus, gymnesicus, liparensis, lusitanicus, ophiusae, pallidus, quercinus, sardus, superans.


Photo by @Daniel Sörensen at Tierpark Schonebeck, Germany (unknown subspecies)

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European Garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) - ZooChat
 
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Glis
One species


Taxonomic note: an alternative generic name, ruled invalid by the ICZN, is Myoxus.


Edible Dormouse Glis glis
Ten subspecies are commonly recognised (although note that Wilson and Reeder's Mammal Species of the World treats it as monotypic): argenteus, glis, italicus, melonii, minutus, orientalis, persicus, pindicus, postus, pyrenaicus


Photo by @vogelcommando of a privately-held animal (unknown subspecies)

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Edible dormouse - ZooChat
 
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Graphiurus
Fifteen species, only two of which are represented in the Zoochat galleries.

There have been many taxonomic changes within this genus, with many of the species listed below being formerly treated as subspecies of one or more other species, and there are also numerous former species now considered to be synonyms.


Photo by @vogelcommando, labelled as Graphiurus murinus but as the photo was taken at a pet-trade show I use it here simply to show the form of the genus.

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African dwarf dormouse - Graphinurus murinus | ZooChat


Kellen's Dormouse Graphiurus kelleni
Monotypic


Photo by @HOMIN96 at Plzen Zoo, Czech Republic

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Kellen's Dormouse (Graphiurus kelleni) - ZooChat


Woodland Dormouse Graphiurus murinus
Monotypic


Photo by @Maguari at the Birmingham Nature Centre, UK

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African Dormouse at Birmingham Nature Centre 28/02/10 | ZooChat



None of the remaining species in the genus Graphiurus are represented in the Zoochat galleries (all species are treated as monotypic in Wilson and Reeder's Mammal Species of the World):


Angolan African Dormouse Graphiurus angolensis

Christy's Dormouse Graphiurus christyi

Jentink's Dormouse Graphiurus crassicaudatus

Johnston's African Dormouse Graphiurus johnstoni

Lorraine's Dormouse Graphiurus lorraineus

Small-eared Dormouse Graphiurus microtis

Monard's Dormouse Graphiurus monardi

Nagtglas' African Dormouse Graphiurus nagtglasii

Spectacled Dormouse Graphiurus ocularis

Rock Dormouse Graphiurus platyops

Stone Dormouse Graphiurus rupicola

Silent Dormouse Graphiurus surdus

Verheyen's Dormouse Graphiurus walterverheyeni
 
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Myomimus
Three species, none of which are represented in the Zoochat galleries.


Masked Mouse-tailed Dormouse Myomimus personatus
Monotypic


Roach's Mouse-tailed Dormouse Myomimus roachi
Monotypic


Setzer's Mouse-tailed Dormouse Myomimus setzeri
Monotypic
 
Selevinia
One species


Desert Dormouse Selevinia betpakdalaensis
Monotypic


There are no photos of this species in the Zoochat galleries.
 
Chlidonias said:
Muscardinus
One species


Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius
Seven subspecies described, but currently seems to be treated as monotypic: abanticus, anglicus, avellanarius, niveus, pulcher, trapezius, zeus


There are no photos of this species in the Zoochat galleries.
Click to expand...

I should have a picture of a wild one somewhere, I'll dig for it...
 
Suborder ANOMALUROMORPHA


This is a very small Suborder, containing less than ten species as currently recognised (more may be named in the future from possible species complexes in the anomalures). This Suborder was formerly combined in Sciuromorpha. All species are African.


There are only two Families here, Anomaluridae (the anomalures or scaly-tailed squirrels, with seven currently-recognised species) and Pedetidae (the springhares, with just one or two species). There are suggestions that the African dormice of the genus Graphiurus are also anomaluromorphs rather than sciuromorphs.
 
ANOMALURIDAE
Anomalures or Scaly-tailed Squirrels

Seven species currently recognised, in three genera, separated between two subfamilies.


Two species are represented in the Zoochat galleries, and unless someone photographs any museum specimens I don't expect that to increase much more. I have included all the species in one post.


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Anomalurinae
One genus, Anomalurus, with four species, two of which are represented in the Zoochat galleries.



Beecroft's Scaly-tailed Squirrel Anomalurus beecrofti
Monotypic as per Wilson and Reeder's Mammal Species of the World, although the subspecies argenteus, chapini, citrinus, hervoi and schoutedeni have been variously recognised in the past. Has also been placed in its own genus, Anomalurops.


Photo by @Giant Eland in the wild, Gabon

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Beecroft's Anomalure (Anomalurus beecrofti) - ZooChat


Lord Derby's Scaly-tailed Squirrel Anomalurus derbianus
Monotypic as per Wilson and Reeder's Mammal Species of the World, although the subspecies beldeni, fortior, fraseri, imperator, jacksoni, laticeps, neavei, nigrensis, perustus and squamicaudus have been variously recognised in the past. The IUCN says that it is probably a species complex.


Photo by @Giant Eland in the wild, Uganda

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Lord Derby's anomalure or scaly-tailed squirrel (Anomalurus derbianus) - ZooChat




Pel's Scaly-tailed Squirrel Anomalurus pelii
Two subspecies: auzembergeri, pelii


Dwarf Scaly-tailed Squirrel Anomalurus pusillus
Monotypic, although batesi has been recognised in the past.


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Zenkerellinae
Two genera with three species


Idiurus
Two species


Long-eared Scaly-tailed Squirrel Idiurus macrotis
Monotypic, although cansdalei has been recognised in the past.


Pigmy Scaly-tailed Squirrel Idiurus zenkeri
Monotypic, although kivuensis has been recognised in the past (and even split as a full species, although now synonymised).


Zenkerella
One species


Cameroon Scaly-tailed Squirrel Zenkerella insignis
Monotypic
 
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PEDETIDAE
Springhares or Springhaas

One or two species in the single genus Pedetes. Typically the family has been treated as being monotypic (as Pedetes capensis) but now it is commonly split in two species which look externally similar but differ in chromosome counts and skull structure as well as physiological characteristics.



South African Springhare Pedetes capensis
Monotypic. Kingdon's Mammals of Africa (and other sources) note that nine subspecies have been recognised in the past but "their validity is uncertain".


Photo by @Giant Eland at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, USA

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South African springhaas (Pedetes capensis) 2013 | ZooChat


East African Springhare Pedetes surdaster
Monotypic. Kingdon's Mammals of Africa notes that five subspecies have been recognised.


Photo by @Newzooboy at Prague Zoo, Czech Republic

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Springhare - Prague Zoo, July 2013 | ZooChat
 
Suborder CASTORIMORPHA


Formerly combined in Sciuromorpha, this Suborder has relatively few species (about a hundred altogether) in three families. The group is almost exclusively from the Americas, with only one species being found elsewhere (the European Beaver Castor fiber). Very few species are represented in the Zoochat galleries.


Family Castoridae - beavers
Two species in one genus: Castor

Both species are represented in the Zoochat galleries.


Family Geomyidae - pocket gophers
About 35 to 40 species in six genera: Cratogeomys, Geomys, Orthogeomys, Pappogeomys, Thomomys, Zygogeomys

Only four species from two genera (Geomys and Thomomys) are represented in the Zoochat galleries.


Family Heteromyidae - kangaroo rats, kangaroo mice, pocket mice, spiny pocket mice
About sixty species in five genera: Chaetodipus, Dipodomys, Heteromys, Microdipodops, Perognathus

Only ten species from three genera (Chaetodipus, Perognathus and Dipodomys) are represented in the Zoochat galleries, and one of those only by a museum specimen.
 
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CASTORIDAE
Beavers

Two species in one genus: Castor


American Beaver Castor canadensis
Variably treated as being monotypic to having as many as twenty-four subspecies. The possible subspecies are as follows: acadicus, baileyi, belugae, caecator, canadensis, carolinensis, concisor, duchesnei, frondator, idoneus, labradorensis, leucodontus, mexicanus, michiganensis, missouriensis, pallidus, phaeus, repentinus, rostralis, sagittatus, shastensis, subauratus, taylori, texensis


Photo by @Semioptera at the Staten Island Zoo, USA (unknown subspecies)

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American Beaver | ZooChat


European Beaver Castor fiber
Eight or nine subspecies: albicus, belorussicus, birulai, fiber, galliae, orientoeuropaeus, pohlei, tuvinicus, vistulanus


Photo by @Bwassa at Highland Wildlife Park, UK (unknown subspecies)

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European Beaver @ Highland Wildlife Park; 19.10.2010 | ZooChat
 
GEOMYIDAE
Pocket Gophers

About 35 to 40 species in six genera: Cratogeomys, Geomys, Orthogeomys, Pappogeomys, Thomomys, Zygogeomys


The taxonomy of this family is incredibly complex, with species and subspecies being swapped back and forth regularly, and additionally several of the species as currently recognised are probably species complexes, so do not take any of the following treatments as definite.


Only four species from two genera (Geomys and Thomomys) are represented in the Zoochat galleries.


This photo by @Chlidonias of a taxidermy specimen at the Otago Museum (New Zealand) shows the cheek pouches for which pocket gophers were named. The specimen is labelled as being Thomomys bulbivorus but I don't know if that is accurate and so have not included it within the species photos below.

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Pocket Gopher (Thomomys sp.), Otago Museum - ZooChat
 
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Cratogeomys
Six or seven species, none of which are represented in the Zoochat galleries.


Yellow-faced Pocket Gopher Cratogeomys castanops
Eighteen subspecies: angusticeps, bullatus, castanops, clarkii, consitus, dalquesti, excelsus, hirtus, jucundus, parviceps, perexiguus, perplanus, pratensis, sordidulus, subsimus, surculus, tamaulipensis, ustulatus


Oriental Basin Pocket Gopher Cratogeomys fulvescens
Monotypic. Formerly a subspecies of C. merriami.


Smoky Pocket Gopher Cratogeomys fumosus
Up to thirteen subspecies: angustirostris, atratus, brevirostris, fumosus, gymnurus, imparilis, neglectus, planiceps, russelli, tellus, tylorhinus, zinseri, zodius. The IUCN lists it with four subspecies: angustirostris, fumosus, imparilis, tylorhinus.

Taxonomic note 1: several of these subspecies may be split as separate species: C. gymnurus (including imparilis, russelli and tellus as subspecies), C. neglectus (monotypic), C. tylorhinus (including angustirostris, atratus, brevirostris, planiceps and zodius as subspecies), and C. zinseri (monotypic). In these cases, C. fumosus would then be left as being monotypic.

Taxonomic note 2: the subspecies planiceps (formerly in C. tylorhinus before that species was combined with C. fumosus) may be split as a full species, the Volcán De Toluca Pocket Gopher.


Goldman's Pocket Gopher Cratogeomys goldmani
Seven subspecies: elibatus, goldmani, maculatus, peridoneus, planifrons, rubellus, subnubilus


Merriam's Pocket Gopher Cratogeomys merriami
Five subspecies: estor, irolonis, merriami, peraltus, saccharalis


Cofre de Perote Pocket Gopher Cratogeomys perotensis
Monotypic. Formerly a subspecies of C. merriami.
 
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