Eremodipus

Abstract: The rodents are an integral component of the desert biogeocenose. Soviet zoologists have been conducting considerable research work on the rodent fauna of the U.S.S.R. for the last several decades. In this communication, we have made an attempt to collate the available information on the ecology of two groups of rodents of the Russian deserts, viz., the Jerboas and the Gerbils. Under every rodent species, as far as possible, we have included its distributional range, habitat preference, activity pattern, association and interaction with other rodent species, food, various aspects of reproduction, hibernation and predators. The species** which are included in this Chapter are: Family DIPODIDAE Subfamily Gardiocraniinae Cardiocranius paradoxus Salpingotus crassicauda Subfamily Allactaginae Allactaga euphratica A. elater A. sibirica A. major A. severtzovi A. bobrinskii Alactagulus pygmaeus Pygeretmus platyurus Subfamily Dipodinae Dipus sagitta Scirtopoda telum Jaculus turcmenicus Eremodipus lichtensteini Paradipus ctenodactylus Family MURIDAE Subfamily Gerbillinae Meriones persicus M. vinogradovi M. tamariscinus M. blackleri M. unguiculatus M. meridianus M. libycus M. crassus zarudnyi Rhombomys opimus The arid zone of the U.S.S.R.