The contribution to craniometric variation and taxonomy of jirds from the group 'shawi-grandis' of the genus Meriones (Gerbilidae)

摘要

The date obtained by the discriminant analysis of 193 specimens from 35 localities covering the whole range of "shawi-grandis" from the genus Meriones Illiger are compared in terms 14 skull characteristics. They allow one to suppose a species status of M. shavi Duvrnoy and M. grandis Cabrera. The last two species differ in size and proportions of skulls. Their ranges widely overlap in Tunisia, Algeria and eastern Morocco. In two localities specimens of both species were found.