8.

Qinling Zokor

Eospalax rufescens

French: Zokor roux / German: Qin-Ling-Blindmull / Spanish: Zocor de Qinling

Taxonomy. Myotalpa rufescens J. A. Allen, 1909,

Taipai Shan, southern Shensi, China.

G. M. Allen in 1940 reluctantly treated E. rufescens as synonymous with E. fontanierii cansus based on limited and incomplete material. Fospalax rufescens has been treated as conspecific with E. fontanieru, E. cansus, or E. bailey: (under the older name rufescens), but it had rarely been treated as a distinct species in its own right until recently. Various studies support distinctiveness of E. rufescens among species of Fospalax based on mtDNA, cranial morphology, molar shape, and hair morphology. Molecular data weakly suggest a close relationship to E. smithii or E. baileyr, but a sister relationship with E. cansus has also been suggested. Additional research is needed to assessits position within the genus Fospalax. Monotypic.

Distribution. Qin Mts in S Gansu, S Shaanxi, and N Sichuan (C China).

Descriptive notes. Head-body c.186 mm, tail ¢.33 mm. No specific data available for body weight. The Qinling Zokoris dark gray to rufescent brown. Tail is brownish white and well-furred. Hindfeet are also well-furred. Nasals are long and slightly trapezoidal in shape, and incisive foramina extend well into maxilla. M? lacks a second re-entrant fold.

Habitat. Grassy habitat and cropland at elevations above 2000 m in Qin Mountains.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Qinling Zokor prefers to construct burrows in soft soils with few rocks on sunny slopes with sparse shrubs.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List. Classified as data deficient on the 2016 China Red List, where it is treated as a distinct species. The Qinling Zokor seems to benefit from an intermediate level of human disturbance such as cleared land near highways. It is an agricultural pest.

Bibliography. Allen, G.M. (1940), Allen, J.A. (1909), Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1951), Fan Naichang & Shi Yinzhu (1982), He Ya et al. (2012), Jiang Zhigang et al. (2016), Li Baoguo & Chen Fuguan (1989), Lu Qingbin et al. (2011), Musser & Carleton (2005), Norris et al. (2004), Smith & Johnston (2008a), Song (1986), Su Junhu et al. (2014), Wang Yingxiang (2003), Wu Panwen et al. (2007), Zhou Caiguan & Zhou Kaiya (2008).