Mammals from Kurdistan, Iraq, with Description of a New Bat

Abstract

During 1954 a small collection of mammals was made by the author in the extreme north of Iraq, which forms part of Kurdistan. This is an extremely mountainous district and the mountain ranges are continuous with those of Asia Minor and Persia. The mammalian fauna is composed of animals which are quite different to those found in the lowlands and desert of which most of Iraq consists and includes many species which are found in Persia, Asia Minor and Syria. It appears to be a faunal element which has been but little studied in Iraq for a number of the species recorded here have not been previously noted as existing in that country. The collection here described was made in the mountains around Amadia, Kurdistan. In this area the mountains are quite extensively covered with scrub oak forest, while the valleys are very fertile and contain poplars and other trees (See Plate I). Plate I 1. Country near Hais, Kurdistan. Photograph by the author. 2. Habitat of Meriones persicus . Burrow beneath rock on a high mountain slope at Ser'Amadia. Photograph by the author. 3. Habitat of the grey hamster ( Cricetulus migratorius ) on a mountain slope at Ser'Amadia. Photograph by the author. 4. Earth mounds made by Spalax ehrenbergi on high mountain slopes near Ser'Amadia. Photograph by the author. The mammals obtained are listed below, with notes on their characteristics and field habits and with a description of a new bat. Meriones persicus Blanford. Persian sand rat.—This large and interesting gerbil is known from Persia, Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Asiatic Turkey, Transcaucasia and Russian Turkestan. It is not known hitherto from Iraq. An adult female specimen was collected at Ser'Amadia, Kurdistan on August 12, 1954, at an altitude of about 6000 feet. The species is readily distinguished by its large size (hind foot …