California kangaroo rat
| Dipodomys californicus California kangaroo rat | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Heteromyidae |
| Genus: | Dipodomys |
| Species: | D. californicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Dipodomys californicus Merriam, 1890 | |
The California kangaroo rat, Dipodomys californicus. is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae.[2]
Distribution
The California kangaroo rat is endemic to the Western United States, found in Northern California and southern Oregon. [3] Habitats include the (U.S.) Its distribution is from the Sierra Nevada foothills to Suisun Bay, and northwards in the California Coast Ranges to the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. [1] California's Kangaroo Mountain was likely named after the California kangaroo rat.[4]
It is an IUCN listed Least Concern species, due to the size of its distribution range. [1]
Taxonomy
Dipodomys californicus was formerly included as a subspecies of Dipodomys heermanni, but differs enough in chromosomal and biochemical characteristics to warrant being recognized as a distinct species. [1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Linzey, A. V. & NatureServe (Hammerson, G.) (2008). Dipodomys californicus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ↑ Patton, J. L. (2005). "Family Heteromyidae". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 844–845. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ↑ National Museum of Natural History: Dipodomys californicus . accessed 3.29.2013
- ↑ Bright, William (1998). 1500 California Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning. University of California Press. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-520-21271-8.