Tachyoryctes macrocephalus
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
MAMMALIA |
RODENTIA |
SPALACIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Tachyoryctes macrocephalus |
| Species Authority: |
(Rüppell, 1842) |
Common Name/s:
| English |
– |
Big-headed Mole Rat |
|
Assessment Information
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| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Endangered
B1ab(iii)
ver 3.1
|
| Year Assessed: |
2008 |
| Assessor/s |
Corti, M. & Lavrenchenko, L. |
| Evaluator/s: |
Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Cox, N. (Global Mammal Assessment Team) |
Justification:
Listed as Endangered because its extent of occurrence is probably less than 5,000 km², all individuals are in fewer than five locations, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat.
|
| History: |
| 2004 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 1996 |
– |
Lower Risk/least concern
|
|
Geographic Range
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| Range Description: |
This species is restricted to the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia. It has been recorded from 3,000 to 4,150 m asl.
|
| Countries: |
|
| Range Map: |
(click map to view full version)
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Population
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| Population: |
It is quite common within its restricted range.
|
| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
|
Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
It is an inhabitant of alpine grassland habitats.
|
| Systems: |
Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
This species is threatened by overgrazing of its habitat by domestic livestock, both within and outside of the Bale Mountains National Park.
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Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
The majority of the species' range is within the Bale Mountains National Park. There is a general need to maintain suitable grassland habitat for this species.
|