94 



U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 2 75 



Figure 19. — Distribution of the subspecies of Gerbillus eatoni. 



Cusher (Thomas, 1902); vicinity of Gharian and Tripoli (Klaptocz, 

 1909). 



Comparisons. This species most nearly resembles Gerbillus gerbillus 

 but can be distinguished by its darker color, less tufted tail, markedly 

 larger and more inflated auditory bullae, conspicuously domed 

 braincase, larger anterior palatine foramina, and shorter and wider 

 posterior palatine canals. 



From Gerbillus aureus and Gerbillus pyramidum, G. eatoni differs 

 in its markedly smaller overall size, relatively larger and more inflated 

 auditory bullae, smaller molariform teeth, and more domed braincase. 



Remarks. Thomas (1902) described Gerbillus eatoni as a full 

 species on the basis of its conspicuously domed and bulbous brain- 

 case and rather large auditory bullae. He further stated that this 

 gerbil was related to Gerbillus andersoni (= Gerbillus gerbillus ander- 

 soni de Winton), but the two species were separable by the larger 

 and more bulbous braincase of G. eatoni. Later, Ellerman and 

 Morrison-Scott (1951) placed G. eatoni in synonymy under Gerbillus 

 gerbillus gerbillus. This erroneous assignment probably was based on 

 too few specimens, although they listed specimens of this gerbil from 



