RODENTS OF LIBYA 257 



The collecting site on the Gebel near Cussabat is located approxi- 

 mately 110 kilometers northeast of the type locality of C. g. gundi at 

 Gharian and 135 kilometers northeast of the collecting locality near 

 Rumia and is part of the same escarpment which sharply delineates 

 the inner margin of the Tripolitanian coastal plain. The escarpment at 

 Cussabat is neither as extensive nor as high as the gebel at Gharian 

 and Rumia, but the character of the rocky outcroppings and coarse 

 talus are similar in the two areas. Gundis from Cussabat and those 

 from Rumia differ more than would be expected, however, in view 

 of the similarity in terrain, the ecological continuity of the escarpment, 

 and the relatively short distance separating them. 



Specimens from Cussabat and Rumia are almost indistinguishable 

 in the general shape and configuration of the skull, and both clearly 

 represent C. g. gundi. In cranial and external measurements, however, 

 those from near Cussabat are slightly larger in total length and length 

 of ears, least interorbital breadth, and length of anterior palatine 

 foramina. They are slightly smaller in length of tail and hind foot, 

 width of interparietal, height of auditory bullae, and jugular breadth. 

 In specimens from Cussabat, the angular process of the mandible is 

 heavier (less attenuated), the pelage is more worn, shorter, thinner, 

 less fluffy and silky and has less suffusion of brown hairs in the mid- 

 dorsal region. Ventrally, they are less buffy, being grayish rather 

 than tawny, and have darker tails distally. The specimens from near 

 Rumia were obtained in early March and presumably were in winter 

 pelage, and those from Cussabat were taken in late June and con- 

 sequently were in summer pelage. The differences in color and luster 

 of the fur between specimens from these two areas may thus reflect 

 seasonal characteristics of the pelage and may not indicate actual 

 differences. 



This subspecies attains its easternmost limits of distribution in 

 northwestern Libya where it is known from only the vicinity of the 

 type locality on the Gebel Nefusa and from near Cussabat. Its range, 

 however, doubtless includes all of the coastal gebel as far east as the 

 western margins of the Gulf of Sirte, south of which this subspecies 

 probably intergrades with C. g. vali. The western limits of its range 

 are unknown, but this subspecies probably occurs widely throughout 

 the mountains and escarpments of Tunisia and the eastern portions 

 of the Atlas Mountains in Algeria. Gundis are unknown from the 

 Hamada el Hamra and the Hamada de Tinrhert of the Tripolitanian 

 interior. Apparently suitable habitat does not occur in Libya this 

 far inland. 



Ecological observations. Near Rumia, gundis were occupying 

 fissures and interstices of large rocks which together form the face 



