young forest > millet fields > degraded soil, and short-term fallow > Pama re- serve > pasture > cotton field in the North Sudan region (Fig. 4b). However, ant species richness did not differ sig- nificantly between the fallow and the reserve (Wilcoxon, P > 0.025 after BonfeiToni coiTection) - both habitats al- so exhibited almost identical rates at which new species were added with the increasing sampling effort. Termite communities Quite similar to the trend observed for ants, the number of tennite species observed in all transect sections differed significantly between the Zai stages in the sub-Sahel zone (Friedman, N = 50, f (3) = 141 .94, P < 0.001 ) (Fig. 5a) and between the four North Sudanese habitats (Friedman, N = 39, X‘ (3) = 106.68, P < 0.001 ) (Fig. 5b). In the sub- Sahel zone, the descending order of the habitats with re- Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 16-31 ®ZFMK Teirnites and ants in semi-arid Burkina Faso 29 gard to the number of termite species observed was old forest > young forest > millet field > barren land. At a low sampling effort, however, the discovery rate of termites in the millet field was higher than in the young forest (in- dicated by the crossing curves at sampling unit 9). In the North Sudan region, the number of species predicted at the common sampling effort decreased in the order: re- serve > pasture > fallow > cotton field although the dif- ferences between the pasture and the fallow were not sig- nificant (Wilcoxon sign-rank test, P > 0.025 after Bonfer- roni correction). The rate at which termite species were added at a lower sampling effort was higher in the short- terni fallow than in the pasture (please note the crossing curves at sampling unit 27). All rarefaction and accumulation curves roughly ap- proach an asymptote. Figs 4-5, therefore, indicate that we representatively characterised the temiite and ant fauna, also proving that the spectrum of methods we used was appropriate. Effect of land-use intensity on species richness To analyse the correlation between species richness and habitat disturbance, each habitat type was assigned to one of four disturbance classes with 1 used for the near-nat- ural habitats and 4 the degraded, barren land (please re- fer to the method-section). Fig. 6 shows the number of ant (Fig. 6a) and termite (Fig. 6b) species collected in Burkina Faso as a function of the habitat disturbance. Each point comprises the num- ber of species collected per study plot; the study region is indicated by the shape of the point with a rhombus used for the North-Sudanese sites and circles for the sub-Sa- helian ones. A linear regression analysis was perfonned. The scat- terplots (Figs 6a, b) suggest a strong negative coiTelation between species richness and habitat disturbance: as the land-use intensity increases, the species richness of ter- mites (P < 0.001 , F2,9 = 37.26) and ants (P = 0.05, F2,9 = 1 1 .22) decreases. For the ant species, richness R- is 0.71, i.e. only 29% of the variance in species richness could not be explained with this model. When the ants’ species richness in a habi- tat was predicted, land-use intensity was found to be a sig- nificant predictor (P = -0.86, P < 0.05), whereas the study region was not (P = -0.05, P > 0.05). When the termites’ species richness in a habitat was predicted, both land-use intensity (P = -1.03, P < 0.001) and study region (P = -0.39, P < 0.05) were found to be significant predic- tors. The overall model fit for temiites is = 0.89, i.e. only 1 1 % of the variance could not be explained with the model. DISCUSSION Combining both regions, 65 ant species (25 genera and nine subfamilies) and 42 termite species (13 genera and five subfamilies) were collected according to the combined RAP (Tables 2 and 3). Depending on the study site, be- tween 40 and 50 transect sections (Figs 4-5) were sam- pled between 2004 and 2008. All accumulation and rare- faction curves in Figs 4-5 roughly approach an asymp- tote, therefore, indicating that we representatively char- acterized the termite and ant fauna. To our knowledge, these findings represent the first records for temiites and ants in Burkina Faso. Species richness along disturbance gradients. Termites and ants were highly sensitive to land-use intensification - extensively managed or degraded habitats hosted the lowest numbers of species, genera, subfamilies, and func- tional groups (Tables 2 and 3, Fig. 6). Similar findings were also reported from other regions: termite communi- ties were consistently found to be less diverse in disturbed habitats (for example, see Davies et al. 1999; Donovan et al. 2007; Gathome-Hardy et al. 2006; Vaessen et al. 201 1 ), and crops and plantations hosted less species than near- by natural vegetation (see Black & Okwakol 1 997 and ref- erences therein). Although direct comparisons are ham- pered due to differences in soil type, rainfall or the inten- sify of agricultural activity, a review of 10 studies revealed that ant species richness was nearly always lower in farm- land environments than in naturally vegetated areas (Lo- bry de Bruyn 1999). Similarly in Cote d’Ivoire, the num- ber of ant species decreased from relatively well conserved to the most extensively managed land-use types (Yeo et al. 2011). Therefore, and since increasing land-use intensification progressively simplified the habitats’ physical stmcture in our study sites (Table I , Figs 2A-H), we did expect that the species richness of both taxa would decrease with in- creasing human impact. Very astonishing, however, was the extent to which their richness decreased in heavily im- pacted habitats. The termite fauna was especially impov- erished. Unsustainable land-use and the reduction of veg- etative cover affect temiites and ants, for instance, by re- sulting in a loss of available feeding and nesting sites or by exposing them to greater physiological stress in the pe- dosphere (for example, see Agosti et al. 2000; Jones et al. 2003). The enormous loss of taxonomic and functional diver- sity of the focal arthropods may have disastrous conse- quences for small-scale subsistence farmers, impeding a sustainable agricultural production. Hence, especially promising are the observations concerning a resilient agri- cultural production and the progressive restoration of an increasingly diverse flora and fauna (particularly temiites and ants) on initially baneii crusted soils with the Zai prac- tice. To our knowledge, no other study has investigated Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 1 6-3 1 ©ZFMK 30 Dorkas Kaiser et al. the recovery potential of termite and ant communities in fully degraded, cmsted soils. The study of Gathorne-Hardy et al. (2002) in Southeast Asia revealed that an Imperata cvlindrica grassland and a cassava field, both hosting a strongly reduced temiite fauna, had the potential to recov- er when left fallow near a source area of primary forest for more than 50 years. Dibog et al. (1999) observed that tree-based agriculture in the Amazon had the potential to support the function of soil termite fauna even on land pre- viously used as pasture. To conclude, the present study provides a baseline for future monitoring studies in Burkina Faso and the com- parison of termite and ant diversity between the different disturbance regimes. We present a combination of stan- dard sampling methods (Fig. 3) that are easy to learn and effective to representatively, but rapidly, assess termites and ants in various (agro (ecosystems of semi-arid tropi- cal regions (Figs 4-5). Since crop production will have to increase strongly to meet the growing food demand driven by the ongoing human population growth (Godfray et al. 2010), more techniques are needed to increase soil fertility and maintain the sustainability of agricultural pro- duction by harnessing ecosystem services of naturally oc- curring organisms. Given the crucial role of termites and ants in ecosystem functioning throughout the tropics and subtropics, special focus should be put on techniques that support or fasten the recovery of their communities in highly degraded lands. More studies are, therefore, need- ed that investigate the responses of tennite and ant com- munities to habitat perturbations, the succession of their communities during habitat rehabilitation, and that clari- fy how the successions relate to the recovery of biodiver- sity and ecosystem processes. Acknowledgements. We are especially grateful to the fanners Yacouba Sawadogo (sub-Sahel zone) and Ousmane Loualy (North Sudan region), and their families for allowing access to their land, and to Lardia, Boukare, Ali and Inoussa for their as- sistance in the field. This study was conducted within the frame- work of an interdisciplinary project, ‘BIOTA West Africa’ (FZOlLCOOl 7a), funded by the Gennan Federal Ministry of Ed- ucation and Research (BMBF). REFERENCES Agosti D, Alonso A (2000) The ALL protocol. A standard pro- tocol for the collection of ground-dwelling ants. Pp. 204-206 in: Agosti D, Majer .ID, Alonso LE, Schultz TR & Wilson DE (eds.) ANTS - Standard Methods for Measuring and Moni- toring Biodiversity. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washing- ton DC, USA Agosti D, Majer ,1D, Alonso LE, Schultz TR (2000) ANTS - Standard Methods for Measuring and Monitoring Biodiver- sity. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C. and Lon- don Bai ZG, Dent DL, Olsson L, Schaepman ME (2008) Global as- sessment of land degradation and improvement. 1. Identifi- cation by remote sensing, Report 2008/01 , ISRIC - World Soil Information, Wageningen Batjes NH (2001) Options for increasing carbon sequestration in West African soils: an exploratory study with special fo- cus on Senegal. Land Degradation & Development 12: 131-142 Black HLI, Okwakol MJN (1997) Agricultural intensification, soil biodiversity and agroecosystem function in the tropics: the role of termites. Applied Soil Ecology 6: 37-53 Bolton B (1994) Identification guide to the ant genera of the world. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, USA Bolton B ( 1 995 ) A new general catalogue of the ants of the world. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, USA Bolton B, Alpert G, Ward PS, Naskrecki P (2007) Bolton’s cat- alogue of ants of the world: 1 758-2005, CD-ROM: Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, USA Bouillon A, Mathot G ( 1965) Quel est ce termite Africain? Ed. de rUniversite, Leopoldville, Belgian Congo Chiarucci A, Bacaro G, Rocchini D (2008) Quantifying plant species diversity in a Natura 2000 network: old ideas and new proposals. Biological Conservation 141: 2608-2618 Colwell RK (2005) EstimateS: statistical estimation of species richness and shared species from samples. Version 7.5 User’s guide and application. Online at http://viceroy.eeb.uconn.edu/ Estimates Davies RG, Eggleton P, Dibog L, Lawton JH, Bignell DE, Brau- man A, Hartmann C, Nunes L, Holt .1, Rouland C ( 1999) Suc- cessional response of a tropical forest termite assemblage to experimental habitat perturbation. Journal of Applied Ecolo- gy 36: 946-962 Davies RG, Eggleton P, Jones DT, Gathome-Hardy FJ, Hernan- dez LM (2003) Evolution of termite functional diversity: analysis and synthesis of local ecological and regional influ- ences on local species richness. Journal of Biogeography 30: 847-877 Deligne J (1966) Caracteres adaptatifs au regime alimentaire dans la mandibule des temrites (Insectes Isopteres). Compte rendu d’Academie des Sciences, Paris 263: 1323-1325 Dibog L, Eggleton P, Norgrove L, Bignell DE, Hauser S (1999) Impacts of canopy cover on soil tennite assemblages in an agrisilvicultural system in southern Cameroon. Bulletin of En- tomological Research 89: 125-132 Donovan SE, Griffiths GJK, Homathevi R, Winder L (2007) The spatial pattern of soil-dwelling tennites in primary and logged forest in Sabah, Malaysia. Ecological Entomology 32: 1-10 Dosso K, Deligne J, Yeo K, Konate S, Linsenmair KE (2013) Changes in the termite assemblage across a sequence of land- use systems in the rural area around Lamto Reserve in cen- tral Cote d’Ivoire. Journal of Insect Conservation 17: 1047-1057 Emerson AE (1928) Termites of the Belgian Congo and the Cameroon. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural His- tory 57: 574 Evans TA, Dawes TZ, Ward PR, Lo N (201 1 ) Ants and tennites increase crop yield in a dry climate. Nature Communications 2: 262 Gathome-Hardy FJ, Jones DT, Syaukani (2002) A regional per- spective on the effects of human disturbance on the tennites ofSundaland. Biodiversity and Conservation 11: 1991-2006 Gathome-Hardy FJ, Syaukani, Inward DJG (2006) Recovery of termite (Isoptera) assemblage stmcture from shifting cultiva- tion in Barito Ulu, Kalimantan, Indonesia. Journal of Tropi- cal Ecology 22: 605-608 Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 (1): 16-31 ©ZFMK Termites and ants in semi-arid Burkina Faso 31 Godfray HCJ, Beddington JR, Crute IR, Haddad L, Lawrence D, Muir JF, Pretty J, Robinson S, Thomas SM, Toulmin C (2010) Food security: the challenge of feeding 9 billion peo- ple. Science 327: 812-818 Grasse PP ( 1986) Tennitologia Tome III: Comportement, Social- ite, Ecologie, Evolution, Systematique. Masson, Paris, Prance Green RE, Cornell SJ, Scharlemann JPW, Baimford A (2005) Farming and the fate of wild nature. Science 307: 550-555 Hien F, Ouedraogo A (2001 ) Joint analysis of the sustainabili- ty of a local SWC technique in Burkina Faso. Pp. 256-266 in: Reij C & Waters-Bayer A (eds.) Farmer Innovation in Africa: A Source of Inspiration for Agricultural Development. Earthscan, London, UK Holldobler B, Wilson EO (1990) The ants. Harvard Lhiiversity Press, Cambridge, UK Jones CG, Lawton JH, Shachak M ( 1997) Positive and negative effects of organisms as physical ecosystem engineers. Ecol- ogy 78: 1946-1957 Jones DT, Eggleton P (2000) Sampling temiite assemblages in tropical forests: testing a rapid biodiversity assessment pro- tocol. Journal of Applied Ecology 37: 191-203 Jones DT, Susilo FX, Bignell DE, Hardiwinoto S, Gillison AN, Eggleton P (2003) Termite assemblage collapse along a land- use intensification gradient in lowland central Sumatra, In- donesia. Journal of Applied Ecology 40: 380-391 Jouquet P, Blanchart E, Capowiezc Y (2014) Utilization of earth- worms and termites for the restoration of ecosystem function- ing. Applied Soil Ecology 73: 34-40 Kabore D, Reij C (2004) The emergence and spreading of an improved traditional soil and water conservation practice in Burkina Faso. EPTD Discussion Paper No.l 14, Internation- al Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, USA, pp. 1^3 Kaiser D (2014) Termites and ants in Burkina Faso (West Africa): I . Taxonomic and functional diversity along land-use gradi- ents. 2. Ecosystem services of termites in the traditional Za't system: PhD, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultat, Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg. Wurzburg, Ger- many, pp. 1-380. Online at http://opus.bibliothek.uni- WLierzburg.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/10700) Kaiser D, Konate S, Linsenmair KE (2011) Assessment of ter- mite and ant communities. Evaluation des communautcs de termites et de fourmis. Pp. 520-525 in: Thiombiano A & Kampmann D (eds.) Biodiversity Atlas of West Africa Vol- ume II: Burkina Faso. Frankfurt / Main, Germany Koellner T, Hersperger AM, Wohlgemuth T (2004) Rarefaction method for assessing plant species diversity on a regional scale. Ecography 27: 532-544 Konate S, Kampmann D (2011) Biodiversity Atlas of West Africa, Volume III: Cote d'Ivoire. Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire and Frankfurt / Main, Gennany Kone M, Konate S, Yeo K, Kouassi PK, Linsenmair KE (2012) Diversity and abundance of terrestrial ants along a gradient of land-use intensification in a transitional forest-savannah zone of Cote d’Ivoire. Journal of Applied Biosciences 29: 1809-1827 Lee KE, Foster RC ( 1991 ) Soil fauna and soil structLire. Soil Re- search 29: 745-775 Lobry de Bruyn LA ( 1 993 ) Ant composition and activity in nat- urally-vegetated and familand environments on contrasting soils at Kellerbenin, Western Australia. Soil Biology & Bio- chemistry 25: 1043-1056 Lobi7 de Bruyn LAL (1999) Ants as bioindicators of soil func- tion in rural environments. Agriculture Ecosystems & Envi- ronment 74: 425-^41 Lobry de Bruyn LAL, Conacher AJ (1990) The role of temrites and ants in soil modification - a review. Soil Research 28: 55-93 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005) Ecosystems and hu- man well-being: desertification synthesis. World Resources In- stitute, Washington, USA Reij C, Tappan G, Smale M (2009a) Agroenvironmental trans- formation in the Sahel: another kind of “green revolution". In- ternational Food Policy Research Institute, IFPRI Discussion Paper: 53-58 Reij C, Tappan G, Smale M (2009b) Re-greening the Sahel: farmer-led innovation in Burkina Faso and Niger. Pp. 53”58 in: Spielman DJ & Pandya-Lorch R (eds.) Millions Fed: Proven Successes in Agricultural Development. 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Journal of Tropical Ecology 22: 277-287 Sileshi GW, Arshad MA, Konate S, Nkunika POY (2010) Ter- mite-induced heterogeneity in African savanna vegetation: mechanisms and patterns. Journal of Vegetation Science 21: 923-937 Some L, Dembele Y, Ouedraogo M, Some BM, Kambire FL, Sangare S (2006) Analysis of crop water use and soil water balance in Burkina Faso using CROPWAT, Vol. CEEPA Dis- cussion Paper No. 36, CEEPA, University of Pretoria, pp. 1-66 SPSS Inc. (2006) SPSS for Windows, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Version 15.0, IBM Coiporation Software Group (www.spss.com), Chicago, USA TraBi CS (2013) Diversite specifique et degats des termites dans les cacaoyeres (Theobroma Cacao L., 1753) de la region d’Oume en Cote d’Ivoire, PhD, Entomologie Agricole, Uni- versite Felix Houphouet-Boigny. Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, pp. 1-252 UNESCO (1977) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Carte de la repartition des regions arides. Notes techniques du MAB 7, UNESCO, Paris Vaessen T, Verwer C, Demies M, Kaliang H, van der Meer PJ (201 1) Comparison of tennite assemblages along a land-use gradient on peat areas in Sarawak, Malaysia. Joumal of Trop- ical Forest Science 23: 196-203 Webb GC (1961) Keys to the genera of the African tennites. Ibadan University Press, Nigeria Yeo K, Konate S, Tiho S, Camara SK (2011 ) Impacts of land- use types on ant communities in a tropical forest margin (Oume-Cote d’Ivoire). African Journal of Agricultural Re- search 6: 260-274 Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 16-31 ®ZFMK 32 Book Review Bohme, W. (2014): Herpetology in Bonn. Mertensiella 2 1 : 256 pp. The impressive book reviews the history of herpetological re- search and herpetological collections in Bonn in unexpected de- tails. It starts with the old Prussian university, which hosted the former natural history museum. This chapter also includes bio- graphic sketches about important researchers, who worked in the field of herpetology and were based in Bonn, or worked with the Bonn collection. This includes e.g., well known persons like Georg August Goldfuss, Franz von Leydig, and Georg .Ian. This chapter ends with a short summary about contemporary institu- tions involved in research about amphibians and reptiles, like the Federal Agency of Nature Conservation which is based in Bonn. However, the most important chapters of the book are about the Zoological Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK) and its her- petological research. At this point I have to say that the book could be easily an auto-biography, because Wolfgang Bohme is by all means the person who is responsible for the internation- al reputation of the ZFMK heipetological collection. However, it is very enjoyable that the person who has the best knowledge about this collection wrote about the history and the involved former researchers and recent students, instead about primarily himself The part about the ZFMK collection starts with a his- toric sketch about the foundation of the herpetological depart- ment and its first curator. Karl F. Buchholz. It is followed by sketches about the succeeded curators, but most importantly by the history, including important researchers, of the four main col- lections which were donated to the ZFMK collection. This in- cludes specimen donation from the University of Kiel and Hei- delberg, as well as the Gottingen collection and the Paul Muller collection. This historic part is followed by a complete type cat- alogue of the ZFMK heipetological collection, a chapter about national and international herpetological symposia held at the ZFMK. and is rounded down by a chapter on herpetological teaching at the ZFMK, and its “scientific output”. Although the last type catalogue was published lately ago (Bohme 2010), the type catalogue herein is more than just an update. It includes not only also detailed infonnation also about secondary types, but also to specimens erroneously considered as types, and lost type specimens, which are mainly from the Gottingen collection. Moreover, many important comments are given to problematic specimens. Therefore, this type catalogue is not only the most cun'ent catalogue, but also the most detailed one of the ZFMK heipetology collection. By several points this book is an important contribution to her- petology, It is the first detailed review of herpetological research in Bonn, also including other institutions than the ZFMK. It in- cludes a detailed history about the ZFMK collection and the re- searchers, as well as students who are involved in the “evolu- tion” of this collection, with a strong international reputation, and it includes the most updated type catalogue of primary and secondary types. All of this is written by the person who has not only an excellent knowledge about the ZFMK itself, but also the best overview regarding herpetological research in Bonn. Un- der the authority of Wolfgang Bohme, the collection has grown from about 10.000 specimens to one the largest collections in Gcnnany. Therefore it is hard to find any critical points or mis- takes. There are some minor details in the type catalogue, e.g. that it could be mentioned that the recent name of Lacerta stel- lio is Stellagama stellio. Moreover I am very sure that, even that the book is published in 2014, the type catalogue was out of date by the time of its publication, largely due to ongoing research of its author. Summarizing I can say that everybody who is interested in the history of the ZFMK collection, or in the history of German heipetological research, should have this book. It is full of de- tails and historic herpetological knowledge, and it serves some enjoyable early photographs of important recent herpetologists like e.g., Frank Glaw, Ulrich Joger, Jom Kohler, Andreas Schmitz, Miguel Vences, Thomas Wilms and Thomas Ziegler. REFERENCES Bohme, W. (2010) A list of the herpetological type specimens in the Zoologisches Forschungsnuiseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn. Bonn zoological Bulletin 59: 79-108 Philipp Wagner, Amphibians and Reptiles, Naturmuseum, Um- weltschutz-Informationszentrum Lindenhof, Karolinenreuther StraBe 58, 95448 Bayreuth, tel. +49 921-75942-0; E-mail: philipp.wagner.zfmk(aiuni-bonn.de Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 32 ©ZFMK Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 July 2015 Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq (Chordata: Mammalia) Omar F. Al-Sheikhly', Mukhtar K. Haba\ Filippo Barbanera’, Gabor Csorba^ & David L. Harrison’ ^Department of Biology’, University of Baghdad, Iraq: E-mail: alsheikhlyomar@,gmail.com 'Department of Biology’, College of Science for Women. University of Baghdad. Iraq ^Department of Biology, Zoology’ and Anthropology Unit, Via Volta 4 I-561 26 Pisa. University of Pisa, Italy ''Department of Zoology’, Hungarian Natural Histoiy Museum, Hungaiy, Baross ii. 13. Budapest, H-1088, Hungaiy ^Harrison Institute. Bowej-M’ood House, 15, St. Botolph's Road. Sevenoaks, Kent TNI 3 3AQ, UK Abstract. A checklist of the mammals of Iraq including their current status and geographical distribution is provided. Data were collected from literature and combined with field observations obtained during 2013-2014. The checklist com- prises 93 species of wild mammals occun ing in Iraq and belonging to eight orders, 28 families, and 65 genera. The sta- tus and distribution of three Erinaceomorphs, three Soricomoiphs, 20 Bats, 23 Carnivores, eight Artiodactyls, two Lago- moqjhs, 28 Rodents, and six Cetaceans are reported. The checklist includes 24 species evaluated by the Intemational Union for the Conseiwation of Nature and Natural Resources: one was listed as Extinct, one as Critically Endangered, four as Endangered, eight as Vulnerable, seven as Near Threatened, and three as Data Deficient. One subspecies of car- nivores (Smooth-coated Otter Liitrogale perspiciUata ma.xwelli) and one rodent species (Long-tailed Nesokia Nesokia hiinnii) endemic to Mesopotamian marshlands were highlighted as taxa with conservation priority to Iraq. We also fo- cused on main threats to the most common wild mammals with special attention to impacts of illegal hunting and poach- ing. Key words. Iraq, systematic checklist, vertebrates, wild mammals, endemics l19.^ ^ ^ 1 1 LbjLiuIjIj ^LaiJ a . a M IalA Sj.3.IjIXI ^UJI I't ipt uPi q ^UkJI .2014 —2013 ^j-a Caaj.^1 ,^.^1 U.Ll-a.1 1 ^ I I ^ I f I j [ L^J I I ^ f , t . ..'i ‘iLj Lc. ,'i a ^ — ‘-o 1 v_jhiljVI ,u.s94aVi a ,‘i a Lu Lyl I iiiaSaf I .ULaiJI tijf AjuLj fti J.A all 0 ^ M*! 1 L- ^ U^a Ij p ^ 1 ^j-a f J ^ Lll 15. AiJ ■3F_^F ^ui Sjj4i .jjLalJI ^.aaAj 1^3^ I 1 . . ...flj y^jt jaaiVl^ a . 1 1 a^. .^. ,M INTRODUCTION The ten'itoiy of Iraq is comprised between latitudes 29° to 38° N and longitudes 39° to 49° E (a small area lies west of 39°) and spans over 437,072 km- (168,754 sq mi). It borders with Turkey to the north, Syria to the northwest, Iran to the east, Jordan to the west, Saudi Arabia to the south and southwest, and Kuwait to the south. Border with the latter is marked by a narrow section of coastline stretching for 58 km (36 mi) in the northern Arabian Gulf The landscape includes high mountains in the north (Kur- distan), desert, arid lands, and sandy steppes in the west- ern and south-western plateau (Al-Badiyah), and the Mesopotamian marshlands in the southern alluvial plain. This wide range of habitats awards Iraq with a noticeable biodiversity, the wild mammals being not an exception (Fig.l). Received: 15.08.2013 Accepted: 16.02.2015 Since Hatt ( 1 959) little was known about the mammals of Iraq. Most of the observations available to date for Iraq were due to Robert T. Hatt, indeed. In 1959, he published “The Mammals of Iraq”, where he included data collect- ed on wild and domestic animals during surveys carried out between October 1 952 and March 1 953 under the aus- pices of the United States Educational Foundation of Iraq (“Fulbright Foundation”). Hatt’s report is considered the first checklist of the mammals of Iraq, as it includes not only author’s own findings but also both material and re- ports provided to him by Charles A. Reed and Lee Mer- riam Talbot. Charles A. Reed (School of Pharmacy, Uni- versity of Illinois, USA) joined to an expedition to study the historical fauna of Iraq in 1954-1955. He was support- ed by a grant of the National Science Foundation (USA) and worked in collaboration with the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. Lee Meniam Talbot visited Iraq Conesponding editor: R. Hutterer 34 Omar F. Al-Sheikhly et al. Fig. 1. Map showing the major landscapes in Iraq. briefly in 1955 under the auspices of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Re- sources (lUCN) to get insight into the status of a few threatened large mammals. Another relevant contribution to the knowledge of the teiTestrial mammals of Iraq was provided by David L. Har- rison (co-author; deceased March 2015), who joined the British Royal Air Force in 1953 and earned out the ma- jor part of his national service in Iraq. Harrison reviewed Halt’s records and made further field observations espe- cially by surveying the suiTOundings of Ramadi and Hab- baniya in central Iraq (Anbar Province). His work was published in tliree volumes entitled “The Mammals of Ara- bia” (1964; 1968; 1972). Further updates were included in the second edition of his book that was published in 1991. In his books, Han'ison exhaustively addressed the entire information available for the mammalian fauna of Iraq during the period 1953-1991. In 1969, Nuri Mahdi and P.V. George prepared their checklist of the vertebrates of Iraq, which included wild and domesticated mammals. Mahdi & George (1969) list- ed 88 mammalian species according to the systematic aiTangement of Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1951). They included taxa that had been actually recorded in Iraq and those that were assumed to occur as well, citing previous literature records and reporting the catalogue of the spec- imens included in the collection of the Biological Research Centre in Baghdad (BRCB). However, Mahdi & George’s checklist failed to provide detailed infonnation on all the listed species (e.g., distribution range and/or collecting lo- calities and dates). The present checklist takes into account eight orders, 28 families, 65 genera and 93 species of mammals of Iraq including both their taxonomic status and geographical distribution (Table 1 ). Nomenclature adopted in this check- list follows third edition of Mammal Species of the World (Wilson & Reeder 2005) unless otherwise stated. EXTINCT SPECIES The historical record of the mammals of Iraq (Hatt 1959) included many species that are currently extinct. The Mesopotamian Lion {Pantliem leo persica) was present along the Euphrates River in the early XIX"' century. Last representatives of the species were killed at the time of the military actions of the British forces (1916-1918). His- torical occurrence of the Tiger (Panthera tigris) in Iraq is documented by Kock ( 1 990). The Indian One-homed Rhi- noceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is known only by a sin- gle lower tooth from the Paleolithic site of Barda Balka, and by later sculptural representations that likely referred to animals of Indian origin. Accurate depictions of Bison (Bison bonasus) resembled on cylinder seals and potter- ies were found in Mesopotamia (4000 to 2000 B.C). The Siva’s Giraffe (Sivatheriinn giganteiini) inhabited Iraq dur- ing the Paleolithic and was present as late as 3500 B.C.. It is presumed that the Water Buffalo (Biibalus biibalis) was also native to Mesopotamia. In fact, the wild type was frequently portrayed until about 2 1 00 B.C. before it went extinct. Teeth testifying the presence of the Elephant (Ele- phas niaxinnis) in Iraq in the late Pleistocene are also known. Bones and representations of Wild Ox or Aurochs (Bos prirnigenius) are abundant in archeological sites from the Palaeolithic to the IX'" century (B.C. ). The Syrian Wild Ass “Onager” (Eqiius hemionus hemippits) was abundant in the plains of north-western Iraq, but since the middle of the XIX"' centui-y its number has dramatically decreased due to over-hunting. The last herd was reported near Ja- balSinjarin 1927(Raswan 1935; Hatt 1959). A few bone fragments, teeth, and some reasonably accurate depictions of the Red Deer ( Cerviis elaphus maral) testify the early occurrence of this species in Iraq, although there is lack of evidence for its more recent presence. Nevertheless, the species still inhabits Turkey and Iran. A Beaver (Castor fiber) mandible was found in Palaeolithic deposits of Iraq as well as near the Khabur River in eastern Syria in 1837; the latter, however, was not reliably assessed and could be assigned also to an Otter (Liitra sp.) (Hatt 1959). As part of this work, we revised the taxonomic identification of the species that were misidentified or overlooked. Fi- nally, we included the Arabian Oryx (Oryx leiicoiyx) in the checklist as it has occurred until recently in the south- ern desert of Iraq (Harrison 1968; Harrison and Bates 1991; Al-Sheikhly 2012c). Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 (1): 33-58 ®ZFMK Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq 35 TAXONOMIC REMARKS Erinaceomorpha Early records of the European Hedgehog (Eri)iaceus eu- ropaetis) from Iraq can be referred now to the Southern White-breasted Hedgehog {E. concolor) (Harrison & Bates 1991). Soricomorpha Nader ( 1969) examined specimens of Bicolored White- toothed Shrew, which were assigned by Hatt ( 1959) to the Iranian subspecies {Crocidiira leiicodon persica), and re- assigned them to C. russula. A more recent investigation carried out by Hutterer & Hamson (1988) has provision- ally allocated Hatt’s ( 1959) specimens to the Lesser White- toothed Shrew (C. suaveoleus). Chiroptera Kinnear (1916) reported the presence ofRhiiiopoma ara- bicum" (= R. arabium) in Iraq, a taxon formerly regard- ed as subspecies of Lesser Mouse-tailed Bat {R. hard- wickii) (Ellerman & Morrison-Scott 1951, Simmons 2005). Presently, the name arabicum is applicable to the Levantine and Arabian populations of/?, cystops (Berda et al. 2009). Khajuria (1988) described R. hadithaeusis as a new bat species from the western Iraq; however, this tax- on is now considered as Junior synonym of R. udcrophyl- lum (Kock et al. 2001 ). Both Taphozous kachhensis bahy- loiriciis and Taphozous maginis are presently regarded as synonym of the Naked-bellied Tomb Bat ( Taphozous midi- ventris) (HaiTison & Bates 1991, Simmons 2005). As far as Kinnear ’s (1916) record of the Meditenanean Horse- shoe Bat (Rhiuolophus eiuyale) is concerned, Cheesman ( 1920) and Hatt ( 1959) found no confirmation for its oc- cuiTence in Iraq. Niazi ( 1967) reported the occurrence of R. eiuyale in two localities in Iraq. However, according to the cranial measurements, Han ison & Bates (1991) sug- gested that the specimens described by Niazi were in fact Mehely’s Horseshoe Bats (R. mehelyi). Mahdi & George ( 1969) included R. eiuyale in their list without providing details (e.g., voucher specimens or sampling locality) on the collected material. Rzebik-Kowalska et al. (1978) collected the first known specimens of Natterer’s Bat (Myotis uattereri) in Iraq; nevertheless, these individuals were larger than the locally known forms and might represent a distinct tax- on (Hanison & Bates 1991 ). Hairison ( 1956a) discovered Serotine Bat (Eptesicus serotinus tiircoiiiaiiiis) in north- ern Iraq. However, this record was assigned later by Har- rison & Bates ( 1 99 1 ) to Anatolian Serotine [E. bottae aiia- toliciis (= E. aiiatoliciis)] (Juste et al. 2013). Another in- dividual collected in Baghdad and initially identified as Northern Bat {E. nilssoiii nilssoiii) by Hatt ( 1 959) was sub- sequently assigned to E. bottae (Harrison 1972; Hanison & Bates 1991 ). Hatt ( 1959) also reported the occurrence of the Hingston’s Serotine Bat (E. sodalis hiiigstoiii), which was considered later on as synonym of E. bottae (Harrison & Bates 1991 ). Hanison ( 1964) considered the Sind Serotine Bat (E. iiasutus) and Wall’s Serotine Bat (E. walli) as synonymous. Records from Iraq of E. walli and its synonym, Vespertilio uiatschiei pelliiceiis, are report- ed as E. Iiasutus (= Rhyiieptesiciis iiasutus) by Hanison & Bates ( 1991 ). Similarly, previous records of the Cox’s Pipistrel [Pipistrelliis co.xi) are now referred to Ruppell’s Pipistrelle {R rueppellii), while the Schreiber’s Bat or Long-winged Bat (Miiiiopteriis schreibersi pidcher) de- scribed by Hanison (1956) is considered to be synonym of M. s. pallidiis (= M. pallidus) by Harrison & Bates ( 1991 ). Finally, Metaxas ( 1891 ) reported the occurrence of both Particolored ( Vespevtilio iiiiiriiius) and Long-eared (Plecotus auritiis) Bat in Iraq, but Hatt ( 1959) could not confirm these records. Carnivora According to Lawrence ( 1956) both Iranian {Cants lupus pallipes) and Arabian (C. /. arabs) Wolf did occur in Iraq, where a zone of hybridization between the two subspecies is known in the western part of the counti'y (Harrison & Bates 1991 ). Very recently, the Arabian Wolf was record- ed in the extreme western Iraq by Al-Sheikhly (2012b). Al-Sheikhly (2012) recorded the Syrian Jackal (Cants au- reus syriaciis) for the first time in western Iraq. Similar- ly, the Indian Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsi) was recently obseiwed for the first time in northern Iraq. This record represents a large extension of the species range in Arabia (Al-Sheikhly & Mallon 2013). The Red Fox ( Vulpes viilpes) observed in the deserts of Iraq and assigned by Hatt ( 1959) to the Indian subspecies ( V. V. piisilliis) is now listed as Arabian Fox ( V.v. arabica) according to Harrison & Bates ( 1991 ). Captured individ- uals and pictures taken by means of stealth camera traps referring to Ruppell’s Sand Fox (Vulpes riieppelli) were published in the Al-Assad au Natural (newsletter of the 37 L‘ Sustainment Brigade of the Ohio Army National Guard, Al-Assad base, Anbar Province- N-SB). Accord- ing to the morphological traits of the animals reported in Al-Assad au Natural newsletter, it seems much more like- ly that the reported Sand Foxes were in fact Arabian Red Foxes (V V. arabica). However, V. riieppelli was report- ed once at Khan Al-Baghdadi in western Iraq by Al-As- sad au Natural (2009). Mahdi & George ( 1969) reported the likely occuiTence of the Fennec Fox (V zerda) in Iraq. Al-Robaae (1982) collected an individual near Jabal Sanam (c. 30 km south west of Basra, extreme southern Iraq). The same author also reported that an individual was captured alive near Jabal Hafit (United Arab Emirates) and kept at the Al-Ain Zoological Garden. Later on, Gasperetti et al. (1985) proved that the Jabal Hatlt fox was in fact V. riieppellii. Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 (1 ): 33-58 ®ZFMK 36 Omar F. Al-Sheikhly et al. The Middle East Badger (Meles canescens) was shown recently to represent a separate species distinguishable from its closest relative, the European Badger (Meles meles) by a combination of cranial and dental characters (Abramov & Puzachenko 2013). The Smooth-coated Otter [{Liitrogale perspicillata (the endemic subspecies: L. p. maxwelli)} was believed to be extinct in Iraq by the 1990s. However, during field sur- veys earned out in 2007-2012, Al-Sheikhly & Nader (2013) proved the occun-ence of the species in the south- ern marshes. Finally, whereas the endangered Persian Eeopard (Pan- thera parchis saxicolor) has been recently recorded in many localities of northern Iraq (Kurdistan), there has been no recent sighting of the Asiatic Cheetah (Aciuonyx jiiha- tiis venaticus) since Hatt’s (1959) report; hence, the lat- ter is considered as virtually extinct in Iraq. Artiodactyla Details about the Gazelles complex and their distribution in Iraq was reported by Al-Sheikhly (2012c). However, further investigation is required to update the distribution of both the Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella subgiitturosa marica) and Persian Gazelle (G. s. siihguttiirosa) in Iraq. Lagomorpha With reference to the status of the Hare in Iraq, Hatt ( 1 959) regarded coivwri as subspecies of the European Hare (Le- pus ewopaeus). However, according to some genetic in- vestigations Harrison & Bates (1991) considered the Eu- ropean and Cape Hare as closely related taxa, and regard- ed cowwri as subspecies of the Cape Hare (Lepus capeii- sis). Sanborn (1940) tentatively identified hares collect- ed in Baghdad and Camp Rashid as European Hare (L. eu- ropaeiis couuori), which is now regarded as synonym of L. c. counori. Hubbard ( 1955) reported the occuiTence of Lepus babylomeus in Baghdad and Hi 11a, a taxon now con- sidered as synonym of L. capensis. The Syrian subspecies of the Cape Hare (L. c. syriacus) was recently recorded (April 2012) c. 17 km to the north west of Rutba (Anbar Province) near the Iraqi-Syrian borders (Al-Sheikhly, in litt.). Rodentia Hatt (1959) included the Persian Squirrel (Sciunis anom- aliis anomaliis) among the Iraqi rodents with comparative- ly deep red-coloured tails; nevertheless, these records are now considered as referable to the Caucasian SquiiTel (5. a. pallescens) (Harrison 1956a; Harrison & Bates 1991). Khajuria (1981) assigned two rats from Al-Quma (Bas- ra Province) to a new taxon under genus Eiythronesokia, but shown to be a distinctive species of Nesokia. Long- tailed Nesokia (Nesokia bunnii) by Al-Robaae & Felten (1990). However, later on Hamson & Bates (1991 ) sug- gested that these individuals could provisionally be re- ferred to as Short-tailed Bandicoot Rat (Nesokia indica). The earlier records of the Wagner’s Gerbil [Gerbillus (Heudecapleiaxi) dasyurus)] mentioned by Cabrera (1901), Cheesman (1920), and Hatt (1959) are now con- sidered referable to Harrison’s Gerbil [G. (H.) mesopotamiae)] (Hamson & Bates 1991). Similarly, Hatt’s (1959) records of the Turkish Jird (Meriones black- leri blackleh) are now assigned to the Tristram’s Jird [M. (M.) tristrami)) by Harrison & Bates ( 1991 ). The presence of the Afghan Mole Vole (Ellobius fus- cocapillus) in Iraq is uncertain as it does not occur today in the south Levant, but fossils document its fonner pres- ence during Pleistocene, about 220,000-110,000 and 80,000-60,000 years ago (Tchemov 1992; 1994). Hatt (1959) suggested that Afghan Mole Vole might still be present in the mountains of Kurdistan. Some fossils found in a 25,000 years old deposit (Cave of Hazar Merd) as well as other remains from an older deposit (Shanidar Cave) were assigned by Bates ( 1930) to E. fitscocapillus. Bal- tazard & Seydian (1960) reported the presence of the species in the locality of Penjwin; however, Petter (1961) excluded such an occuiTence. The Iraqi records of E. fus- cocapilliis are now considered referable to the Transcau- casian Mole Vole [Ellobius (Afgauomys) liitescens], Hatt’s (1959) records of the Persian Vole (Microtus irani) regarded as Social Vole [Microtus (Microtus) socialist (Hamson 1972; Hamson & Bates 1991). Harrison & Bates ( 1991 ) included giientheri and irani under Social Vole M. socialis. However, M. irani has been separated as distinct taxon (Kefelioglu & Krystufek 1999; Golen- ishchev et al. 2002; Krystufek & Kefelioglu 2002). Cetacea Most of Iraq marine mammals’ records were provided by Al-Robaae ( 1969, 1970, 1974, 1975). However, further in- vestigation is needed to reliably describe the status of this order in Iraq. MATERIAL AND METHODS Evidence for both occurrence and distribution of the Iraqi mammals were obtained from field observations carried out in 2013 and 2014, and combined with the following literature records (listed according to the year of publish- ing): Layard ( 1 852); Metaxas (1891); Cabrera & Viaje Del Sr (1901); Wettstein (1913); Lydekker & Blaine (1914); Wigram & Wigram (1914); Kinnear (1916); Thomas (1919a, b); Cheesman (1920); Capper (1921); Pitman (1922); Cheesman (1923); Cheesman & Hinton (1923); Musil (1927); Corkill (1929); Bate (1930); Pocock (1930); Corkill (1930); Pocock (1934); Dollman & Burlace (1935); Pocock (1936,1938); Heptner (1940); Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 ®ZFMK Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq 37 Sanborn (1940); Pocock (1941,1946); Ellerman (1947, 1948); Drower (1949); Ellennan & Morrison-Scott ( 1951 ); Felid (1951, 1954); Page (1954); Thesiger ( 1954); Felid (1955); Hubbard (1955); Weber (1955); Harrison (1956a, b, c); Sanborn ( 1956); Hayman ( 1957); Maxwell (1957); Petter (1957); Hoogstraal & Kaiser ( 1958); Reed (1958); Bodenheimer (1959); Harrison (1959); Hatt (1959); Maxwell (1960); Baltazard & Seydian ( 1960); Pet- ter ( 1961 ), Harrison ( 1964); Thesiger ( 1 964); Al-Robaae ( 1 966); Von Lehmann ( 1 966); Groves & Hamson ( 1 967); Mahdi ( 1967); Al-Robaae ( 1968); Harrison ( 1968); Al- Robaae (1969); Mahdi & George ( 1969); Nader (1969); Al-Robaae ( 1970); Nasher ( 1970); Felten ( 1971 ); Nader (1971); Nadler et al.(1971); Andera (1972); Harrison ( 1972); Al-Robaae (1974, 1975); Kadhim ( 1975); Thalen (1975); Al-Robaae (1976); Niazi (1976); Al-Robaae (1977); Jawdat (1977); Kadhim et al. (1977); Bhatnager & El-Azawi ( 1978); Nadachowski et al. (1978); Rzebik- Kowalska et al. (1978); Shamsuddin & Mohammad (1978); Young (1978); Darviche et al. (1979); Kadhim (1979); Kadhim et al.(l979); Nader (1979); Matskasi (1980); Jawdat & Mahmoud ( 1981 ); Kadhim ( 1981 ); Kha- juria ( 1981 ); Al-Robaae ( 1982); Al-Shenawi et al. ( 1 982); Kadhim & Mustafa (1983); Nader & Kock (1983); Al- Khalili (1984); Gasperetti et al. (1985); Kadhim & Wahid (1986); Kadhim et al.(1986); Nader (1968 a; b); Groves (1988); Hutterer & Harrison (1988); Khajuria (1988); Kadhim et al. (1989); Kock ( 1990); Al-Robaae & Felten (1990); Nadachowski et al. (1990); Nader & Kock ( 1990a); Harrison & Bates ( 1991 ); Kadhim ( 1 997, 1998); Kock et al. (2001 ); McLellan & Garshelis (2006); Haba (2009); Mallon & Kingswood (2001); Al-Sheikhly (2012b, c); Co§kuna et al. (2012); Omer et al. (2012); Raza et al. (2012); Abass (2013); Al-Sheikhly & Nader (2013); Al-Sheikhly & Mallon (2013); Haba (2013); Lahony et al. (2013); Mohammad et al. (2013); Raza (2013); Al- Sheikhly et al. (2014); Al-Sheikhly et al. (2015). We al- so relied our work on mammal collections resident to: Bi- ological Research Centre, Baghdad, Iraq (BRCB); Bom- bay Natural History Society, Mumbai, India (BNHS); Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois, USA (FMNH); Harrison Institute (formerly Hamson Zoologi- cal Museum), Sevenoaks, Kent, UK (HZM); Iraqi Natu- ral History Research Centre and Museum, Baghdad, Iraq (BRCB); Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France (PM); collection of the University of Michigan, Michigan, USA (UMC); Natural History Museum, Lon- don, UK (BMNH); Hungarian Natural History Museum - Hungary (HNHM). Recent records were derived from direct visual obser- vations of live animals in the wild or in captivity, dead specimens (hunted or trapped), and investigation of study skins or mounted specimens, tracks, scats, field signs, calls and vocalizations. Reports and photographs from mem- bers of the Iraqi Hunters Association (IHA) as well as in- terview with local people were also considered. In addi- tion, Baghdad Zoological Garden (BZG) and local animal markets were visited. Photo-identification was carried out by means of an EOS 40D and EOS IDs Mark II Canon digital SLR camera bodies attached to a Canon EF 400 mm F5.6L USM telephoto lens and Bushnell IR remote camera traps. The identification of the individuals collect- ed during this study was based on Hairison & Bates ( 1991 ) and Aulagnier et al. (2008). The orders, families, genera, species and subspecies were listed in the order they ap- pear in the 3"“^ edition of Wilson & Reeder’s (2005). Dur- ring 2013-2014 several recent records (RR) were made and presented in the text as the following: a single record made in Anbar Province in 20 1 3 (An- 1 3 ); multiple records made in Basra Province in 2013 and 2014 (Ba-13; 14) and so on. RESULTS Systematic list of the species Order Erinaceomorpha Family Erinaceidae Southern White-Breasted Hedgehog Erinaceiis concolor (Martin, 1838) Subspecies: C. c. couco/or (Martin, 1838). Distribution: Mountains, forests, and grassy steppes of northem Iraq. Recorded from: Hais 10 km NW Ser Ama- dia (Hanison 1956a); Banaman (Hatt 1959). RR: Bradost Mountain (Er-14). Long-eared Hedgehog Hemiechimis auritus (Gmelin, 1770) Subspecies: H. a. calligoni (Satunin, 1901 ). Distribution: Arid steppes, marshes, and riparians along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Recorded from: Amara and Basra (Cheesman 1920); Hit, Al-Falluja, and near Samarra (Pitman 1922); Baghdad (Sanborn 1940; Hub- bard 1955; Weber 1955); Mansuriya al Shatt (Hatt 1959; Nader 1968b; Martin & Nader 1975; Bhatnager & El-Aza- wi 1978; Shenawi et al. 1982); Chebaeish (Haba 2009); Jabal Makhool, AFAIam, Hussaiba, and 3 km from Al- Qa-eem (Al-Sheikhly 2012); Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013). RR: Jadrriyah and Umm Al-Khanazeer Island, Yarmook, and Dor’ah (B-13); Hammar Marsh (Ba-14). Desert Hedgehog Paraechimts aethiopicus (Ehrenberg, 1832) Subspecies: P. a. litdlowi (Thomas, 1919). Distribution: Arid deserts and steppes of central and south- ern Iraq. Recorded from: Qasral Helqum (Hairison 1959), 40 km E Rutba (Nadachowski et al. 1990), Hadithah and Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 ©ZFMK 38 Omar F. Al-Sheikhly et al. Baghdad (Hatt 1959), Hit (type locality of P. a. htdlowi) and Hamam Al-Alil (Bhatnager & El-Azawi 1978). RR: Rutba (An-2013). Order Soricomorpha Family Soricidae Asian House Shrew Sunctis minimis (Linnaeus, 1766) Subspecies: No named subspecies; Iraq population like- ly originate from north India. Distribution: Introduced to extreme southern Iraq. Record- ed from: Al-Qurna (Cheesman 1920); Basra (Hatt 1959); Chebaeish (Haba 2009); specimens collected in Fao are resident to the BMNH collection; Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013). RR: Al-Qurna (Ba-13); Hammar Marsh (Ba-14). Etruscan Shrew Siuiciis etriisciis (Savi, 1822) Subspecies: S. e. etnisciis (Savi, 1822). Distribution: Bushland, cultivated fields, and marshs of southem and central Iraq. Recorded from: Basra and Ama- ra (Cheesman 1920); Al-Falluja (Pitman 1922); Kut al Imaira (Hatt 1 959); Habbaniya and the eastern bank of the Euphrates River (Hanison 1959; Harrison & Bates 1991 ); Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013). Lesser White-toothed Shrew Crocidwa siiaveoleiis (Pal- las, 1811) Subspecies: Likely C. 5. portali (Thomas, 1920) sub- species, with individual variation in the colour of pelage. Distribution: Mountains and steppes of northern Iraq. Recorded from: Bebaidi and Sarsank (Hamson 1956a; Hatt 1959); specimens from Cora and Almawan original- ly listed by Hatt (1959) as Bicolored White- toothed Shrew (C leiicodon persica), which was referred later to this species by Hutterer & Harrison (1988); the vicinity of Mousel (Andera 1972; Hutterer & Hamson 1988). RR: Safen Mountain (Er-14). Order Chiroptera Family Rliinopomatidae Lesser Mouse-tailed Bat Rhiiiopomci hardwickH (Gray, 1831) Subspecies: R. h. arahiiim (Thomas, 1913). Distribution: Apparently rare, restricted to the caverns in the arid steppes of western and central Iraq. Recorded from: 19 km E Hilla by Sanborn (1956); near Haditha (Hatt 1959; Nader 1971). A colony of 83 individuals were found roosting in a small cave at Sheikli Hadid sink hole near Haditha (Al-Sheikhly 2012). Greater Mouse-tailed Bat Rhiuopoma microplivllitm (Briinnich, 1782) Distribution: Uncertain. Recorded by Khajuria (1988) from Haditha in western Iraq as a distinct species {Rhiuopoma hadithaensis), but regarded as a junior syn- onym of the Greater Mouse-tailed Bat (R. microphylhim) by Kock et al. (2001 ). Family: Emballonuridae Naked -rumped Tomb Bat Taphozous (Liponycteris) midi- veiitris (Cretzschmar, 1830) Subspecies: T. ii. magiiiis {WettsXein, 1913). Distribution: Widespread, mainly along the Tigris and Eu- phrates Rivers. Recorded from: banks of Euphrates Riv- er (Kinnear 1916); Amara, Shaiba, Ctesiphon, and Basra (Cheesman 1920); Baghdad and Diltawa (Sanborn 1940); Ctesiphon arch (Weber 1955); between Habbaniya and Ar Ramadi, Habbaniya, and at Shaiba (Harrison 1956b); Aqqar-Quf, Baghdad, Fao, and Najaf (Harrison 1964); recorded also by Al-Robaae ( 1968), Shamsuddin & Mo- hammad ( 1978), Nadachowski et al. ( 1978), Al-Shenawi et al. ( 1982) and Haba (2009). RR: Large colonies roosting in cracks of old buildings at Chebaeish (Th-14). Family: Rhinolophidae (Horseshoe bats) Greater Horseshoe Bat Rhiiwlophiis fernimeqidmtm (Schreber, 1774) Subspecies: R. f. iraiii (Cheesman, 1921 ), with distinctive pale pelage. Distribution: Limestone caverns and suitable retreats of northern and central Iraq. According to Hatt (1959) the species was reported to occur in Iraq only by Metaxas (1891) and Kinnear (1916). Recorded from: 130 km W Ramadi (Niazi 1976); Salahadin and Erbil Liwa (Nader & Kock 1983); a single specimen from Tang-i-dorg in Duhok is kept in the collection of the BMNH (Harrison 1964). Al-Robaae ( 1976) has tentatively identified some specimens from Mousel (Hamson & Bates 1991). Lesser Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophiis hipposideros (Bech- stein, 1800) Subspecies: R. h. midas (Anderson, 1905). Distribution: Three specimens from Baghdad were report- ed by Cheesman (1920); this represents the only record for Iraq (Hatt 1959; Hamson & Bates 1991). Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophiis einyale (Bla- sius, 1853) Subspecies: The Iraqi population can not be assigned to any named subspecies. Distribution: Previous data of the species (Niazi 1976) rep- resents R. mehelyi (see remarks below). The only definite record is from Bjil village, Akre District in northern Iraq (Al-Sheikhly et al. 2015). Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 ®ZFMK Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq 39 Mehely’s Horseshoe Bat Rhiuolophiis mehelyi (Matsch- ie, 1901) Subspecies: R. m. mehelyi {Matschie, 1901). Distribution: Caves of arid areas in central and western Iraq. Niazi ( 1967) reported the occuiTence of the Mediter- ranean Horseshoe Bat (R. eiuyale) in two localities; how- ever, the species was proved to be in fact R. mehelyi (Har- rison & Bates 1991, Al-Sheikhly et al. 2015). Recorded from: 43 km SW Ash-Shinaffya and 130 km W Ramadi; specimens collected in Al-Alfasia Cave (8 km S Haditha) are resident to the BMNH (Hanison & Bates 1991). Spec- imens collected in El Hashfe and Hadhita areas of Iraq (Matskasi 1980) are kept in the collection of HNHM and those of collected in Bjil village, Akre District in north- ern Iraq will be deposited in BRCB. RR: Three individuals were found roosting in a tunnel near Mawat (Su-14). Family: Hipposideridae Geoffrey’s Trident Leaf- nosed Bat Asellia trideus (E. Ge- offroy, 1813) Subspecies: A. t. murraiami (Anderson, 1881). Distribution: Common in deserts and arid steppes and wadis of central Iraq. Recorded from: Mousel (Wettstein 191 3); Al-Falluja and “Lake” Aqar Quf (Cheesman 1 920); Baghdad (Sanborn 1940; Hubbard 1955); A I Qa-eem near the Syrian border (Weber 1955); between Ar Ramadi and Habbaniya and from Uqhaidhir (Hamson 1 956); Mustan- siriyah in Baghdad (Hatt 1959); recorded at many local- ities by Al-Robaae (1966), Shamsuddin & Mohammad ( 1978), and Nadachowski et al. ( 1990); at Sheikh Hadid sink hole near Haditha by Al-Sheikhly (2012). Family: Molossidae European Free-tailed Bat Tadarida teiiiotis (Rafmesque, 1814) Subspecies: T. t. nieppelli (Temminck, 1826), with pale grey pelage colour. Distribution: Uncommon, confined to the rocky teirain and crevices in western Iraq. Recorded from: Between Ar Ra- madi and Habbaniya (Hanison 1956b; Hamson & Bates 1991). Family: Vespertilionidae Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis Myotis blythii (Tomes, 1 857) Subspecies: M. h. o/nnr/ (Thomas, 1906). Distribution: Confined to the caverns of northern moun- tains. Recorded from: Hazar Mard caves (Bate 1930; Hatt 1959); Diyana and near Baradust (Sanborn 1940; Hani- son & Bates 1991 ). Long-fingered Myotis Mvotis capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837) Subspecies: M. c. hureschi (Heinrich, 1936). Distribution: Uncertain; a male individual reported from the ruined city of Kish: this is the only confimied occur- rence (Sanborn 1956; Hatt 1959; Harrison 1964; Hani- son & Bates 1991 ). Geoffroy’s Myotis Mvotis emarginatiis (E. Geoffroy, 1806) Subspecies: As no voucher specimens exist, the Iraqi pop- ulation can not be assigned to any named subspecies. Distribution: Niazi (1976: 172) reported the occurrence of this species in the mid-west part of Iraq but no exact locality or any detailed description was given. Two indi- viduals were observed and photographed in Bjil village (Akre District, northern Iraq): this represents the only record for Iraq (Al-Sheikhly et al. 2015). Natterer’s Myotis Myotis nattereri (Kuhl, 1817) Subspecies: Iraqi individuals investigated by Rzebik- Kowalska et al. ( 1978) were clearly smaller than the ge- ographically closest and related taxon M. nattereri arax- eniis (= Myotis schauhi) but differed in certain cranio-den- tal traits from the other subspecies of M. nattereri. These individuals could be representative of a distinct taxon. Distribution: Confined to the rocky caverns of the moun- tains of northern Iraq. Recorded from Gali Ali Beg, which is the only confirmed occurrence (Rzebik-Kowalska et al. 1978; Harrison & Bates 1991). Botta’s Serotine Eptesiciis hottae (Peters, 1869) Subspecies: E. h. hingstoni (Thomas, 1919), restricted to central and southern Iraq; Distribution: Widespread. Recorded from: Basra, Bagh- dad, Nasiriyah, Karbal’a (Hatt 1959); Habbaniya (Harri- son 1956b); Ramadi and Sulaymaniyah (Felten 1971 ); 35 km N An-Najaf, Al-Mahmudiya, Baqubah, and Al-Khalis (Nader & Kock 1990a). Anatolian Serotine Eptesiciis anatolicus (Felten, 1971 ) The Anatolian Serotine, fonnerly regarded as subspecies of E. bottae has recently been elevated to the rank of species on the basis of combined evidences derived from cranial moiphology, molecular DNA markers, and echolo- cation characteristics (Juste et al. 2013). Distribution: Confined to the mountains and foothills of central and northern Iraq. Recorded from: Ser Amadia and Kani Mase (Harrison 1956a; Harrison & Bates 1991 ); Al- Alam (Al-Sheikhly 2012). Sind Serotine Rhyneptesiciis nasiitiis (Dobson, 1877) Subspecies: R. n. pelliicens (Thomas, 1906). Rhyneptesi- ens was re-elevated as a separate genus by Juste et al. (2013) on craniodental and phylogenetic grounds. Distribution: Inhabits ruins and old buildings of central and southern Iraq. Recorded from: Zubeir and Shaiba as Eptesiciis n. pelliicens (Harrison 1964); Basra and Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 ©ZFMK 40 Omar F. Al-Sheikhly et al. Fig. 2. Wolf hunting in Iraq, Photo © Hameed A. Al-Habash/ Iraqi Hunting Association. Nasiriya (Sanborn 1940); Qalat Salih and Al Miqdadiyah (Nader 1971; Hamson & Bates 1991). Kiihl’s Pipistrelle Pipistrellus (Pipistrelliis) kiihlii (Kuhl, 1817) Subspecies; P. k. ikhwanius (Cheesman & Hinton, 1924), with pale desert pelage. Distribution: Abundant and ubiquitous. Recorded from: Karbala, Baghdad, Mousel, Qalat Sharqat, Mejadin, and Bahrka (Wettstein 1913); Amara, Baghdad, and Sheik Saad (Cheesman 1920); Baghdad, Amara marshes. Shaikh Falih as Saihud’s camp, A 1 Halfayah, Balad, Sinjar, Badra, Diltawa, An Nasiriya, Karbala, and Rustamiyah Fann near Baghdad (Sanborn 1940); Baghdad, Al Qa-eem, the pipeline station T-1 and in Dhibban near Habbaniya (We- ber 1955); Shaiba, Ramadi marshes, south ofAmiriya, Ra- madi-Habbaniya, Basra, Al Falluja, and Uqhaidhir (Har- rison 1956b); Baghdad (Hatt 1959); Specimens from Fao, Kut as Sayyid, Basra, Khaniqin, Wadia south of Majar al Kabir of Amara, and from Ain Zalah 45 km S Mousel res- ident to the collection of the BMNH (Hamsonl964); recorded also by Shamsuddin & Mohammad ( 1978) and Al-Shenawi et al. ( 1982). RR: Ramadi (An- 1 3); Al-Adhamiyah; Jadriyah; Al- Yannook (B-13); Gamiat Ali and Hammar Marsh (Ba-14). RiippelFs Pipistrelle Vcmsonia riieppellii (Fischer, 1829) Subspecies: V. r. coxi (Thomas, 1919), with sandy-buff dorsal pelage. Vcmsonia was elevated to genus level by Koubinova et al. (2013) based on genetic data. Distribution: Uncommon, inhabits settlements and ruins of central and southern Iraq. Recorded from: Al-Ad- hamiyah (Nader 1971 ); Basra and at Beit Sheikh Mahom- mad at the marshes of Chahala in Amara: these specimens are resident to BMNH collection (Cheesman 1920; Hatt 1959; Hamson 1964); Agergoof (Harrison & Bates 1991 ). Hemprich’s Desert Bat Otonycteris hemprichii (Peters, 1859) Subspecies: O. h. petersi (Anderson & de Winton, 1902), in the eastern Euphrates basin and in central and south- ern Iraq; O. h. jin (Cheesman & Hinton, 1924), confined to the desert habitat of both extreme western and south- western Iraq. Distribution: Local, confined to arid steppes and rocky deserts of central and southern Iraq. Recorded from: Fao (Kinnear 1916) as well as by Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1951), who listed the taxon as O. petersi, probably a syn- onym of hemprichi (Hatt 1959); Chamchamal-Jamio val- ley in Kurkuk Liwa (Nader & Kock 1983; Hairison & Bates 1991); Al-Cidr and Himreen foothills (Al-Sheikhly 2012). Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 (1): 33-58 ©ZFMK Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq 41 Family: Miniopteridae Pallid Long-fingered Bat Miniopterus paUidus (Thomas, 1907) Recorded as Miniopterus schreihersii (Kuhl, 1 8 1 7 ) by Halt ( 1959) and Harrison & Bates ( 1991 ). Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA studies corroborated by slight variations in size, wing shape, and echolocation call parameters sug- gested that M. pallidus should be considered as full species (Furman et al. 2010a, b). Distribution: Uncertain, confined to the mountain caves of the extreme northern Iraq. Reported from: Ser Amadia (type locality of M. p. piilcher. Harrison 1956), the only record for Iraq (Harrison 1964; Harrison & Bates 1991 ). Order Carnivora Family: Canidae Golden Jackal Canis aureus (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: C. a. aureus (Linnaeus, 1758), along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; C. a. syriaciis (Hemprich & Ehren- berg, 1833), restricted to the desert and arid lands of the extreme western Iraq, yet probably present also in north- ern Iraq. Distribution: Abundant along the river riparians, cultivat- ed land, marshes, mountains and arid lands. Canis a. au- reus recorded from: Babylon (Jebb 1908); Sheik Saad (Cheesman 1920); Jezira, c. 40 km W Mousel (Boden- heimer 1959); Habbaniya, Al Falluja and Saman'a (Har- rison 1959); Basra, Diyala and Hilla (Halt 1959); the marshes near Majar (Thesiger 1964); Chebaeish (Haba 2009); Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013); Hawraman Moun- tain (Lahony et al. 2013). Specimens collected in Legait, Shahraban, Baghdad, Amara, near Kut, Shaiba, Fao and Saqiawiya are included in the collection of the BMNH (Hanison & Bates 1991 ). Canis a. syriacus recorded from: Rutba and Hussaiba (Al-Sheikhly 2012). RR: Canis a. aureus, abundant in Al-Alam ( Sa- 1 3 ); Anah; Hit (An- 13); Mashab and Hammar Marsh (Ba-14). Gray Wolf Canis lupus (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: C. /. pallipes (Sykes, 1831), confined to the northern mountains and on eastern bank of the Euphrates River; C. /. arahs (Pocock, 1934), restricted to the arid steppes and desert of western and south-western Iraq. Distribution: Widespread, Canis 1. pallipes recorded from: Al-Shaiba and At Tanumah (Cheesman 1 920); Ur (Pocock 1935); Rawanduz, Diyala, Sulaymaniyah, and Khaniqin (Sanborn 1940); Sinjar, Karadagh and umm al-Kahab Wells (Felid 1954); Erbil Liwa, near Jarmo, east Kurkuk Liwa, Lake Habbaniya and near Haditha (Hatt 1959); Jazi- ra, c. 40 km W Mousel (Bodenheimer 1959); near Majar (Thesiger 1964); Central and Hammar Marsh (Haba 2009); Makhmore, Jabal Himreen, Jabal Makhool, and Wadi Al-Tharthar (Al-Sheikhly 2012); Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013). Canis 1. arahs recorded from: Rutba (Al- Sheikhly 2012b). RR: Canis 1. pallipes, Jabal Himreen (Di- 13; 14) (Fig. 2). Red Fox Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: V. v. arahica (Thomas, 1902), around marsh- es, deserts, and arid steppes of central and southern Iraq; Vulpes r: flavescens (Gray, 1843), restricted to the foothills and mountains of northem Iraq. Distribution: Widespread. Vulpes i’. arahica. Recorded from: Qalat Luqait, Shatt al Adhaim, and Basra (Cheesman 1920); Hilla, Baghdad, and Baquba (Hatt 1959); Saqiawiya, Tikrit, Fort Ukhaidir, Haur al Hasa, Falluja, and Tar al Hazar north west of Iraq ( Hairison 1968). Spec- imens collected in Baghdad, Falluja, and Ctesiphon are included in BMNH collection (Handson & Bates 1991); Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013); Hawraman Mountain (La- hony et al. 2013). Vulpes v. flavescens recorded from: Kurkuk, Rawanduz and Jarmo (Hatt 1959); near Amadia (Hairison 1959), Himreen foothills (Al-Sheikhly 2012). RR: Vulpes v. arahica recorded from Jadriyah and- Yarmook districts (Ba-13); Hila and Dalmaj (Qa- \M-Vulpes V. flavescens recorded from: Ramadi (An- 13); Jabal Himreen (Sa-13). RiippeH’s Fox Vulpes rueppellii (Schinz, 1825) Subspecies: V. r sahaea (Pocock, 1934). Distribution: Restricted to the arid steppes and desert of western and south-western Iraq. Recorded from: Haditha (Hatt 1959); Khan Al-Baghdadi (N-SB 2008); Massad Al- Rutba, Hussaiba, Ga’ara, Wadi Horan ( 10 km E Hadithah), Nikheab, and Khan Al-Baghdadi (Al-Sheikhly 2012). RR: c. 30 km south of Rahaliya - Karbal’a desert (An- 14) (Fig. 3). Fig. 3. Adult male RiippePs Fox Vulpes rueppellii, a carni- vore confined to the desert habitat in western Iraq. Photo © Omar F. Al-Sheikhly 2014. Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 ©ZFMK 42 Omar F. Al-Sheikhly et al. Fennec FoxVulpes zerda (Zimmermann, 1780) Subspecies: V. z. zerda (Zimmemrann, 1780). Distribution: Uncertain. Mahdi & George (1969) report- ed the likely occuiTence of this species in Iraq. Al-Robaae ( 1982) collected an individual near Jabal Sanam SW of Basra, extreme southern Iraq. Family: Ursidae Brown Bear Ursiis arctos (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: U. a. syriaciis (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828). While bears in northern Iraq show brown-greyish pelage those inhabiting the district of Jilu are known for their pale fur. Nevertheless, individual variation and/or seasonal change in the pelage colour may occur. Distribution: Confined to the mountains of extreme north- ern Iraq. Recorded from: Iraqi-Turkish frontier region ( Wigram & Wigram 1914); Bradost Mountain north of Er- bil Liwa, east of Sulaymaniyah (Halt 1959); north east of Kurkuk (McLellan & Garshelis 2006); QaraDaq (Raza 2013). RR: An adult bear was killed by locals nearby Duhok (Du- 13); a specimen from the Zagros Mountain is included in the collection of the BRCB; two adult males collected in Haji Omran are presently kept at BZG. Family: Mustelidae Beech Marten Martes foina (Erxleben, 1777) Subspecies: M. f. syriaca (Nehring, 1902). Distribution: Confined to the mountains of northern Iraq. Recorded from: Iraq-Iran border (Cheesman 1920); Rawanduz (Sanbom 1940); Bradost Mountain (Field 1955); Narwa (Hamson 1956a); Hawraman Mountain (Lahony et al. 2013). Marbled Polecat Vonuela peregusna {GiddenstMt, 1770) Subspecies; V. p. syriaca (Pocock, 1936), with individual variations in pelage color and pattern. Distribution: Restricted to the high grounds of Mousel. Recorded from: c. 64 km S Mousel (Pocock 1936); Mousel (Halt 1959); 45 kmN Mousel (Allouse 1954; Har- rison 1968; Hamson & Bates 1991); Hawraman Moun- tain (Lahony et al. 2013). Least Weasel Miistela nivalis (Linnaeus, 1766) Subspecies: Probably M. n. boccamela (Bechstein, 1800). Distribution: Confined to the mountains of northern Iraq. Hatt (1959) did not find any definitive occun'ence of the species, but he received hunters’ reports where the pres- ence of Weasel-like animals at Erbil Eiwa (Zagros Moun- tain) was recorded. Confinned record from Shirin Moun- tain in Barzan area (Raza 2013); Hawraman Mountain (Lahony et al. 2013). Middle East Badger canescens (Blanford, 1875) Distribution: Confined to the mountains of northern Iraq, with local distribution in central Iraq. Recorded from: Qali Ali Beg (Sanbom 1940); Baghdad (Hatt 1959); 20 km N Shaqlawa (Smielowski 1978); Hawraman Mountain (La- hony et al. 2013). RR: Barzan Area (Er-14); Chami-reazan area (Su-14). Honey Badger Mellivora capensis (Schreber, 1776) Subspecies: M .c. wilsoni (Cheesman, 1920). Distribution: Widespread in the desert and arid steppes of central and southern Iraq. Recorded from: Baksai (Cheesman 1920); An Nuhaidam (Hamison 1959); T1 sta- tion and Rawa (Hatt 1959); Abu Khasib (Anon 1966); Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013). Specimens from Fuluja are included in the collection of the BMNH (Hamison & Bates 1991). RR: Ga’ara and Massad Al-Rutba (An- 13); Nugratt Al- Salman (Mu- 14). European Otter Lutra liitra (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: L. 1. seistanica (Birula, 1912). Distribution: Lakes, streams, tributaries, and marshes of Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Recorded from: Amara (Cheesman 1920); Qalat Salih (Sanbom 1940); Baghdad and Hindiya (Hatt 1959); Central marshes, vicinity of Al- Maimona, Musharah River, Tanniya, Al-Alam, Samama Lake, Himreen, Khan Al-Baghdadi, Haditha, Der- bendikhan, Dukan, Little Zab, Barzan and TaqTaq (Al- Sheikhly & Nader 2013); recorded also in Mashab in east- ern Hammar Marsh by Abass (2013). Specimens from Abusakhair (South of Hor Al-Hammar Marsh) are includ- ed in the collection of the BMNH (Hamison & Bates 1991). Recent records from Mashab River in eastern Ham- mar Marsh (Al-Sheikhly et al. 2014). RR: Mashab and Salal River (Ba-14); Taq Taq (Er-14). Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata (I. Geoffrey Saint-Hilaire, 1826) Subspecies: L. p. maxwelli (Hayman, 1956). Distribution: Confined to the dense reed beds of the south- ern marshes; one record from northern Iraq (Kurdistan). Recorded from: Abusakhair and Azair (Hayman 1956; Maxwell 1957, 1960); Azair by (Hatt 1959); TaqTaq (Omer et al. 2012); Fao-Rass Al-Beisha, Abu Al-Khasib and Umm Al Rassas, Abu Ajaj-Hor Al-Hammar, Umm Al- Na’aj lake-Hawizeh, and TaqTaq (Al-Sheikhly & Nader 2013; Al-Sheikhly et al. 2014). Family: Herpestidae Small Asian Mongoose Herpestes javanicus (E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818) Subspecies: H. a. pallipes (Blyth, 1845). Distribution: Widespread along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Recorded from: Basra (Cheesman 1920); Amara (Pitman 1922); Baghdad (Sanbom 1940); Hilla and Mousel (Hatt 1959); Habbaniya (Hamdson 1959); Zeban, Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 (1): 33-58 ®ZFMK Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq 43 c. 32 km from Falluja (Harrison 1968); Chebacish (Haba 2009); many localities Iraq (Al-Sheikhly & Mallon 2013); Al-Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013). RR; Recorded from many sites in Al-Hammar Marsh (Ba- 14); Chebaeish (Th-14); Hawizeh (Ma-14). Indian Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsi (E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818) Subspecies: H. e. fernigiueits (Blanford, 1874) Distribution: Local, in the rocky highlands of northern and central Iraq; however, it may be found in southern Iraq as well. Recorded from: Qashqulai and near Al-Alam (Al- Sheikhly & Mallon 2013). RR: Near TaqTaq (Er-14). Family: Hyaenidae Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: H. /;. syriaca (Matschie, 1900). Pocock ( 1934) suggested that H. h. syriaca may be synonym of H. h. hyaena. Distribution: Common in the lowlands of central and southern Iraq; uncommon in the northern mountains. Recorded from: Ur, Basra and Falluja (Cheesman 1920); between Amara and Sheikh Saad (Capper 1921 ); Falluja, Nahrwan, and Ad Dawr (Pitman 1922); Tyb River, Jabal Hamrin, and Ur (Pocock 1941 ); Bradost Mountain (Field 1955); near Haditha (Lawrence 1956); near Samarra (Har- rison 1959); Jezira, c. 40 km W Mousel (Bodenheimer 1959); Mansuriya al Shatt (Halt 1959); Erbil Liwa, Cte- siphon, Chamchamal, Baghdad, Baquba, Habbaniya, Ra- madi and Sulaymaniya (Hairison 1968); Khan Al-Bagh- dadi (N-SB 2008; 2009); near Hammar Marsh (Haba 2009); Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013). RR: Al-Ga’ara, Rutba (An-13). Family: Felidae Wild Cat Felis silvestris (Schreber, 1777) Subspecies: F. s. nesterovi (Birula, 1916), confined to the forests and wooded valleys of northern Iraq; Felis s. ira- ki (Cheesman, 1921), restricted to the marshes and arid steppes of central and southern Iraq. Distribution: Wood- ed mountains, rooky steppes, and nearby marshes; nev- ertheless, the species appears to be rare. Felis s. iraki was recorded from: Sheikh Saad (Cheesman 1920); Baghdad and Diwaniya (Halt 1959). Felis s. nesterovi was record- ed from Nachr-Chasasch (Handson 1968; Hanison & Bates 1991) and Peramagroon (Raza et al. 2012). RR: Felis s. iraki near Habbaniya (An- 13); Auda Marsh (Ma-14). Jungle Cat Felis chans (Schreber, 1777) Subspecies: F. c. fiirax (de, Winton, 1898), although inter- mediation with F. c. chans (Giildenstadt, 1776) may oc- cur. Distribution: Widespread along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Recorded from: Amara, Qalat Salih, Madij, and Shahraban (Cheesman 1920); between Al-Quma and Azir, Shatt al Adhaim, and Ad Dawr (Pitman 1922); Hilla Desert (Sanborn 1 940); Abu Ghreb, near Akkarkuf (Bodenheimer 1959); Hila and Dujail (Hatt 1959); Khan Al-Baghdadi (N- SB 2008; 2009); Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013). Speci- mens collected in Mousel, Baghdad, Ramadi, and Hab- baniya are included in the collections of the BMNH and HZM (Harrison 1968). RR: Hammar Marsh (Ba-14). Sand Cat Felis niargarita (Loche, 1858) Subspecies: F. m.harrisoni (Hemmer, Grubb and Groves, 1976). Distribution: Confined to the desert and arid steppes of south western Iraq. Recorded from W Al-Najaf city and Al-Jufaira oasis in the desert of Al-Najaf Province (Mo- hammad et al. 2013). RR: Takhadid (Mu-14) (Fig. 4). Fig. 4. Adult male Sand Cat Felis margarita trapped in Mu- thana Province in south-western Iraq. Photo © Omar F. Al-Shei- khly 2014. Caracal Caracal caracal (Schreber, 1776) Subspecies: C. c. sclnnifzi {Matschie, 1912). Distribution: Confined to the desert and arid steppes of the extreme western and southern Iraq. Recorded from: Basra (Metaxas 1891); 45 km from Rutba (Corkill 1930). Uncertain records from southern and western deserts of Iraq (Thalen 1975). Reported by locals from Faidhatt Al- Massad (Al-Sheikhly 2012). RR: Hunters’ reports from Ain Al-Faras in the Tharthar Valley (An- 1 3). Eurasian Lynx Lynx lynx (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: L. /. dinniki {Satunin, 1915). Distribution: Restricted to the forested mountains of ex- treme northern Iraq; it would appear to be rare. Record- ed from: Zakho and Erbil Liwa (Hatt 1959; Hamson & Bates 1991); Barzan area (Raza 2013). Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 (1): 33-58 ®ZFMK 44 Omar F. Al-Sheikhly et al. Leopard Pantheni parchis (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: P. p. saxicolor {Pocock, 1927). Distribution: Rare, restricted to the forested mountains of extreme northern Iraq. Recorded from: near Rawa (Musil 1927); Aqra and Rowanduz (Pocock 1930); Jabal Bradost (Field 1955); Harir Dagh (Hatt 1959); Bamur Harrison (1968); Murdka of Darbandikhan, Mandili, and QaraDag (Al-Sheikhly 2012b); QaraDag (Raza et al. 2012). RR: Suran Area (Du-13). Cheetah Acinonyx Jubatiis (Schreber, 1775) Subspecies: rt.y. ve)iaticiis {Gr'\tT\{h, 1821). Distribution: Probably extinct. Recorded from: near Bu- saiya (W Basra southem desert), K3 station, and HI and H2 pumping stations in Syrian Desert (Corkill 1929); near Iraq-Saudi Arabia-Jordan borders (Hatt 1959; Hamson & Bates 1991 ). Order Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Wild Goat Capra aegagriis (Erxieben, 1777) Subspecies: C. a. aegagriis (Erxieben, Mil). Distribution: Confined to the mountain range of north- eastern Iraq: the largest population is in the area of Barzan. Recorded from: Bradost, Barzan near Aqra, and near Za- witta (Layard 1852); Baradost and Sarsank (Field 1951); Safin Dagh, Zagarta, and Jabal Sinjar (Hatt 1959); Cham- chamal Valley (Hoogstraal & Kaiser 1958); near Shaqlawa, Safin Dagh, Harir Dagh, Erbil Liwa, Nahiya, near Diyana, Rawandoz, and near Darbandikhan (Harri- son 1968; Harrison & Bates 1991); Barazan, Qara Dag Mountain; Peramagroon Mountain (Al-Sheikhly 2012b); Qara Dag Mountain and Peramagroon Mountain (Raza 2013). Specimens collected in Berat Dag, Mousl Liwa, Ja- bal Zagarta, Sugrimah Dagh, and Kurkuk Liwa are resi- dent to the collection of the FMNH (Sanborn 1940). Re- cent observations with remarkable range extention were made in Al-Qosh in northwestern Mousel (Ali N. Salman pers. comm. 2014). Mouflon Ovis orieiitalis (Gmelin, 1774) Subspecies: O. o. gnielini (Blyth, 1841). Distribution: Uncommon, restricted to the highlands of eastern and north-eastern Iraq. Recorded from: Zagros Mountain and mountains of Derbendiklian (Harrison 1968; Nadler et al.l971; Hamson & Bates 1991 ); Jabal Himreen near Mandli in Diyala (Al-Sheikhly 2012b). Specimens collected in Kanispika, Baranand Dagh are resident to the collection of the FMNH (Hatt 1959). Arabian Oryx Oiyx leiicoiyx (Pallas, 1777) Subspecies: O. I. leucoiyx (PaWas, Mil). Distribution: Probably extinct; the last individual was shot in Maqil in southern Iraq in 1914 and kept in collection at the BMNH (Hatt 1959). Specimens known from Iraq yet it is unclear if they have occurred on the eastern side of the Euphrates River (Harrison 1968; Al-Sheikhly 2012c). Saudi Gazelle Gazella saiidiva (CaiTuthers & Schwarz, 1935) Subspecies: this species is distinct from Dorcas Gazelle (G. dorcas) according to Groves (1988). Status reviewed by Mallon & Kingswood (2001 ). Distribution: Uncertain, probably extinct in the wild. There is only one record from the Ramadi-Rutba road in west- ern Iraqi desert (Harrison 1968; Harrison & Bates 1991; Al-Sheikhly 2012c). A single specimen from southem Iraq was assigned to G. siihgiittiirosa iiiarica (Mallon & Kingswood 2001 ). Goitred Gazelle Gazella siibgiittiirosa (Guldenstaedt, 1780) Subspecies: G. s. inarica (Thomas, 1 897), confined to the desert and arid steppes in western and southem Iraq; G. s. siibgiittiirosa (Guldenstaedt, 1780) inhabits steppes of northern and eastern Iraq. Distribution: Widspread. Recorded from: Euphrates val- ley (Lydekker & Blaine 1914); Samarra, Basra, Nasiriyah, and Amara, where was reported as G. s. inarica (Cheesman 1920; Mallon & Kingswood, 2001); Sheikh Saad and NE Baghdad (Dollman & Burlace 1 935); Cham- chamal (Hoogstraal & Kaiser 1958; Hamison 1968); Faid- hat Al-Massad, Faidhat Al-Dhaba’a, Al-Dheabeat, Al- Jaz- era Area near Haditha, Rutba, Al Qa- eem, Jabal Makhool, Al-Sherqat, Baiji, Jabal Sinjar, Rabe’ea; Maklrmoor, Ja- bal Himreen, Kafri, Kalar, Jalwla, Mandli, Badra, Khanaqeen, and Ser Qella at Garmyan area (Al-Sheikhly 2012c). Specimens collected in Erbil and Kurkuk are in- cluded in the collection of the BMNH (Hatt 1959). Spec- imens from Basra are resident to the collection of the BNHS, while those collected in Kurkuk, Baghdad, and Hi- naidia are included in the collection of the FMNH (Har- rison 1968). RR: Small herds reported from Ganniyan area (near Kalar), assigned to G. s. siibgiittiirosa (Su-14). Family: Ceiwidae Fallow Deer Daina daina (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: D. d. mesopotainica (Brooke, 1875). Distribution: Rare, a few individuals may still survive in the mountains of the extreme north eastern Iraq. Record- ed from: Zakho (Ellemian & Morrison-Scott 1951); Bra- dost Mountain (Field 1955); between Maidan and Halab- ja (Harrison 1968; Hamison & Bates 1991). Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 (1): 33-58 ©ZFMK Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq 45 European Roe Deer Capreoliis capreoliis {Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: C. c. coxi (Clieesman & Hinton, 1923). Distribution: Confined to the forested nrountains of the ex- treme northern Iraq. Recorded from: Harir Dagh and Mer- gasor (Hatt 1959). Subspecies C. c. coxi was described by Cheesman & Hinton ( 1923) on the basis of individuals ob- served in Zakho and Harir west of Rawandoz (Harrison 1968). RR: Small herd reported from Barzan Area (M. Taib, Iraq, pers. comm. 2014). Family: Suidae Wild Boar Sus scrofa (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: S. s. attiki (Thomas, 1912). Distribution: Abundant, mainly along the Tigris and Eu- phrates Rivers and the southem marshes. Recorded from: Diyala, Kut al Imara, Baghdad, Ad Dawr, and Shatt al Ad- haim (Pittman 1922); Amara, Khaniqin, and Baradost (Sanborn 1940); Hawizeh (Drower 1949); Tigris River, south of Amara (Page 1954); north and south of Hilla and Mansuriyah al Shatt (Hatt 1959); near Majar, Chahala and Masharia Rivers, and Auaisij (Thesiger 1 964); Lake Hab- baniya, Hadithah, Badra, Sulaymaniyah, and Sarsank (Harrison 1968); Fao and Hammar Marsh (Haba 2009); east of Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013); Hawraman Moun- tain (Lahony et al. 2013). Thesiger ( 1954) hunted 488 pigs in two years around Al-Hammar Marsh. Specimens col- lected in Baghdad and Baquba are resident to the BMNH, while those collected in K.haniqin, Wadi Hostoc- ki, Towaka, Zharir, Baradost, Chahala near Amara, and 30 km N Hilla are resident to the UoM (Hairison & Bates 1991). RR: Recorded from 33 sites thrghout Iraq during 2013- 2014. Order Lagoinorpha Family: Leporidae Cape Hare Lepiis capensis (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: L. c. arcihicus (Ehrenberg, 1833). Distribution: Widespread, confined to the desert and arid steppes west of the Euphrates River. Ellennan & Morri- son-Scott (1951) reported the occunence of this hare in Kuwait. Harrison & Bates ( 1991 ) reported an individual from Saqiawiya in western Iraq; recorded also from Cen- tral and Al-Hammar marshes (Haba 2009; Abass 2013); Hawraman Mountain (Lahony et al. 2013). RR: Rutba, Ga’ara, and Al-Qa-eem (An- 13); Teeb (My- 13). European Hare Lepiis (Eulagos) europaeus (Pallas, 1778) Subspecies:/,, e. connor/ (Robinson, 1918), in the steppe, grassland, and foothill east of the Euphrates River; L. e. syriacus (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1832), confined to the arid steppes of the extreme north western Iraq. Distribution: Widespread. Recorded from: Hindiya, Kut al Imara, Shatt al Adhaim, Jalam, the frontier of Arabia, the plain north of SamaiTa, Al Falluja, Hit, Amara, Al Ku- mait on the Tigris, Shahraban, and Twin Canals (Cheesman 1920); along the Tigris north of Ad Dam (Pit- man 1922); Baghdad and from Camp Rashid on its out- skirts (Sanborn 1940); Baghdad and Hilla (Hubbard 1955); Hilla, Mansuriya al Shatt, and Habbaniya (Hatt 1959); Chebaeish (Haba 2009). RR: L. e. connori from Hor Dalmaj (Qa-13), Bahr Al-mil- ih ( Ka- 13);/-. e. syhacns from 1 7 km NW Rutba (An- 1 3 ). Order Rodentia Family: Sciuridae Caucasian Squirrel Sciuriis (Teues) cmomaliis (Gmelin, 1778) Subspecies: 5. a. pallesceus (Gray 1867), with seasonal variation in pelage colour. Distribution: Abundant in the forested mountains of north- ern Iraq. Recorded from many localities in north eastern Iraq (Hatt 1959); Penjwin (Petter 1961); Koshek (Von Lehman 1966); Derbendikhan Dam (Hairison & Bates 1991); Hawraman Mountain (Lahony et al. 2013). RR: Recoded from 34 sites in northern Iraq (12-14). Family: Hystricidae Indian Crested Porcupine Hystrix (Hystrix) iiuiica (Kerr, 1792) Subspecies: H. i. iiulica (Kerr 1792). Distribution: Abundant along the Tigris and Euphrates val- leys, deserts and arid steppes, and mountains of northern Iraq. Recorded from many localities by Hatt ( 1959), Har- rison (1959), Smielowski (1978), Nadachowski et al. (1990) and Kadhim (1997); Peramagroon (Raza et al 2012); Hawraman Mountain (Lahony et al. 2013). RR: Jabal Makhool, Al-Alam, Al-Cidir, Al-Tharthar Val- ley (Sa-13); Rutba, Ga’ara, Wadi Horan, Khan Al-Bagh- dadi, Al-Jezera (An- 13); .labal Himreen and near Hor Shwija (Di-13), Hor Dalmaj (Qa-13); Central Marshes (Th-14). Family: Dipodidae Euphrates Jerboa AUaclaga (Puralaciaga) eiipliratica (Thomas, 1881) Subspecies: /4. e. eitphrafica (Thomas, 1881). Distribution: Relatively local in central and southern Iraq. Records were provided by Hanison ( 1959), Hatt ( 1959), Al-Robaac (1976), Kadhim & Wahid (1986) and Nada- chowski ct al. (1990). RR: Western Hammar Marsh (Th-13). Lesser Egyptian Jerboa Jacnhisjaciiliis (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: J. j. loftusi ( Blanford, 1 875 ), in the arid steppe of the eastern Euphrates basin; ,/. /. vocater (Thomas, Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 (1 ): 33-58 ®ZFMK 46 Omar F. Al-Sheikhly et al. 1921), in western and southern desert of Iraqi. Distribution: Widespread, in the desert and rocky steppes of central and southern Iraq. Recorded from: Az Zubeir (Ellenuan & Morrison-Scott 1951 ); W Basra (Hatt 1959); 40 km E Rutba, Elatra (Nadachowski et al. 1990); Elaur al Hasa, S Habbaniya (Harrison & Bates 1991 ); Al-Cidir (Al-Sheikhly 2013). RR: Wadi Al-Tharthar (An- 1 3). Family: Gliridae Large-eared Garden Dormouse Eliomys melanunis (Wag- ner 1840) Subspecies: E. in. melanunis (Wagner, 1840). Distribution: Restricted to the rocky steppe of north west- ern Iraq. Recorded from: Hatra (Nadachowski et al. 1978); from c. 90 km SW of Mousel (Harrison & Bates 1991). Forest Dormouse Diyomys nitediila (Pallas, 1779) Subspecies: Possibly close to the Iranian subspecies D. n. (Blanford. 1875). Distribution: Confined to the Oak forests of Kurdistan. Recorded from: Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq (Jawdat 1977; Harrison & Bates 1991 ). Family: Spalacidae Middle East Blind Mole Rat Nannospalax ehrenbergi (Nehring, 1898) Iraqi populations of this variable taxon belong to the same karyotype (Co§kun et al. 2012). Although N. ehrenbergi is better regarded as a superspecies comprising several bi- ological species (Hadid et al. 2012), uncertainty remains about the taxonomic rank as well as the nomenclature of the Iraqi karyotype, which is widely distributed also in southeastern Anatolia. Distribution: Found in the steppe of northern Iraq. First description provided by Bate ( 1930), who reported bones of N. ehrenbergi from the Hazar Mard caves near Sulay- maniyah. Also recorded by Reed ( 1 958) and Petter (1961) (Hairison & Bates 1991). Individuals collected in Ser Amadiya, Tim near Bermaneh (Harrison 1956) and Sarsank (Hatt 1959) were also assigned to this species. Re- cently recorded as Spalax leucodon from Hawraman Mts. (Fahony et al. 2013). The distribution in Iraq is sum- marised by Co§kun et al. (2012). Family: Muridae Eastern Broad-toothed Field Mouse Apodennis mystaci- niis (Danford & Alston 1877) Subspecies: A. m. mystaciniis (Danford & Alston, 1877). Distribution: Confined to the Oak forests and wooded roclcy cliffs of northern Iraq. Recorded from: Sarsank (Hatt 1959); Qali Ali Beg (Nadachowski et al. 1990; Harrison & Bates 1991 ). Yellow-necked Field Mouse Apodennis flavicollis (Mel- chior, 1834) Subspecies; A. f. argyropnloi (Heptner, 1948). Distribution: Confined to the Oak forests of northern Iraq. Recorded from: Haj Onuan and Sarsank (Hatt 1959); Sala- hadin and Sulaymaniyah (Al-Shenawi et al. 1982; Harri- son & Bates 1991 ). Steppe Field }Aoy\%Q Apodennis witherbyi (Thomas, 1902) Subspecies: May be the species is represented by the sam- ple collected in Qazvin (northern Iraq), which separated electrophoretically from both A. sylvaticiis and A. flavi- collis. To date, however, the specimens from Qazvin are considered closer to the latter (Darviche et al. 1979). Distribution; Confined to the rocky mountain slopes of the extreme northern Iraq. Harrison (1956) reported this species from Ser Amadiya as A. sylvaticiis. Hatt (1959) confirmed its occurrence at the same locality. Also record- ed by Petter ( 1961 ) (Harrison & Bates 1991 ). Roof Rat Rattiis rattiis (Finnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: R. r. rattiis (Finnaeus, 1758). Distribution: Widespread, an urban pests mainly in settle- ments along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and their trib- utaries. Recorded from many localities in central and southern Iraq (Cheesman 1920; Hatt 1959; Nader 1968b; Al-Shenawi et al. 1982). RR: Old Rasafa; Yarmook (B-13; 14). Brown Rat Rattiis norvegiciis (Berkonhout, 1769) Subspecies: R. n. noixegiciis (Berkonhout, 1769). Distribution: Widespread, mainly along the Tigris and Eu- phrates Rivers and their tributaries. Recorded from; Bas- ra (Cheesman 1920; Hatt 1959); Baghdad (Kadhim et al. 1979; Al-Shenawi et al. 1982; Harrison & Bates 1991); Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013). RR: 13 localities in Baghdad (B-13); Mashab River and Garmatt Ali (Ba-14). House Mouse Mas (Mas) niiisciiliis (Finnaeus, 1758) Subspecies: M. m. praetextiis (Brants, 1827) and M. in. bactrianus (Blyth, 1846) occur in both eastern and west- ern Iraq (Harrison 1972). However, further investigation is required. Distribution: Widespread. Recorded from: Sinn Abtar and Twin Canals from Kut al Imara, Basra, Shaikh Saad, and Amara (Cheesman 1920); Habbaniyah, Baghdad, Sarsank, K-3, Hilla, Haj Omran, the region of Salahuddin, and Jar- mo (Hatt 1959); Chebaeish and Ashar (Haba 2009); also recorded by Nader (1968b), Al-Shenawi et al. (1982); Hammar Marsh (Abass 2013); Hawraman Mountain (Fa- hony et al. 2013). RR: Al-Alam (Sa-13), Ramdi (An-13), and Yarmook area (B-14). Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 ©ZFMK Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq 47 Short-tailed Nesokia Nesokia indica (Gray, 1830) Subspecies; TV. i. hoxtoni (Thomas, 1919). Distribution: Widespread in the riverine plains of both cen- tral and southern Iraq. Recorded from: Amara, A1 Qur- na, Aqar Quf, Shaikh Saad, and An Nasiriya (Cheesman 1920); Baghdad (Sanborn 1940); Cheesman’s sites, Maqil and Hinaidi (Ellerman 1948); Ur (Pocockl934); Baghdad, Mansuriya al Shatt, Ramadi, and Babylon (Hatt 1959); recorded also by Fetter ( 1961 ), Nader ( 1968b), Al- Robaae ( 1977), Kadhiin (1981 ) Al-Shcnawi et al. ( 1982); and Abass (2013). Long-tailed Nesokia Nesokia bunnii (Khajuria, 1981 ) Originally described under the genus Eiythrouesokia by Khajuria ( 1981 ), later on it was proved to be a distinctive species of Nesokia (Al-Robaae & Felten 1990). Distribution: Current status is unknown. Recorded only in the marshes at the confluence of the Tigris and Eu- phrates Rivers in south eastern Iraq (Khajuria 1981; Al- Robaae & Felten 1990), the species could also possibly occur in Al-Hawizeh Marsh straddling the Iraq-Iran south eastern border. Family: Cricetidae Gray Dwarf Hamster Cricetulus migratoriiis ( Pallas, 1 773 ) Subspecies: C. /;;. cinerascens (Wagner, 1848). Distribution; Abundant in cultivated lands, forests, and steppes mainly of northern Iraq. Individuals were collect- ed in Ser Amadiya by Harrison ( 1 956). A specimen includ- ed in the collection of the FMNH was trapped at Jarmo (Hatt 1959). Also recorded by Fetter ( 1961 ) and Kadhim (1975) (Han'ison & Bates 1991). Baluchistan Gerbil Gerbilliis (Heudecapleura) nainis (Blanford, 1875) Subspecies; G. ii. nanus (Blanford, 1875), in eastern Iraq; G. n. arabiinn (Thomas, 1918), confined to the desert of south western Iraq. Distribution; Widespread, in deserts and arid steppes of central and southern Iraq. Recorded from: Ali Al-Gharbi by Fetter et al. ( 1957); specimens from Basra Liwa are in- cluded in the collection of the UMC ( Hanison & Bates 1991 ). Wagner’s Gerbil GerbiUus (Hendecapleiira) dasyiiriis (Wagner, 1842) Subspecies: G. d. dasyunts (Wagner, 1842). Distribution: Widespread in the steppic deserts of central and western Iraq. Recorded from: c. 1 1 km SE H2 pump- ing station in western Iraq (Hanison 1956c); Haditha (Hatt 1959; Harisson & Bates 1991 ). RR: Wadi Al-Tharthar (An- 13). Mesopotamian Gerbil GerbiUus (Hendecapleiira) mesopotamiae (Hanison, 1956) Subspecies: G. ni. niesopotaniiae (Harrison, 1956), with Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 some individual and local variation. Distribution: Widespread in arid terrains of central and southern Iraq. Harrison ( 1956) reported the species in the suiTOundings of Amiriya. Recorded from: Lake Hab- baniya, Baghdad, K-3, Basra; Haur Al Hasa, Al-Jadriyah, Ain Tina, 4 km S Falluja, 10 km W Baghdad, Rashidiya, 4 km S Abu Ghraib, and Um al Khanazeer Island (Hatt 1959); 5 km SE Najaf (Nasher 1970); Ramadi Liwa (Nadachowski et al. 1990). Specimens from Ali Gharbi are included in the collection of the PM, while those from Baghdad and Baquba are included in the collection of the BRCB (Harrison & Bates 1991 ). Cheesman’s Gerbil GerbiUus (GerbiUus) cheesniani (Thomas, 1919) Subspecies: G. c. cheesniani (Thomas, 1919). Distribution: Confined to open sandy hummocks with sparse vegetation of central and southern Iraq. Recorded from: Along the west bank of the Euphrates River (SW Al Falluja, near Haur al Hasa, Amiriya: Harrison 1956); Lake Habbaniya (Hatt 1959; Harrison & Bates 1991). Indian Gerbil Tatera indica (Hardwicke, 1807) Subspecies: T. i. taeniura (Wagner, 1843). Distribution: Widespread. Recorded from: Amara, Sinn Abtar, Kut al Imara, Baghdad, Aqarkuf, Sheikh Saad, Shahraban, and Baiji (Cheesman 1920); Kasimain and Baghdad (Ellerman 1948); near Habbniya (Harrison 1956c); Ali Gharbi (Fetter 1957); Tell Imlihiye (Kock & Nader 1983); Hatra (Nadachowski et al. 1978; Harrison & Bates 1991 ). Further records were provided by Kadhim (1998). Persian Jird Meriones (Paranieriones) persiciis (Blanford, 1875) Subspecies; M. p. persiciis (Blanford, 1875). Distribution: Restricted to the mountains of northern Iraq. Recorded from: Kani Mase and Ser Amadia (Hanison 1956c); Penjwin and Jabal Batiwa (Fetter et al. 1957); Salahadin, Shaqlawa, and Jarmo (Hatt 1959). Tristram’s T\xd Meriones (Pallasioinvs) Iristranii (Thomas, 1892) Subspecies: M. t. lycaon (Thomas, 1919), with ochraceous buff dorsal pelage. Distribution: Confined to the Oak forests of northern Iraq. Recorded from: Dohuk (Ellerman 1948); Bakrajo in Su- laymaniyah and Sarsank (Hatt 1959). Fetter et al. ( 1957), Kock & Nader (1983) and Nadachowski et al. ( 1990) pro- vided further records. A few specimens are included in the collection of the HZM (Harrison & Bates 1991 ). Libyan Jird Meriones (Pallasioinvs) libvciis (Lichtenstein, 1823) Subspecies: M. 1. syrius (Thomas, 1919), confined to the ®ZFMK 48 Omar F. Al-Sheikhly et al. desert steppe of western Iraq; M /. eiythwunis (Gray, 1 842), occurs in the eastern region of the Euphrates basin. Distribution: Widespread. Recorded from: Az Zubair W Basra (Ellemian 1948); Amiriya and Al Jazira SW of Samarra (Harrison 1956c); At Tuba, Basra (Hatt 1959). Also reported by Heptner ( 1 940) and Fetter et al. ( 1 957); Al-Cidir (Al-Sheikhly 2013). Sundevall’s Jird Meriones (Pallasiomys) crassiis (Sunde- vall, 1842) Subspecies: M. c. crassiis (Sundevall, 1842), confined to the arid steppes of western Iraq; M. c. charoii (Thomas, 1919) occurs in the eastern region of the Euphrates basin. Distribution: Widespread. Recorded from: Kasimain and Az Zubeir (Cheesman 1920); Haur al Hasa and Jazira (Harrison 1956c); Ali Gharbi and Kurkuk (Fetter et al. 1 957); 1 50 km NW Basra, Haditha, 24 km W Ramadi, 32 km W Baghdad, and Balad (Hatt 1959); Balad (Hanison 1972; Harrison & Bates 1991 ). Transcaueasian Mole Vole EUohiiis (Afgaiioiiiys) hitesceiis (Thomas, 1897) Subspeeies: Fossibly £. /. hitesceiis (Thomas, 1897). Distribution: Frobably still present on the mountains of northern Iraq. Fossils were discovered in the caves of Haz- ar Mard ( Bate 1 930) and Shanidar ( Hatt 1 959). Hatt ( 1 959) reported that the species might still inhabit the mountains of northern Iraq. Baltazard & Seydian ( 1960) reported the occun ence of some speeimens from Fenjwin, whereas Fet- ter (1961), who examined the same collection, did not (Harrison & Bates 1991). Eurasian Water Vole Arvicola ainphibius (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspeeies: A. a. persicits (de Filippi, 1865). Distribution: Restricted to the mountains of northeastern Iraq; reeorded from Fenjwin ( Fetter 1961; Harrison & Bates 1991). RR: Chebaeish (Central Marshes, southern Iraq) yet with- out supporting material (N. Abod. pers. comm. 2014). Social Vole Microtiis (Microtiis) socialis (Falas, 1773) Subspecies; Hairison and Bates (1991 ) included giieiitheri and iraiii under M. socialis. However, M. iraiii has been separated as a distinct taxon (Kefelioglu & Krystufek 1999; Golenishchev et al. 2002). Distribution: Confined to the mountains and foothills of northern Iraq. Recorded from: Ser Amadiya (Harrison 1956a); Sulaymaniyah and Sarsank (Hatt 1959); Fenjwin (Fetter 1961 ); Hawraman Mountain (Lahony et al. 2013). A few specimens are included in the collection of both BMNH and HZM (Hamson & Bates 1991). Ellennan (1948) reported the occurnce of some specimens from “Baghdad”, but it is wisely questioned whether they re- ally came from that locality (Hatt 1959). Order Cetacea Family: Delphinidae Indo-Facific Humpbacked Dolphin Sousa cbineiisis (Os- beck, 1765) Distribution: Marine coasts of southern Iraq. The species (under the name Sotalia leiitigiiiosa) was recorded from Khor Al Zubeir (Al-Robaae 1970a). Indo-Facific Bottlenose Dolphin Titrsiops aditncus (Ehren- berg 1833) Distribution: Marine coast of southern Iraq. Reported from Rass Al-Mataf (near Fao) in the northern part of the Ara- bian Gulf (Al-Robaae 1974). Finless Foipoise Neopliocaena phocaeiioides (G. Cuvier, 1829) Distribution: Marine coast of southern Iraq. Recorded from the Iraqi tciTitorial water c. 37 km S Fao; another specimen was reported from Fao (Al-Robaae 1975). Family: Balaenopteridae Blue Whale Balaenoptera iiuisciihis (Linnaeus 1758) Distribution: Marine coast of southern Iraq. Uncertain sta- tus; listed by Mahdi & George ( 1969) but without provid- ing further details. Biyde’s Whale Balaenoptera edeni (Anderson 1879) Distribution: Marine coast of southern Iraq. Recorded from: Khor Al Zubeir (6.4 km NW of port Umm Qasr) (Mahdi 1967; Al-Robaae 1969). Humpback Whale Megaptera iiovaeangliae (Borowski 1781) (Arabian Sea sub-population) Distribution: Marine coast of southern Iraq. Specimens collected near Fao and Shatt Al-Arab are resident to the collection of the BRCB (Hatt 1959; Al-Robaae 1970b). DISCUSSION Historical framework A checklist of the mammals of Iraq was urgently required in order to support conseiwation plans for the Iraqi fauna. We reviewed eight major orders including 28 families, 65 genera and 93 species. This manuscript represents the first systematic checklist of wild mammals prepared for Iraq since the 1950s, and includes many new species record- ed since Hatt’s masterpiece. Moreover, Hatt (1959) includ- ed 12 species that were re-evaluated and eventually as- signed to other taxa by Harrison & Bates (1991): Bicol- ored White-toothed Shrew (Crocidiira leiicodoii persica) assigned to Lesser White-toothed Shrew (C. siiaveoleiis), the European Hedgehog (Erinaceiis eiiropaeus) assigned to East European Hedgehog (E. concolor), Babylonian Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 ©ZFMK Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq 49 Sheath-tailed Bat ( Taphozous kachhensis babylouiciis) as- signed to Naked-bellied Tomb Bat {T. midiveutris mag- niis). Northern Bat (Eptesiciis nilssoni nilssoni) assigned to Botta’s Serotine {E. bottae); V: Hingston’s Serotine {Eptesiciis sodalis liiiigstoiii) assigned to Botta’s Serotine (E. bottae), Cox’s Pipistrelle (PipistreUiis coxi) assigned to Riippell’s Pipistrelle (P. riippellii), the Indian Red Fox ( Vidpes V. pusillits) assigned to the Arabian Fox ( V. v, ara- bica), the European Hare (Lepiis eiiropaeiis coiinori) as- signed to Cape Hare (L. capeiisis comiori), the Persian Squin'el (Sciurits anoiiialiis) assigned to the subspecies S. a. pallesceiis, Wagner’s Gerbil [Gerbillits {Hende- capleiira) dasyiiriis] assigned to Han ison’s Gerbil [G. {H. ) luesopotamiae], Turkish Jird (Merioiies blackleri black- leri) assigned to Tristram’s Jird [M. (M.) tristrami), and the Persian Vole (Microtiis iraiii) assigned to the Social Vole (M. sodalis). Later on, further observations were provided by Harri- son (1964; 1968; 1972) and Harrison & Bates (1991). Nevertheless, eight new records obtained in 2012 and 2013 were added to the present checklist: Syrian Jackal {Can- is aureus syriacus) from Hussaiba, 7 km N W Al-Qa-eem, western laq (Al-Sheikhly 20 1 2a), Arabian Wolf (Cm; A lu- pus arabs) from Rutba, western Iraq (Al-Sheikhly 2012b), Indian Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwadsi) from Kurdis- tan, northern Iraq (Al-Sheikhly & Mallon 2013), Least Weasel (Miistela nivalis) from Kurdistan, northern Iraq (Raza 2013), Sand Cat (Felis niargarita) from desert of Al-Najaf Province (Mohammad et al. 2013). Syrian Cape Hare (Lepiis capeiisis syriacus) from Rutba, western Iraq (Al-Sheikhly. in litt.), Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat {Rlii- iiolophus euiyale) from Kurdistan, northern Iraq (Al- Sheikhly et al. 2015), and Geoffroy’s Myotis (Myotis emargiiiatiis) from Kurdistan, northern Iraq (Al-Sheikhly et al. 2015). Present checklist Among the 93 species recorded in Iraq, 24 were evaluat- ed by the lUCN (one species listed as extinct, one species as Critically Endangered, four species as Endangered, eight species as Vulnerable, seven species as Near Threatened, and three species as Data Deficient) (Table 2). In this context, the above-mentioned Smooth-coated Otter, a flagship species of Iraq is worth of mention. Dur- ing the 1980s and 1990s this species was guessed to be extinct due to habitat loss and fragmentation as well as to over-hunting, but it has been rediscovered very recently (Omer at al. 2012; Al-Sheikhly & Nader 2013; Al- Sheikhly et al. 2014). The strategic geographical position of Iraq provided the local mammals with a historical natural connection to the fauna of southern Turkey, western Iran, eastern Syria and the north eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Hence, it did not come as a surprise that six Arabian species were found west of the Euphrates River: the Arabian subspecies of the Lesser Mouse-tailed Bat (Rliiiiopoina hardwickii arabium), the Arabian Wolf (Cr//rA lupus arabs), the Ara- bian Fox ( Vidpes viilpes arabica), the Arabian Cape Hare (Lepiis capeiisis arabicus), the Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella subguttiirosa iiiarica), and the Arabian sub- species of Baluchistan’s Gerbil (GerbiUiis iiaiiits arabi- uiii). In addition, the Sand Cat (Felis niargarita liarrisoni), a species confined to the Arabian Desert, was recently recorded in Iraq as well. Furthennore, the Syrian Desert, the monotonic landscape shared between easter n Syria and wester n Iraq, which extends until the western bank of the Euphrates River, is inhabited by five species: the Syrian Jackal (Cam's aureus syriacus), the Syrian Stone Marten (Martes foiiia syriaca), the Syrian Marbled Polecat ( Vorniela peregiisna syriaca), the Syrian Striped Hyaena (Hyaena hyaena syriaca) and the Syrian Cape Hare (Le- pus capeiisis syriacus). Finally, the mammalian fauna of Iraq is also naturally connected to the zoogeographic realm of Persia, a teiritoi'y stretching mainly east of the Tigris River and along the border with Ii'an. Eight species can be found so far in the forested mountains, rocky valleys, and grassy steppes of this I'egion: the Iranian Wolf (Can- is lupus pallipes), the Persian Leopard (Pantliera pardus saxicolor), the Iranian (Asiatic) Cheetah (Acinonyx Juba- tus venaticus), the Persian Goitred Gazelle (Gazella subguttiirosa subguttiirosa), the Wild Goat (Capra aega- griis), the Persian SquiiTel (Sciurus anoinaliis), the Per- sian Jird [Merioiies (Paranieriones) persiciis\, and the Pei‘- sian Water Vole (Anicola ainpliibius persicus). During the Iraq war in 2003, vandalism against the Bi- ological Research Centre of Baghdad (BRCB) occuned and, as a consequence, many valuable specimens of the Iraqi fauna were lost or damaged. When we examined mammal specimens kept in the BRCB collection we al- so noticed that many of them were decomposed due to long-tei'in storage. Unfortunately, substitute material was not available especially for Soricomor'pha, Chiroptera and Rodentia. Nevertheless, we would like herein to focus on a few valuable mammal specimens collected in Iraq and described as new taxa. The Haditha Mouse-tailed Bat (Rliiiiopoina liaditliaensis) was first described by Khajuria ( 1988) based on a few specimens discovered in Haditha (westerm h'aq) and now resident to the collection of the BRCB. According to their morphology and, especially, to the cr'anial features provided by Khajur ia ( 1988), Kock et al. (2001 ) regarded R. liaditliaensis as junior synonym of the Greater Mouse-tailed Bat (R. inicropliylliiin). Howev- er, the status of R. liaditliaensis remains uncertain and fur- ther investigation is needed. Other valuable specimens (study skin kept at the BMNH and live cub) belong to the Iraq Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata inaxwelli), collected by Gavin Y. Maxwell (Hayman 1959). The otter skin was found in the village of Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 ©ZFMK 50 Omar F. Al-Sheikhly et al. Abusakhair (Faraijat tribe, c. 56 km SE of Amara, along the Tigris River) and included in the collection of the BMNH. The live cub was probably found in a tumulus is- land village called Daub, c. 19 km NW of Al-Azair (west of the Tigris River: Hayman 1956; Maxwell 1957, 1960; Al-Sheikhly & Nader 2013; Al-Sheikhly et al. 2014). Af- ter 1980s L. p. maxwelli was believed to be extinct, but during field surveys cairied out in 2007-2012 the occur- rence of L. p. maxwelli in southern Iraqi marshes was proved by Al-Sheikhly & Nader (2013). Additionally, an- other isolated population of L. perspicillata was found in Kurdistan (northern Iraq), this finding representing a re- markable extension of the species range known so far (Omeret al. 2012; Al-Sheikhly & Nader 2013). The Long- tailed Nesokia (Nesokia humiii) was described by Kha- Juria (1981) within the genus Eiythronesokia on the ba- sis of two individuals collected in Al-Quma (southern Iraq) and presently included in the collection of the BRCB. This species can be distinguished from the similar Short-tailed Nesokia by its large size, cranial features, long tail, red- ness of the dorsal pelage, and incipient development of the lower incisor root. Al-Robaae & Felten (1990) showed that Khajuria’s (1981) N. humiii, indeed, repre- sents a distinct species. Han ison & Bates (1991) compre- hensively examined Khajuria’s record and concluded that it could be a large specimen of Short-tailed Bandicoot Rat (Nesokia iudica), with an abnormal long tail possibly re- flecting its ecological adaptation to the aquatic habitat. However, more samples from the Basra Province are re- quired to confirm the taxonomic identity of this taxon in Iraq. We found that hunting and trapping represent the main threats to the wild mammals of Iraq. Indian Crested Por- cupine, Cape Hare, and Jerboas are widely hunted for meat consumption and fur by local people, especially in cen- tral and western Iraq. On the contrai'y, such practices are forbidden in southern Iraq. The spines of the porcupine are used to decorate houses and cars, the tails of both hares and jerboas are used to make keychains, while the furiused to create handmade souvenirs. Goitred Gazelle, Wild Goat, and Mouflon are heavily hunted to be consumed as food or trapped to be raised as domesticated pets (Al-Sheikhly 2012b). The skulls of hunted gazelles and goats, especial- ly those with big horns, are usually mounted and/or hanged on the front wall of the hunters’ houses to testify the suc- cess of their hunting trips. Local farmers hunt wild boars for puipose of eradication, as they considered this species as a pest. Locals also hunt Fox, Jackal, Wolf, Striped Hye- na, Honey Badger, Jungle Cat and Leopard according to traditional practices and/or myths (Hatt 1959; Handson 1972). The Bedouins are known to chase wolves and hye- nas in the western desert of Iraq in order to collect their eyes, claws and teeth, which are all used as symbols of gloiy according to the Arabian tradition. Alternatively, Bedouins usually trap wolf cubs in order to raise them as pets. More in general, a conflict between the previous car- nivore species and shepherds, farmers and hunters is on- going, the local people being constantly engaged to elim- inate these species whenever possible. Especially wolves and leopards are considered dangerous to humans and de- structive to cattle herds (Fig. 2). Nevertheless, the Euro- pean Otter and the Smooth-coated Otter are widely hunt- ed for their fur throughout Iraq. Such a practice led the populations of both species to the edge of the extinction. Otters’ fur is used as a waterproof sac, which can be filled with illegal imports and inserted in the gasoline tank of smugglers’ vehicles (Al-Sheikhly & Nader 2013; Al- Sheikhly et al. 2014). Iraqi farmers and hunters regular- ly collect juvenile Persian SquiiTel and Small Indian Mon- goose in spring. Squirrels are mainly trapped in northern Iraq before being canied out to the animal markets of Baghdad, Mousel and Kurkuk. Many of them usually die due to serious injuries caused by trapping and/or trans- portation before they can be sold as tamed pets. Hunters of central and southern Iraq monitor the lactating female mongooses and chase them at their dens in order to col- lect young individuals. These latter are then usually sold to local farmers. Young mongooses, indeed, are usually trained to control rodents and insects in farms and settle- ments. Unfortunately, illegal trapping and trafficking of au- tochthonous mammalian species is widely performed in Iraq. The weakness of the wildlife hunting legislation al- lows unauthorised local hunters to trap many wild animals for pui-pose of export to neighbouring countries. For in- stance, young Sand Gazelle and Wild Goat are trapped during the breeding season in the western desert and north- eastern mountains of Iraq, and then shipped to neighbour- ing countries (Al-Sheikhly 2012c). Youngs of the Brown Bear are trapped in many localities of northern Iraq ( Kur- distan) and sold as pets in the animal markets of Bagh- dad. Nevertheless, the trade of exotic species to Iraq does frequently occur as well, this representing an additional threat to the local biota. For instance, the African Lion (Panthera leo), the North-West African Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki), and the Bengal Tiger (Panthera t. tigris) are regularly imported and sold in the animal markets of Iraq. The price for each specimen ranges between US$ 1 ,700 and US$ 4,000, cubs being the most requested items. It is clear that the conflict between man and wild species is leading to a rapid decline of many animal populations in Iraq. The lack of scientific knowledge and awareness about the wild fauna among local fanners and hunters, the ever-increasing hunting pressure, poaching and related il- legal trade of animals as well as ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation represent the main threats impacting wild mammals of Iraq. Despite the huge efforts proposed by the Iraqi authorities in order to protect the wild mammalian fauna, further enforcement of present hunting legislation is essential, as Iraq became a signatoiy countiy to the Con- Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 ®ZFMK Cliccklist of the Mammals of Iraq 51 vention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Acknowledgments. We are grateful to the National Geograph- ic Society Conservation Trust (WA, USA) for granting a con- servation project (#C261-13 to F.B.) on the Smooth-coated Ot- ter. Fieldwork carried out in the Mesopotamian marshes, indeed, allowed us to collect some data on wild mammals that were in- cluded in this checklist. We would like to thank Ali N. Salman (Iraqi Ministry of Environemnt), Abd Al-Bari Al-Sa’don and Flameed Al-Habash ( Iraqi Flunters Association ) for providing de- tails and photographs on wild mammals of Iraq; Najah A. Huss- ian and Adel F. Abass (University of Basra), Khalid Faiq (Uni- versity of Kalar, Kurdistan-lraq) and Sarbaz I. Mohamad (Uni- versiy of Salah Adin, Kurdistan-lraq) for their helpful comments and assistance during the 2014 fieldwork. We extend our thanks to the lUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group (OSG) members: Nicole Duplaix, Syed A. Hussain, Waseem A. Khan, Arno Gut- leb, Lesley Wright, Grace Yoxon and Padma de Silva; Paul .1. 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Great Britain: Futura Publications Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 ®ZFMK Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq 55 GEOGRAPHICAL GAZETTEER Al- Anbar Province (An) A1 Faluja (Falluja; Feluja): 33°2 l’N43°46’E; Abu Al Jir: 33°16’N42°53'E;AbuGhreb(Abu Graib): 33°28'N44°17'E; Al- Dheabeat ( Al-Theabeatt): 32°49’N43°1 1’E; Al-Ga’ra: 33°29’N40°26’E; Al-Jezera (Jezaratt Al-Anbar): 34°11'N42°49’E; AI-Qa-eem: 34°22’N4 1 °06’E; Anah (Ana):34°28’N41°56’E; Cheleabat: 32°18’N39°47’E; Faidhat Al Massad: 32°55’N40°13’E; Faidhat Al-Dhaba’a: 32°58’N40° 20'E; HI station: 33°40’N39°57’E; H2 station: 33°16'N40°40'E; Habbaniya: 33°22’N43°35’E; Hadithah: 34°07'N42°23’E; Haur al Hasa: 33°12'N43°45'E; Hit: 33°38’N42°49’E; Hussai- ba:34°23’N40°59’E; K3 station: 32°55’N39°45’E; Lake Hab- baniya: 33°I7’N43°29'E; Nikheab:32°02’N42°15'E; Qasr al Helqum: 33°48’N40°35’E; Rahaliyah: 32°46’N43°23'E; Rama- di (Ar Ramadi): 33° 27’ N 43°I9’ E; Rawa: 34°28’N41°55' E; Razaza Lake: 32°43’N43°3 1’E; Rutba (ArRutba): 33°03’N40°I8’E; Saqlawiya: 33°24’N 43°41’E; Shamiyah Desert: 30°20’N46°40’E; Sheikh Hadid: 34°l I ’N42°22’E; Sin Al Dhibban (Thuban; Zeban): 33°23’N43°36 ‘E: Tlstation: 34°15’N41°20’E; Wadi Arar: 31°27’N4I°38'E; Wadi Horan: 33°54’N41°57’E; Wadi Haqlaniya (Haqian): 34°05'N42°27’E. Babel (Babylon) Province (Bb) Al-Mahmodiyah: 32°29N’44°25’E; Hilla: 32°32’N44°13’E; Hindiya (Sadatt Al-Hindiya): 33°04’N44° 22’E, Baghdad Province (B) Agersjoof (AqarQuf; Aqarkuf; Akkarkuf): 33°24’N44°21’E; Al- Adhamiyah: 33°22’N44°21’E; Al-Kadmiyah: 33°22'N44°20’E; Al-Rashdiyia (ArRashdiyia): 33°32'N44°2 1'E; Amiriya: 33°22’N44°32’E; Dor’ah (Dora): 33°1 5'N44°23'E; Jadrriyah and Umm Al-Khanazeer Island: 33°17’N44°23'E; Mnstan- siriyah: 33°22’N44°24’E; Old Rasafa: 33°20’N44°24’E; Rashidiya: 33°25'N44°22’E; Rustamiyah: 33°16'N44°32'E; Yannook: 33°1 7’N44°20’E; Zaafaraniyah: 33°13’N44°33’E. Basra Province (Ba) Abu Al-Khasib: 30°26’N48°00’E; Al-Masshab: 30°39’N47°28'E; Al-Qurna (Gurna):3 l°0rN47°27'E; Ashar: 30°30’N47°50'E; At Tanumah: 30°3 l'N47°5 1’E; At Tuba: 30°27’N47°30’E; Basra city: 30°30’N47°48’E; Fao: 29°55'N48°30’E; Jabal Sanam: 30°06'N47°42’E; Khor Al- Zubeir: 30°02’N47°58’E; Kut as Sayyid: 30°3 1 ’N47°49'E; Ma- jnoon: 31°12'N47°30’E; Maqil (Ma’qal): 30°33’N47°46’E; Rass Al-Beisha: 29°55’N48°33’E; Shaiaba (Shaiba; Shuaiba): 30°24’N47°41’E; Shatt Al-Arab: 30°26’N48°09'E; Umm Al Rassas: 30°26’N48°07’E; Zubeir (Az-Zubeir): 30°24’N47°45’E. Diyala Province (Di) Adhaim (Shatt al Adhaim): 34°01 ’N44°19’E; Al Miqdadiyah: 33°58’N44°58’E; Al-Khalis: 33°5 l’N44°32'E; Baladruz: 33°4I’N45°05'E; Baquba (Baqubah): 33°45’N44°40’E; Cte- siphon: 33°06'N44°36’E; Jalwla: 34°1 7’N45°10’E; Kafri: 34°4rN44°58'E; Khaniqin: 34°20’N45°22’E; Lake Himreen: 34°10’N44°59’E; Madain: 33°05'N44°35’E; Mandli: 33°44’N45°34’E; Mansuriya al Shatt: 33°45’N44°24’E; Nahrwan (Nahrawan): 33°22’N44°42’E; Shahraban: 33°59’N44°56’E. Duhok Province (Du) Banaman: 36°23’N44°08’E; Bebaidi: 37°07’N43°27'; KaniMase (KaniMasi): 37°13’N43°25’E; Sarsank (Sersang): 37°03’N43°1 5’E; Ser (Ser’) Amadia (Amadiya): 37°08’N43°27’E; Zakho: 37°08’N42°41’E; Zaweta (Zawitta): 36°55’N43°12’E. Erbil Province (Er) Bradost Mountain (JabalBradost): 36°46‘N44°21'E; Barzan: 36° 55’N44°03’E; Bola: 36°45’N44°42'E; Diyana: 36°39’N44°32’E; Diyana (Soran): 36°41’N44°35’E; Gali (Qali) Ali Beg: 36°38’N44°25’E; Hais: 37°13’N43°25’E; Haj Omran: 36°40’N45°05’E; Harir (HarirDagh):36°27’N44°23’E; Jabal Zhargahta: 35°18’N45°I7’E; Kasimain: 33°22'N44°20’E; Makhmoor: 35°45’N43°35’E; Mergasor: 36°50’N44° 19’E; Rawanduz (Rowanduz): 36°38’N44°32E; SafinDaeh (Jabal- Safin): 36°23’N44° 1 8’E; Shanidr Cave: 36°50’N44°13’E; Shaqlawa: 36°23’N44°18’E; Shirin Mountain: 36°58’N44°06'E; Suran (Soran) Area: 36°39’N44°32’E. KarbaPa Province (Ka) Uqhaidhir (Ukhaidir): 32°26’N43°36’E; Al -Tar ( Al-Tar caves): 32°28’N32°46’E; EinTamur (Shthatha): 32°33'N32°29'E. Kurkuk Province (Ku) Chamchamal-Jarnio: 35°34'N44°55’E; Alton Kobri: 35°44’N44°09'E; TaqTaq: 35°53N44°36’E. Mayssan Province (Ma) Abusakhair: 32°32’N47°19’E; Al Kumait: 32°0rN4643’E; Ali Gharbi: 32°28’N46°42’E; Al-Maimona: 3 1 °4 1 ’N46°58’E; Ama- ra: 3 1 °50’N47°08’E; Azair: 3 1 °20'N47°26'E; Biet Mohammad: 3I°50’N37°I0’E; Chahala: 31°40’N47°18’E; Daub: 31°22’N47°14’E. Hawizeh: 3 1°39’N47°40’E; Kut al Iniara: 32°30’N45°49’E; Majaral Kabir: 3 1°34'N47°09’E; Musharah River: 31°50’N47°13’E; Nachr-Chasasch: 30° 50’N47°I0’E; QalatSalih: 31°32’N47°19'E; Sinn Abtar: 32°30’N45°49’E; Teeb: 32°03N'47°1 5’E; Umm-Al-Ni’aj: 3 1°37’N47°36’E. Nenawa (Nineve) Province (Ne) Ain Tina: 35°35’N42°43’E; Ain Zala (Ain Zalah): 36°44’N42°34’E; Almawan: 36°25’N44°13’E; Aqra (Akre): 36°45’N43°54’E; Aski-kalak: 36°16’N43°38’E; Atrosh: 36°50’N43°20’E; Cora: 36°2 l’N44° 1 0’E; Fishkhaboor: 37°03’N42°22’E; Hamam Al-Alil: 36°10’N43°16’E; Hatra (Al Hadr): 35°34’N 42°42’E; Jabal Sinjar: 36°23’N41°52’E; Mousel city: 36°20’N43°06’E; Narwah: 36°42’N44°I0’E. Muthana Province (IMu) Busaiyah (Busaiya): 30°5’N46°7’E; Samawa: 31°18’N45°I8’E. Najaf Province (Na) Bahr Al-milih (Bahr Al-Najaf): 31°59’N44°15’E; Najaf city: 3I°59’N44°19’E; Seriya: 33°24’N43°4I’E. Qadissiyab Province (Qa) Ad Dwaniyah: 3 1 °58’N44°56’E; Al-Hamza: 3 1 °43’N44°58’E; Al-Shamiyah: 3 1°57’N44°36’E: Ash-Shinaffya: 31°35’N44°39’E; Dalmaj (HorDalmaj): 32°9’N45°3 1’E; Ghamaz (Gamas): 31°44N’44°37’E. Salabadin Province (Sa) Tikrit: 34°35’N43°40’E; Ad Dawr(Daur): 34°29’N43°49’E; Ain Al-Faras: 34°1 6’N43°1 1 ’E; Al Alam: 34°42’N43°41’E; Al-Jez- era( Jezeratt Samarra): 35°00’N42°00’E; Baiji (Beaji): 34°56’N43°29’E; Balad: 34°00’N44°09’E; Balad (Beled): 33°58’N44°11’E; Cidir: 34°44’N44°03’E; Dejail: 33°5(VN44°14’E; Dholuiya: 34°05’N44°1 2’E; Duz-khurmato (Tooz): 34°52’N44°37’E; Jalam (Jalam Albu Ajeel): 34°35’N43°53’E; Jabal Himreen: 34°59’N43°43’E: Makhool (Jabal Makhool): 35°07’N43°26’E; Qala’t Asharqat: 35°27’N43°13’E; Samara: 34°12’N43°52’E; Sharqat: 35°29’N43°14’E; Tarmiya: 33°40’N44°22’E; Wadi Al-Tharthar: 34°16’N43°27’E. Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 ): 33-58 ©ZFMK 56 Omar F. Al-Sheikhly et al. Sulaymaniyah Province (Su) Ahmad Awa: 35°17’N46°03’N; Baksai: 32°53’N46°26’E; Chamchamal: 35°32’N44°50’E; Chami-Rezan: 35°48’N45°01’E; Darbandikhan (Derbendi Khan): 35°18’N45°47’E; Halabja: 35°10’N45°59’E; Hawaraman Area: 35°13’N46°06’E; Hazar Mard: 35°30’N45°20’E; Zagarta (Ja- belZagarta; Sargat): 35°16’N46°06’E; Kalar: 34°36’N45°19’E; Kanispika: 35°27’N45°23’E; Koshek: 35°16’N45°47’E; Little Zab: 35°54'N44°58'E; Maidam: 34°55’N45°37’E; Mavvat: 35°57’N45°24’E; Murdka (Mortka): 35°03’N45°49’E; Parazan: 35°35’N45°49’E; Penjwin: 35°35’N45°57’E; Peramagroon: 35°46’N45°13’E; QaraDaq (Karadagh): 35°17’N45°21’E; Qashqulai: 35°55’N44°57’E; Sulymaniyah city: 35°33’N45°25’E; Taqia: 35°37’N44°57'E; Zagros Mountains (Jabal Zagros): 36°00’N45°00'E. ThiQar Province (Th) An Nasseriyah: 31°03’N46°16’E; AbuAjaj: 39°49’N46°36’E; Abu Zirig: 31°06’N46°38’E; Al-Eslah: 31°09’N46°36’E; Al- Fhood: 30°58’N46°43’E; All Jweaber: 30°54’N46°38’E; Al- Ta'r:30°56’N56°50’E; Chebaeish: 30°57’N46°59’E; Hor(Hour) Al Hammar: 30°50’N47°10’E; Kamisiyah: 30°46’N46°29’E; Kermashiya: 30°47’N46°37’E; Naheat Al Hammar: 30°57’N46°50’E; QannattBani Seed: 30°52’N46°34’E; Suq Al- Sheiukh: 30°52’N46°29’E; Ur: 30°57’N46°06’E; Zichri (Az Zichri): 31°03N’47°1 3’E. Wasit Province (Wa) Aziziyha: 32°54’N45°05’E; Badra: 33°05’N45°59’E; Kut: 32°29’N45°50’E; Numaniyah: 32°33’N45°25’E; Sewara: 32°54’N44°47’E; Sheik Saad: 32°34’N46°17’E. Table 1. List of wild mammals recorded in Iraq. Order Family Genus Species Erinaceomoipha Erinaceidae Erinaceus Erinaceus concolor Hemiechinus Hemiechinus auritus Paniechinus Paraechinus aethiopicus 3 Soricomorpha Soricidae Suncus Suncus murimis Suncus etriisciis Crocidiira Crocidiira siiaveolens 3 Chiroptera Rhinopomatidae Rhinopoma Rhinopoma hardwickii Rhinopoma microphyllum Einballonuridae Taphozous Taphozous nudiventris Rhinolophidae Rhinolophits Rhinolophus ferrumeqiiimim Rhinolophus hipposideros Rhinolophus ewyale Rhinolophus mehelyi Hipposideridae Asellia Asellia tridens Molossidae Tadarida Tadarida teniotis Vespertilionidae Myotis Myotis blythii Myotis capaccinii Myotis emarginatiis Myotis nattereri Eptesicus Eptesicus anatolicus Eptesicus bottae Rhyneptesiciis Rhyneptesiciis nasiitus Pipistvellus Pipistrelliis kiihlii Vansonia Vansonia riieppellii Otonycteris Otonycteris hemprichii Miniopteridae Minioptenis Minioptenis pallidiis 20 Carnivora Canidae Canis Canis aureus Canis lupus Vidpes Viilpes vulpes Vulpes riieppellii Vulpes zerda Ursidae Ursus Ursus arctos Mustelidae Martes Martes foina Vonnela Vonnela peregusna Mustela Mustela nivalis Meles Meles canescens Mellivora Mellivora capensis 23 Lutra Lutra lutra Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 (1): 33-58 ©ZFMK Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq 57 Order Family Genus Species Lutrogale Lutrogale perspicillata Heipestidae Herpestes Herpestes javanicus Herpestes edmirdsi Hyaenidae Hyaena Hyaena hyaena Felidae Felis Felis silvestris Felis chans Felis inargarita Caracal Caracal caracal Lvnx Lvnx lvnx Pa)Uhera Panthera pardus AcUwnyx Acinonyx juhatiis Artiodactyla Bovidae Capra Capra aegagrus Ovis Ovis orientalis Onx Onx leuconx Gaze 1 la Gazella saudiya Gazellu subgutturosa Cei'vidae Daiiia Damadaina Capreolus Capreolus capreolus Suidae Siis Sus scrofa S Lagomoipha Leporidae Lepus Lepus capensis Lepus {Eulagos) Lepus {Eulagos) europaeus 2 Rodentia Sciuridae Sciurus ( Tenes) Sciurus {Tettes) anomalus Hystricidae Hystrix Hystrix indica Dipodidae Allactaga Allactaga euphratica Jaciilns Jaculus jaculus Gliridae Eliomvs Eliomvs melanurus Diyomys Diyomys nitedula Spalacidae Nannospalax Nannospalax ehrenhergi Muridae Apodemiis Apodemus mystacinus Apodemus flavicoUis Apodemus witherhvi RalUis Rattus rattus Rattus non'egicus Mils Mas muscidus Nesokia Nesokia indica Nesokia hunnii Cricetidae Cricetulus Cricetulus migratorius GerhiUus GerhiUus nanus GerhiUus dasyurus GerhiUus mesopotamiae 28 GerhiUus cheesmani Talera Patera indica Meriones Meriones persicus Meriones tristrami Meriones lihycus Meriones crassus Ellohius Ellohius lutescens Arvicola A nicola amphibius Microtns Microtns socialis Cetacea Delpliinidae Sousa Sousa chinensis Tiirsiops Tiirsiops aduncus Neophocaena Neophocaena phocaenoides Balaenopteridae Balaenoptera Balaenoptera musculus Balaenoptera edeni Megaptera Megaptera novaeangliae Total 8 28 65 93 Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 ( 1 1): 33-58 ®ZFMK 58 Omar F. Al-Sheikhly et al. Table 2. List of mammal species in Iraq evaluated by the lUCN. Extinct (1) Saudi Gazelle Gazella saiidiya lUCN Criteria ver. 3.1 (2014) Critically Endangered (1) Asiatic Cheetah Acinonyx jiibatiis venaticus D Endangered (4) Persian Leopard Panthera pcuxhis saxicolor Mesopotamian Fallow Dear Damci dama mesopotamica Long-tailed Nesokia Nesokia biiniiii Blue Whale Balaeuoptera imisciiliis C2a(i) D A2c Alabd Vulnerable (8) Mehely’s Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus mehelyi Marbled Polecat Voniiela peregiisiui Smooth-coated Otter Liitrogale perspicillata Wild Goat Capra aegagriis Moutlon Ovis oheiitalis Arabian Oryx Oiyx leucmyx Goitred Gazelle Gazella siibgutliirosa Finless Porpoise Neophocaemi phocaenoides Near Threatened (7) Mediterranean Horseshoe Bat Rlunolopluis einyale Pallid Long-fingered Bat Miniopterus pallidiis European Otter Lutra liitra Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena Sand Cat Fells margarita Euphrates Jerboa .4 //nctogu (Paralactaga) euphratica Indo-Pacific Humpbacked Dolphin Sousa chinensis Data Deficient (3) Middle East Blind Mole Rat Nannospalax ehrenbergi Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin Twsiops aduncus Bryde’s Whale Balaeuoptera edeni A4c A2c A2acd A2cd A2cde D1 A2ad ; marica C2a(i) A2cde Bonn zoological Bulletin 64 (1): 33-58 ®ZFMK Bonn zoological Bulletin (BzB) Instructions to authors Scope The Bonn zoological Bulletin (BzB), formerly “Bonner zoologi- sche Beitrage”, is an international, peer-reviewed, open access jour- nal publishing original research articles, reviews, and scientific notes dealing with organismal zoology. 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III 1 190 38 C 18- 696 Grebennikov, Vasily V.: 1 Wingless Paocryptorrhinus (Coleoptera: Curcutionidae) rediscovered in Tanzania: synonymy, four new species and a mtPNA phyloqeoqraphy Kaiser, Dorkas, Tra-Bi Croulaud Sylvain, Kolo Yeo, Souleymane Konate & Karl Eduard Linsenmair: 16 Species richness of termites (Blattoidea; Termitoidae) and ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) along disturbance gradients in semi-arid Burkina Faso (West Africa) Al-Sheikhly, Omar F., Mukhtar K. Haba, Filippo Barbanera, Gabor Csorba & David L. Harrison: 33 Checklist of the Mammals of Iraq (Chordata: Mammalia) Book Review Bohme, W. (2014) 32 Herpetology in Bonn (Philipp Wagner) Cover illustration: Ruppell's Fox Vulpes rueppellii from Iraq (Photo: Omar F. Al-Sheikhly) (this volume, pp. xxx-xxx). Bundesministerium furBildung und Forschung Ministerium fiir Innovation, Wissenschaft und Forschung des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen