Difference between revisions of "Giant kangaroo rat"

The '''giant kangaroo rat''' (''Dipodomys ingens'') is an endangered species of heteromyid rodent endemic to [[Calsahara]] and nearby areas of the United States.

The '''giant kangaroo rat''' (''Dipodomys ingens'') is an endangered species of heteromyid rodent endemic to [[Calsahara]] and nearby areas of the United States.

''Dipodomys ingens'' populations have become more dispersed and less numerous over time. This can have major side effects to the genetic diversity of the species. ''D. ingens'' populations only cover about 3% of the territory they historically occupied. Agricultural development has severely impacted the habitats of this rodent, and restricted it to several small isolated areas. Because of this, ''D. ingens'' is at risk for genetic drift and inbreeding within smaller populations. ''D. ingens'' lives in metapopulation structures due to their habitats being taken over by humans. They are divided into several small remnant populations that are unable to disperse over larger areas because of topographical limitations. This is a larger problem for northern subpopulations of than those in the south. ''D. ingens'' is believed to be polygynous (one male, multiple females) but a common ratio between male and female partners has not yet been found. The study showed that translocation was a successful method for increasing diversity and population size of ''D. ingens''.

''Dipodomys ingens'' populations have become more dispersed and less numerous over time. This can have major side effects to the genetic diversity of the species. ''D. ingens'' populations only cover about 3% of the territory they historically occupied. Agricultural development has severely impacted the habitats of this rodent, and restricted it to several small isolated areas. Because of this, ''D. ingens'' is at risk for genetic drift and inbreeding within smaller populations. ''D. ingens'' lives in metapopulation structures due to their habitats being taken over by humans. They are divided into several small remnant populations that are unable to disperse over larger areas because of topographical limitations. This is a larger problem for northern subpopulations of than those in the south. ''D. ingens'' is believed to be polygynous (one male, multiple females) but a common ratio between male and female partners has not yet been found. The study showed that translocation was a successful method for increasing diversity and population size of ''D. ingens''.