Environmental heterogeneity and spatial structure of gerbil populations (Rodentia, Gerbillinae)

The spatial distribution of elementary colonies of six gerbil species (Meri ones unguiculatus, M. tamariscinus, M. meridianus, M. crassus, Psammomys ob esus, and Gerbillus dasyurus) is related to the structure and distribution of plant associations as landscape element. Certain plant associations prov iding gerbils food and shelter are found to be responsible for the mosaic s patial structure of gerbil populations as well as an elevated concentration and uneven distribution of individuals in the elementary gerbil population s studied. The species diversity and structure of the plant cover determine the differences in pattern of spatial distribution of syntopic species ove r the same biotopes. The microhabitat preference is found to be characteris tic both of stenophagous species (M. tamariscinus, Psammomys obesus) and eu ryphagous ones (M. crassus, M. unguiculatus, M. meridianus, and Gerbillus d asyurus). The environmental heterogeneity promotes an uneven spatial distri bution of individuals and complicates the spatial structure of gerbil popul ations.