Dipodomys merriami (Merriam’s Kangaroo Rat)
Credit: J. N. Stuart
about the species
Dipodomys merriami has a relatively broad distribution from Mexico, north into Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Nevada. In California, it is found across the Mojave Desert, north through Owens Valley to Adobe Valley, and found further north at Honey Lake Valley. Like other kangaroo rats, loss of habitat has endangered some populations. Several subspecies are of concern. The subspecies D. m. collinus (Earthquake Valley) is in need of more study, D. m. parvus (San Bernardino Valley) is federally ESA and candidate CESA, and D. m. trinidadensis (Valle de la Trinidad) may be of questionable taxonomy (CDFW 2020).
why species was selected
This species will benefit from the CCGP by learning more about genetic diversity in impacted populations, as well as populations at the edge of a species range.
