Morocco/Atlantic Sahara Key Research Finding

I (RM) first visited Morocco and Atlantic Sahara in 2006 when, in the company of Dr. Alex Lees, we confirmed the presence of Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni and Black-crowned Sparrow-lark Eremopterix nigriceps, in addition to a flurry of unexpected mammals, during a vanguard expedition to the Oued Ad-Dehab region just north of the Mauritanian border. Subsequently, I have been fortunate to revisit the country 15 occasions, six of which have been with MO, mainly focussed on mammal research, but with a bird research expedition for the RSPB in 2012.

Whilst long-term camera-trapping (trail-cameras) in remote locations focussing on particular species has become a key methodology, we have employed a relatively full suite of expedition field techniques including bat detecting, mist-netting, small mammal trapping (and subsequent genetic analysis), roadkill analysis and thermal imaging surveys. I have detailed some of our more interesting data/key research findings from these expeditions below.

Honey Badger Mellivora capensis: first record in Atlantic Sahara in 25 years

**Honey Badger** *Mellivora capensis* (copyright @ Richard Moores)

Chudeau’s Spiny Mouse Acomys chudeaui – most southerly record in Morocco range extension of ca.400km to southwest

**Chudeau’s Spiny Mouse** *Acomys chudeaui* (copyright @ Richard Moores)

North African Gerbil Dipodillus campestris – most southerly record in Morocco and range extension of ca.450km to southwest

**North African Gerbil** *Dipodillus campestris* (copyright @ Richard Moores)

Barbary Striped Grass-mouse Lemniscomys barbarus– most southerly record in Morocco – range extension of ca 30 km to southwest

**Barbary Striped Grass-mouse** *Lemniscomys barbarus* (copyright @ Richard Moores)

Occidental Gerbil Gerbillus occiduus – 30km range extension to north of this range-restricted species (most northerly record in Morocco/world)

**Occidental Gerbil** *Gerbillus occiduus* (copyright @ Richard Moores)

Maghreb Garden Dormouse Eliomys munbyanus – most southerly record in Morocco (and the world)

**Maghreb Garden Dormouse** *Eliomys munbyanus* (copyright @ Richard Moores)

Pygmy Gerbil Gerbillus henleyi – most southerly record in Morocco – range extension of ca. 140 km to southwest

**Pygmy Gerbil** *Gerbillus henleyi* (copyright @ Richard Moores)

African Savannah Hare Lepus victoriae – apparent first confirmation of this species in Morocco (although research work is ongoing)

Sand Cat Felis margarita – range extension to northwest of ca. 30 km and only second record north of Draa valley

Ruppell’s Pipistrelle Pipistrellus ruepellii – ca. 70km range extension to southwest

Egyptian Free-tailed Bat Nyctinomus aegyptiaca - first records for Atlantic (Western Sahara) and range extension within Morocco of ca. 1,160km to southwest

Maghreb Mouse-tailed Bat Rhinopoma cystops – first records for Atlantic (Western) Sahara and range extension within Morocco of ca. 980km to south

west

**Maghreb Mouse-tailed Bat** *Rhinopoma cystops* (copyright @ Richard Moores)

African Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni – first confirmed record for Morocco

Golden Nightjar Caprimulgus eximus – four territories found in 2016 – first breeding records in Western Palearctic and Morocco

Richard Moores (RM) richard@biomeconsulting.com

Martyn Owen (MO) martyn@biomconsulting.com

Papers

Moores, R.D. & Owen, M.R. (2021). Long-term trail-camera survey in the Adrar Soutouf indicates a denuded fauna. Go-South Bulletin 18: 9-15

Moores, R.D., Collinson, M. & Owen, M.R (2019). New small mammal records from the Adrar Soutouf and Tirs region, Atlantic Sahara, Go-South Bulletin 16: 79-83.

Moores, R.D. (2018). The future of Atlantic Humpbacked Dolphins Sousa teuzii in Dakhla Bay, Atlantic Sahara, Go-South Bulletin 15: 166-171.

Moores, R.D. & Brown, D. (2017). New records of bats from southern Morocco (Atlantic Sahara) and notes on echolocation. Mammalia, 81 (6), 611-614.

Moores, R.D. & Brown, D. (2014). A range reinforcement of Lesser Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros (caffer) tephrus in the lower reaches of the Oued Noun and further mammal records from the Western Anti-Atlas. Go-South Bulletin, 11: 19-30

Moores, R.D. & Brown, D. (2013). African Savanna Hare Lepus microtis near Tan-Tan – a new mammal species for North Moroccan Atlantic Sahara. Go-South Bulletin, 10: 263-265

Moores, R.D. & Brown, D. (2013). Range extension, identification and habitat of Occidental Gerbil Gerbillus occiduus. Go-South Bulletin, 10.

Moores. R.D., Brown. D., Martin. R. & Lees A.C. (2012). Status and identification of hares Lepus sp. in Western Sahara and southern Morocco. Go-South Bulletin, 9: 126-130.

Moores. R.D., Brown. D. & Martin. R. (2012). New data on the terrestrial mammals of the Oued Ad-Dehab region of Western Sahara. Go-South Bulletin, 9: 133-135.

Lees, A.C. & Moores, R.D. (2006). Identification and status of Dunn's Lark Eremalauda dunni in North Africa. British Birds. 99: 482-484.