| Popis: |
New distributional data on 14 species of mammals in Egypt are presented. The North African Hedgehog Atelerix algirus, the Badger Meles meles and the Honey Badger Mellivora capensisare herein recorded for the first time from Egypt. Moreover, specimens representing a number of species previously reported from Egypt based on casual sightings or verbal reports were also collected and examined for the first time in Egypt. The patchy distribution of mammals and their habitats in Egypt and northeastern Sahara is described and discussed from a historical biogeographic perspective, with barriers and corridors controlling faunal dispersal and genetic exchange. We also present data on a number of species that have undergone major population decline in the past few years as a result of hunting, commercial over-exploitation and habitat destruction, and are locally or globally threatened with extinction. |
