Mesechinus

The steppe Nigel ( Mesechinus ) are a genus of the family of hedgehogs ( Erinaceida ) with two species that live in the central part of Asia.

Features

Like the other hedgehog are the steppe Nigel characterized by spines on the back, the color of the rest of the fur varies from white to brown; the spines are never completely white. The body length is about 17 to 25 inches, weight is from 450 to 700 grams. The ears are about the same length as the spines or longer.

From the closely related genera of the desert hedgehogs ( genus Hemiechinus ) and the small eared hedgehog ( Erinaceus genus ), the steppe Nigel differ mainly by features of the skull. Especially the pit above the ear canal ( suprameatale pit) differs in shape between the three genera: In the Steppes Nigeln it is small, flat and narrow formed with a U-shaped outline, while wide in the other two genera, deep and large is and is the border with the small ear hedgehogs C-shaped. In addition, the degree of thickening of the posterior sphenoid is ( basisphenoid ) the steppe Nigel between that of the two other genera.

Distribution and habitat

The habitat of steppe Nigel is arid areas like steppes and deserts. The Daurian hedgehog (M. dauuricus ) has a very extensive range in Mongolia ( Gobi desert ), in southeastern Russia ( Transbaikalia ) and northern China (Inner Mongolia, western Manchuria ). In contrast, Hugh's hedgehog (M. hughii ) endemic in the People's Republic of China and lives in a small area in the north of the Chinese provinces of Shaanxi, Sichuan, Gansu and Shanxi.

Way of life

Like most other Hedgehogs are nocturnal steppe Nigel loners who spend the day in burrows or caves and go out at night in search of food.

System

The genus comprises two species:

• The Daurian hedgehog (M. dauuricus )
• Hugh's hedgehog (M. hughii )

The systematics of the steppe Nigel is controversial, sometimes they are added to the desert Nigeln ( genus Hemiechinus ) and sometimes to small ear hedgehogs ( Erinaceus species ) were counted. On the basis of morphological and molecular data but they are currently treated as a separate genus.