Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 125, May 2015. pp. 1-18. | Page 4

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Animals Unique to Palestine:
Mammals found only in this region include four chromosomal species of the
Palestine blind mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi) and the Naqab or Negev Shrew
(Crocidura ramona), the Palestine Golden Jackal (Canis aureus palaestina Khalaf,
2008), the Gaza or Palestine House Mouse (Mus musculus gazaensis Khalaf, 2007).
The Acacia Gazelle (Gazella gazella acaciae Mendelssohn, Groves & Shalmon 1997)
is sometimes considered a full species (Living National Treasures; Khalaf-von
Jaffa, 2005, 2012).

Acacia Gazelle (Gazella gazella acaciae Mendelssohn, Groves & Shalmon 1997). Photo
by: Eyal Bartov.
http://www.eyalbartov.com/Israel-and-the-Middle-East%D7%97%D7%99%D7%95/MammalsofIsrael/Herbivores/Acacia-Gazelle/i-BdQwL4m
Other unique Palestinian species include the Palestine Sunbird (Cinnyris oseus)
and the Palestine or Yellow-vented or White-eyed Bulbul (Pycnonotus
xanthopygos). The Be’er Al-Sabae’ (Be'er Sheva) Fringe-fingered Lizard
Acanthodactylus beershebensis is a critically endangered endemic reptile. Endemic
amphibians include the recently discovered Jerusalem or Judean Hills tree frog
Hyla heinzsteinitzi, and the Palestinian or Hula Painted Frog Discoglossus
nigriventer which has been recently rediscovered after being long feared
extinct and is now recognized as the sole surviving species of the genus Latonia
(Living National Treasures; Khalaf-von Jaffa, 2005, 2012).
Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 125 – May 2015