Subgenus Terricola, savii species group (Chaline et al., 1988; Zagorodnyuk, 1990; Pavlinov et al., 1995a). Reviewed by Krapp (1982d) under the name pyrenaicus; according to Spitz (1978), the latter is a nomen dubium and gerbei assumes priority, an opinion currently maintained (Mitchell-Jones et al., 1999). Corbet (1978c) included gerbei in M. savii, but chromosomal and craniometric studies underscore its specific integrity (Kratochvíl and Kral, 1974; Spitz, 1978). Chromosomal data (as pyrenaicus) summarized by Zima and Kral (1984a).

Brunet-Lecomte and Chaline (1993) and Brunet-Lecomte et al. (1995) identified gerbei and pyrenaicus as subspecies based on morphometric analysis of molar morphology. Another multivariate analysis of dental measurements phenetically placed M. gerbei (as pyrenaicus) between M. duodecimcostatus and M. subterraneus and disclosed minor morphological differences among the subspecies pyrenaicus, planiceps, and brunneus (Brunet-Lecomte et al., 1994). Those authors also hypothesized the gradual evolution of M. gerbei from middle Pleistocene M. mariaclaudiae.