Lodgepole chipmunk

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Lodgepole chipmunk
Lodgepole Chipmunk (Neotamias speciosus).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Neotamias
Species:
N. speciosus
Binomial name
Neotamias speciosus
(Merriam, 1890)
Synonyms

Tamias speciosusMerriam, 1890

The Lodgepole chipmunk (Neotamias speciosus) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in the U.S. state of California at elevations from 1,500 to 3,000 metres (4,900 to 9,800 ft). [1] The Lodgepole chipmunk has a variety of common names including: Tahoe chipmunk, Sequoia chipmunk, Mt. Pinos chipmunk, and San Bernardino chipmunk. [2]

Description

Females are larger than males. Female Lodgepole chipmunks have an average body weight of 55-69 grams whereas males on average are 50-60 grams. [2] Along with weight, body length in females ranges 197–229 mm (7.8–9.0 in), while males are 200–222 mm (7.9–8.7 in). [2] Body patterns remain consistent in both sexes as they exhibit characteristic white dorsal and facial stripes, where the central dorsal stripes are less prominent and closer to yellow-white than the lateral white stripes. In comparison to other close relatives, this species has darker and broader facial stripes. Other notable body patterns include dark black dorsal stripes, a lack of a black stripe underneath the prominent white lateral stripe, bright orange color on sides and orange-gray coloring on the shoulders, a gray under-belly, and a gray rump. [3] The top of the head, the crown, is known to be brown with some gray interspersed. The tail, lengthier in females, ranges from 13–22 mm (0.51–0.87 in) and is characterized by its black tip and cinnamon body. [4]

Distribution and habitat

Range Map of the Lodgepole chipmunk Tamias speciosus distribution map.png
Range Map of the Lodgepole chipmunk

The Lodgepole chipmunk spans from the high Sierra Nevada, San Jacinto, San Bernardino, and San Gabriel Mountain ranges of California into the Lake Tahoe region of the west central corner of Nevada. [5] This species lives in subalpine coniferous forests made primarily of several species of pines (Lodgepole, Jeffrey, Ponderosa, and Sugar) and firs (Douglas, white and red). They can be observed foraging around and on top of rocks and fallen logs, which make up the forest floor. [4]

In 1978, a removal experiment based on observations was conducted by Mark A. Chappell which took four different species of chipmunk into account. This experiment was to detail the process of removal by the different species. In the experiment, it was noted that the four different species were allopatric, meaning they formed non-overlapping borders in their Sierra Nevada habitat. Each species (N. alpinus, N. speciosus, N. amoenus, and N. minimus) was noted to live at different zones in the Sierra Nevada. The Lodgepole chipmunk (N. speciosus) was observed living from 2400 to 3000 meters in the lodgepole pine zone, between the alpine zone (3000+ meters) and the Piñon pine/mountain mahogany zone (1900–2400 meters). This ecological competition for different zones of a single area is determined by physiological and environmental limits, where each species is limited specifically to a zone that best fit each species' habitat preferences. [6]

The effects of burning and mechanical thinning were investigated from 1999 to 2000 and 2002–2003 in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains. This experiment was conducted through captures of Lodgepole chipmunks and the results indicated that over a short-term period, forest management techniques such as burning and mechanical thinning did not have a significant impact on the species in respect to capture rate or population number. However, the experiment did indicate that body mass of these chipmunks decreased because forest structure changed, limiting food availability provided by the cones of trees. [7]

Predators

Natural predators of this chipmunk include coyotes, foxes (primarily the gray fox), hawks (Cooper's and red-tailed), bobcats, and martens. To avoid such threats, the Lodgepole chipmunk is capable of climbing trees in order to seek safety and also minimize open exposure by utilizing the color patterns and markings of its fur to blend into its surroundings, providing camouflage against the environment. [4]

Behavior and communication

Several different vocalizations are used by the Lodgepole chipmunk during both courtship and when frightened by a predator. During courtship, visual displays can be shown through the action of tail flipping and body postures of both sexes. Alongside visual displays, during courtship males and females utilize chips and whistles. When frightened or alerting others, the Lodgepole chipmunk produces a high pitched "whisk", a shrill "tsew", as well as the series "pst-pst-pst-a-ku" in a rapid and repeated manner. [5] After caching food throughout the spring and summer months, hibernation begins at the end of October and lasts until early to mid April, a five-six month span. [4]

Diet and ecological role

The Lodgepole chipmunk is an omnivore, feeding on both animal (mammals, birds, bird eggs, small invertebrates arthropods, and insects) and plant matter (leaves, flowers, pollen, fungi, and seeds). [3] Like most rodents, this chipmunk engages in the foraging behavior of caching and storing food in order to survive the long winter hibernation. Through its diet, this chipmunk ingests seeds, which may not be completely broken down through the digestive process, and then defecated and dispersed throughout its habitat. Similarly, the Lodgepole chipmunk also disperses ectomycorrhizal fungi. This kind of fungi is important to forests, allowing for trees to subsist by increasing their water and nutrient gains. By dispersing spores, seeds, and pollen, the Lodgepole chipmunk plays an important role in the maintenance of the forest and mountain ecosystem. [4]

Reproduction

Through visual displays and vocalizations, both males and females engage in courtship. When the scrotum turns black and the testes are loosely relaxed, the male is ready to mate. Once per year Lodgepole chipmunks breed during May to early June, three to six young (pups) are born in early June after a one-month gestation period. Lactation provided by the mother allows nourishment to poorly developed pups, lasting for approximately one month, and then the young are independent by Fall. Young reach sexual maturity the following spring. Though not known, it is expected that like other relatives, the Lodgepole chipmunk exhibit a polygynous system of mating. Also, parental investment rests solely on the mother as the father of the litter does not provide parental care to his offspring. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chipmunk</span> Tribe of mammals (rodent (marmot))

Chipmunks are small, striped rodents of Sciuridae, the squirrel family; specifically, they are ground squirrels (Marmotini). Chipmunks are found in North America, with the exception of the Siberian chipmunk which is found primarily in Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Least chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

The least chipmunk is the smallest species of chipmunk and the most widespread in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

The cliff chipmunk is a small, bushy-tailed squirrel that typically lives along cliff walls or boulder fields bordering Pinyon-juniper woodlands in the Western United States and Mexico. Cliff chipmunks are very agile, and can often be seen scaling steep cliff walls. Cliff chipmunks do not amass body fat as the more common ground squirrel does. They create caches of food which they frequent during the cold winter months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpine chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

The alpine chipmunk is a species of chipmunk native to the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada of California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-pine chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

The yellow-pine chipmunk is a species of order Rodentia in the family Sciuridae. It is found in parts of Canada and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gray-footed chipmunk</span> Species of rodent in the family Sciuridae

The gray-footed chipmunk is a terrestrial and forest-dwelling species of chipmunk and rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to New Mexico and in the Sierra Diablo and Guadalupe Mountains in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas in the United States. Its natural habitat are coniferous forests. First discovered in 1902, they are distinguished by the unique gray dorsal colouring on the hind feet, hence the common name. They demonstrate sexual dimorphism, and the female is larger than the male.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gray-collared chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

The gray-collared chipmunk is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to Arizona and New Mexico in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merriam's chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

Merriam's chipmunk is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in central and southern California in the United States and a small area in northern Baja California, Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-cheeked chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

The yellow-cheeked chipmunk, also known as the redwood chipmunk, is a species of rodent in the squirrel family, Sciuridae. It is endemic to areas near the coast of northern California in the United States where it inhabits coastal coniferous forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palmer's chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

Palmer's chipmunk is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae, endemic to Nevada. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. It is named after Theodore Sherman Palmer, an American botanist and zoologist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long-eared chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

The long-eared chipmunk, also called the Sacramento chipmunk or the four-banded chipmunk, is a species of rodent in the squirrel family, Sciuridae. It is endemic to the central and northern Sierra Nevada of California and Nevada in the United States. Long-eared chipmunks have the longest ears of all species of chipmunks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

The Colorado chipmunk is a species of chipmunk in the squirrel family Sciuridae. It is endemic to Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-tailed chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

The red-tailed chipmunk is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in Alberta and British Columbia in Canada and Montana, Idaho and Washington in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allen's chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

Allen's chipmunk, also known as the shadow chipmunk, is a species of chipmunk native to the western United States. Occurring in California, Oregon, and Nevada, it is a common species of the Sierra Nevada.

The Siskiyou chipmunk is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to northern California and central Oregon in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonoma chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

The Sonoma chipmunk is a species of rodent in the squirrel family Sciuridae. It is endemic to northwestern California in the United States. Members of Neotamias are characterized by having two premolars. N. sonomae has two subspecies: N. s. alleni and N. s. sonomae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uinta chipmunk</span> Species of rodent

The Uinta chipmunk or hidden forest chipmunk, is a species of chipmunk in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to the United States. Formerly known as Tamias umbrinus, phylogenetic studies have shown it to be sufficiently distinct from the eastern chipmunk as to be placed in a separate genus, Neotamias. The same studies have also suggested that Palmer's chipmunk may actually be a subspecies of Uinta chipmunk, although the two are still generally regarded as separate species.

<i>Neotamias</i> Genus of rodents

Neotamias is a genus of chipmunks within the tribe Marmotini of the squirrel family. It contains 23 species, which mostly occur in western North America. Along with Eutamias, this genus is often considered a subgenus of Tamias.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ezo chipmunk</span> Subspecies of mammal

The Ezo chipmunk is a subspecies or local population of the Siberian chipmunk; it is found in what was once known as Ezo, namely Hokkaidō, Japan, and Sakhalin and the Southern Kuriles, Russia.

References

  1. 1 2 Cassola, F. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Neotamias speciosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T42582A115191427. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T42582A22268352.en . Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "North American Mammals: Tamiasspeciosus." North American Mammals: Tamias speciosus. Smithsonian Institution, n.d. Web. 5 December 2014.
  3. 1 2 [Reid, Fiona. Squirrels And Allies: Sciuridae. A Field Guide to Mammals of North America, North of Mexico. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006. 222-23. Print.]
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Quesada, Vivian, and Amy Chambers. "Tamias speciosus (lodgepole chipmunk)." Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan, 26 August 2006. Web. 10 December 2014.
  5. 1 2 Lodgepole Chipmunk | Mount San Jacinto Natural History Association (NHA)." Mount San Jacinto Natural History Association NHA. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 December 2014.]
  6. ↑ Feldhamer, George A. Chapter 26. Mammalogy: Adaptation, Diversity, Ecology. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP, 2007. 485-86. Print.
  7. ↑ Meyer, Marc D.; Kelt, Douglas A.; North, Malcolm P. (September 2007). Betts, B. J. (ed.). "Effects of Burning and Thinning on Lodgepole Chipmunks (Neotamias speciosus) in the Sierra Nevada, California". Northwestern Naturalist. 88 (2): 61–72. doi:10.1898/1051-1733(2007)88[61:EOBATO]2.0.CO;2. ISSN   1051-1733.
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