Spermophilus

Last updated

Spermophilus
Temporal range: Middle Miocene - Recent
Spermophilus major 203118140.jpg
Spermophilus major
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Tribe: Marmotini
Genus: Spermophilus
F. Cuvier, 1825
Type species
Mus citellus
Species

See text.

Relationships among the Marmotini according to cytochrome b data (Helgen et al., 2009: fig. 2): Genera that were formerly included in Spermophilus are in bold.

Spermophilus is a genus of ground squirrels in the squirrel family. [1] As traditionally defined the genus was very species-rich, ranging through Europe, Asia and North America, but this arrangement was found to be paraphyletic to the certainly distinct prairie dogs, marmots, and antelope squirrels. As a consequence, all the former Spermophilus species of North America have been moved to other genera, leaving the European and Asian species as true Spermophilus (the only exceptions are two Asian Urocitellus ). [2]

Contents

Some species are sometimes called susliks (or sousliks). This name comes from Russian суслик, suslik. [3] In some languages, a derivative of the name is in common usage, for example suseł in Polish. The scientific name of this genus means "seed-lovers" (gr. σπέρμα sperma, genitive σπέρματος spermatos – seed; φίλος philos – friend, lover). [4]

Habitat and behavior

As typical ground squirrels, Spermophilus live in open habitats like grasslands, meadows, steppe and semideserts, feed on the low plants, and use burrows as nests and refuge. [5] They are diurnal and mostly live in colonies, although some species also can occur singly. [6] They are found in both lowlands to highlands, hibernate during the colder months (up to c. 81⁄2 months each year in some species) and in arid regions they may also aestivate during the summer or fall. [5] The distributions of the various species are mostly separated, often by large rivers, although there are regions inhabited by as many as three species and rarely two species may even form mixed colonies. [5] A few species are known to hybridize where their ranges come into contact. [5]

Appearance

Spermophilus are overall yellowish, light orangish, light brownish or greyish. Although many are inconspicuously mottled or spotted, or have orange markings on the head, overall they lack strong patterns, except in S. suslicus , which commonly has brown upperparts with clear white spotting. [5] Size varies with species and they have a head-and-body length of c.17–40 cm (6.7–15.7 in). Before hibernation the largest S. fulvus may weigh up to 2 kg (4.4 lb) and the largest S. major up to almost 1.4 kg (3.1 lb), but they always weigh much less earlier in the year and other species are considerably smaller, mostly less than 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) even in peak condition before hibernation. [5] All have a fairly short tail that—depending on exact species—is around 10–45% of the length of the head-and-body. [5]

Relationship with humans

Ground squirrels may carry fleas that transmit diseases to humans (see Black Death), and have been destructive in tunneling underneath human habitation. [7]

Species

Spermophilus suslicus, a species that commonly has clearly white-spotted upperparts Spermophilus suslicus (G Lesniewski).jpg
Spermophilus suslicus , a species that commonly has clearly white-spotted upperparts

A generic revision was undertaken in 2007 by means of phylogenetic analyses using the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b. This resulted in the splitting of Spermophilus into eight genera, which with the prairie dogs, marmots, and antelope squirrels are each given as numbered clades. The exact relations between the clades are slightly unclear. Among these, the exclusively Palearctic species are retained as the genus Spermophilus sensu stricto (in the strictest sense). [8] According to a 2024 genetic study the genus can be divided into four major clades that diverged during the Late Miocene. [9]

East Asian clade
Asia Minor/European clade
Pygmaeus-clade
Colobotis-clade

Prehistoric species

Discovery and examination of one of the best preserved Eurasian ground squirrel fossils yet recovered allowed the study of many previously unknown aspects of ground squirrel cranial anatomy, and prompted a critical reassessment of their phylogenetic position. [10] As a result, three Pleistocene species previously considered members of the Urocitellus genus were moved to Spermophilus:

In addition to the recent species, three now-extinct species are known from the Pleistocene of Europe:

Spermophilus citelloides is known from the Middle Pleistocene to early Holocene of central Europe. It appears to be most closely related to the living S. suslicus. [11]

Spermophilus severskensis is known from the late Pleistocene (Weichselian) of the Desna area, Ukraine. It appears to have been a highly specialised grazer and close relative of the living S. pygmaeus. [12]

Spermophilus superciliosus is known from the Middle Pleistocene to reportedly the early 20th century, with a vast range across much of Europe, from southern England to the Volga and the Ural Mountains. It was similar in size to the recent S. major, and a probable ancestor of S. fulvus. [13]

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">Squirrel</span> Family of rodents

Squirrels are members of the family Sciuridae, a family that includes small or medium-sized rodents. The squirrel family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa, and were introduced by humans to Australia. The earliest known fossilized squirrels date from the Eocene epoch, and among other living rodent families, the squirrels are most closely related to the mountain beaver and dormice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marmot</span> Genus of mammals (large ground squirrels)

Marmots are large ground squirrels in the genus Marmota, with 15 species living in Asia, Europe, and North America. These herbivores are active during the summer, when they can often be found in groups, but are not seen during the winter, when they hibernate underground. They are the heaviest members of the squirrel family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ground squirrel</span> Type of ground-dwelling rodent

Ground squirrels are rodents of the squirrel family (Sciuridae) that generally live on the ground or in burrows, rather than in trees like the tree squirrels. The term is most often used for the medium-sized ground squirrels, as the larger ones are more commonly known as marmots or prairie dogs, while the smaller and less bushy-tailed ground squirrels tend to be known as chipmunks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin's ground squirrel</span> Species of rodent

Franklin's ground squirrel is a species of squirrel native to North America, and the only member of the genus Poliocitellus. Due to the destruction of prairie, the populations of Franklin's ground squirrel have dwindled, approaching levels of concern. Its decline in the eastern portion of its range is mostly attributed to habitat fragmentation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European ground squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The European ground squirrel, also known as the European souslik, is a species from the squirrel family, Sciuridae. It is among the few European species in the genus Spermophilus. Like all squirrels, it is a member of the rodent order. It is to be found in eastern and central Europe from southern Ukraine, to Asia Minor, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and north as far as Poland but the range is divided in two parts by the Carpathian Mountains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arctic ground squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The Arctic ground squirrel is a species of ground squirrel native to the Arctic and Subarctic of North America and Asia. People in Alaska, particularly around the Aleutians, refer to them as "parka" squirrels, most likely because their pelt is good for the ruff on parkas and for clothing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical ground squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The tropical ground squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. At one time the species was originally described as Spermophilus adocetus, but the genus Spermophilus was revised and subdivided in 2009 and it was placed in the genus Notocitellus. It is endemic to arid upland areas and deciduous woodland in Mexico. It is locally referred to as Cuinique.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbian ground squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The Columbian ground squirrel is a species of rodent common in certain regions of Canada and the northwestern United States. It is the second largest member of the genus Urocitellus, which is part of the tribe Marmotini, along with marmots, chipmunks, prairie dogs, and other holarctic ground squirrels. They are stout, with short dense fur, which is characteristically tawny across the bridge of the nose. Social encounters sometimes are initiated with kissing behavior and the most common activity above ground is standing at attention. Residing in mountainous terrain and high plains in northern latitudes, they hibernate for 8 to 9 months of the year in burrows, which may be used for many years. They are emaciated when emerging in the spring. The Columbian ground squirrel came to the attention of the scientific community through writings produced by Lewis and Clark, while 21st century molecular genetics has more finely illuminated its ties with other close relatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-cheeked ground squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The red-cheeked ground squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is commonly referred to as the red-cheeked ground souslik and there are several recognized subspecies. It is found in central Asia. Spermophilus brunnescens, Spermophilus heptneri and Spermophilus ungae are accepted as synonyms. There is some controversy over whether Spermophilus pallidicauda and Spermophilus brevicauda should be regarded as synonyms or full species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little ground squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The little ground squirrel or little souslik, is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Speckled ground squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The speckled ground squirrel or spotted souslik is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae from Eastern Europe. Spermophilus suslicus consists of three subspecies: S. s. boristhenicus, S. s. guttatus, and S. s. suslicus. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asia Minor ground squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The Asia Minor ground squirrel, also known as Anatolian souslik, Anatolian ground squirrel, is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in Armenia, Iran, and Turkey. The scientific name roughly translates as "seed-lover with yellow underparts".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xerinae</span> Subfamily of mammals

The Xerinae comprise a subfamily of squirrels, many of which are highly terrestrial. It includes the tribes Marmotini, Xerini, and Protoxerini.

The Taurus ground squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to the Taurus Mountains of Turkey. It was first identified as a distinct species to the Asia Minor ground squirrel in 2007.

<i>Otospermophilus</i> Genus of rodents

Otospermophilus is a genus of ground squirrels in the family Sciuridae, containing three species from Mexico and the United States. Otospermophilus was formerly placed in the large ground squirrel genus Spermophilus, as a subgenus or species group. Since DNA sequencing of the cytochrome b gene has shown Spermophilus to be paraphyletic to the prairie dogs and marmots, it is now separated, along with six other genera.

Spermophilus brevicauda is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in eastern Kazakhstan and the northern half of the Xinjiang region of China.

<i>Xerospermophilus</i> Genus of rodents

Pygmy ground squirrels are small ground squirrels in the genus Xerospermophilus, family Sciuridae, containing four species from Mexico and the United States. The members of this genus were formerly placed in the large ground squirrel genus Spermophilus. Since DNA sequencing of the cytochrome b gene showed that Spermophilus was paraphyletic to the prairie dogs and marmots, this group is now separated, along with six other genera. Within the genus, the Mohave ground squirrel and the round-tailed ground squirrel were thought to be close relatives, sometimes a subgenus Xerospermophilus, while the spotted ground squirrel and the Perote ground squirrel were formerly placed in the subgenus Ictidomys.

<i>Urocitellus</i> Genus of rodents

Urocitellus is a genus of ground squirrels. They were previously believed to belong to the much larger genus Spermophilus, but DNA sequencing of the cytochrome b gene showed that this group was paraphyletic to the prairie dogs and marmots, and could therefore no longer be retained as a single genus. As a result, Urocitellus is now considered as a genus in its own right.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rio Grande ground squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The Rio Grande ground squirrel is a species of squirrel in the family Sciuridae. It is found in the south-western United States and in north-eastern Mexico.

References

  1. ↑ Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M., eds. (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  2. ↑ Helgen Kristofer M; et al. (2009). "Generic revision in the Holarctic ground squirrel genus Spermophilus". Journal of Mammalogy. 90 (2): 270–305. doi: 10.1644/07-mamm-a-309.1 .
  3. ↑ The Free Dictionary
  4. ↑ Palmer, T.S. (1904). "Index Generum Mammalium: a List of the Genera and Families of Mammals". North American Fauna. 23: 639. doi: 10.3996/nafa.23.0001 . Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kryštufek, B.; B. Vohralík (2012). "Taxonomic revision of the Palaearctic rodents (Rodentia). Part 1 (Eutamias and Spermophilus)". Lynx, N. S. (Praha). 43: 17–111.
  6. ↑ Smith, A.T.; Y. Xie, eds. (2008). A Guide to the Mammals of China. Princeton University Press. pp. 193–196. ISBN   978-0-691-09984-2.
  7. ↑ Encyclopædia Britannica
  8. ↑ Helgen, Kristofer M.; Cole, F. Russel; Helgen, Lauren E. & Wilson, Don E (2009). "Generic Revision in the Holarctic Ground Squirrel Genus Spermophilus". Journal of Mammalogy. 90 (2): 270–305. doi: 10.1644/07-MAMM-A-309.1 .
  9. ↑ Simonov, Evgeniy; Lopatina, Natalia V.; Titov, Sergey V.; Ivanova, Anastasiya D.; Brandler, Oleg V.; Surin, Vadim L.; Matrosova, Vera A.; Dvilis, Alisa E.; Oreshkova, Nataliya V.; Kapustina, Svetlana Yu.; Golenishchev, Fedor N.; Ermakov, Oleg A. (1 June 2024). "Traditional multilocus phylogeny fails to fully resolve Palearctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus) relationships but reveals a new species endemic to West Siberia". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 195: 108057. Bibcode:2024MolPE.19508057S. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108057. ISSN   1055-7903. PMID   38471598.
  10. ↑ Maxim V. Sinitsa; Natalia V. Pogodina; Lyudmila Y. Кryuchkova (2019). "The skull of Spermophilus nogaici (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Xerinae) and the affinities of the earliest Old World ground squirrels". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 186 (3): 826–864. doi:10.1093/zoolinnean/zly092.
  11. ↑ Sinitsa, Maxim V.; Virág, Attila; Pazonyi, Piroska; Knitlová, Markéta (29 October 2019). "Redescription and phylogenetic relationships of Spermophilus citelloides (Rodentia: Sciuridae: Xerinae), a ground squirrel from the Middle Pleistocene – Holocene of Central Europe". Historical Biology. 33: 19–39. doi:10.1080/08912963.2019.1677640. ISSN   0891-2963. S2CID   208578857.
  12. ↑ Popova, L. V.; Maul, L. C.; Zagorodniuk, I. V.; Veklych, Yu. M.; Shydlovskiy, P. S.; Pogodina, N. V.; Bondar, K. M.; Strukova, T. V.; Parfitt, S. A. (10 March 2019). "'Good fences make good neighbours': Concepts and records of range dynamics in ground squirrels and geographical barriers in the Pleistocene of the Circum-Black Sea area". Quaternary International. Bridging Europe and Asia: Quaternary stratigraphy and paleolithic human occupation. 509: 103–120. Bibcode:2019QuInt.509..103P. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2018.03.023. ISSN   1040-6182.
  13. ↑ Popova, L. V. (28 October 2016). "Evolutionary lineage of Spermophilus superciliosus – S. fulvus (Rodentia, Sciuridae) in the quaternary of the Dnieper area: An ability of a biostratigraphical implication". Quaternary International. The Quaternary of the Urals: Global trends and Pan-European Quaternary records. 420: 319–328. Bibcode:2016QuInt.420..319P. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2015.10.104. ISSN   1040-6182.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.