Tian Shan ground squirrel
Tian Shan ground squirrel | |
---|---|
Conservation status | |
![]() Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Family: | Sciuridae |
Genus: | Spermophilus |
Species: | S. nilkaensis |
Binomial name | |
Spermophilus nilkaensis Lanxin & Sibo, 1989 |
The Tian Shan ground squirrel (Spermophilus nilkaensis) is a species of squirrel found in the grasslands of western China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. A close relative of Spermophilus relictus, it was formerly considered the same species. It was formerly known as Spermophilus ralli, but that name is now known to be a synonym of S. relictus.[2]
Description
This ground squirrel is about twenty centimetres (8 in) long with a tail of six centimetres (2 in) and weighs 300 to 400 grams (11 to 14 oz). In the summer the coat is grayish or yellowish brown above with some indistinct lighter coloured spots, paler on the sides and yellowish-gray underneath. In the winter it is altogether paler and grayer. The tail has a distinctive dark coloured band and a yellowish white tip. There are no facial markings like those found in several closely related species.[3]
Distribution
This species is found in pastureland in western Xinjiang and Kazakhstan whereas S. relictus is found in the westernmost part of the Tian Shan mountains.[3]
Biology
This species digs a complex of tunnels with a number of entrances close to each other. It is diurnal but retreats underground during the heat of the day. It often stands erect outside its burrow on its hind legs surveying the scene and is quite vocal at times. The diet consists of grasses and other vegetation, insects and other small arthropods. It hibernates for about six months from early September and the female gives birth after emergence in the spring. The gestation period is about twenty six days with three to seven young in a litter.[3]
References
- ^ Smith, A.T. & Johnston, C.H. (2016). "Spermophilus ralli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136455A22266455. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T136455A22266455.en.
- ^ "Spermophilus nilkaensis Hou Lanxin & Wang Sibo, 1989". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. American Society of Mammalogists. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
- ^ a b c Smith, Andrew T.; Xie, Yan; Hoffmann, Robert S.; Lunde, Darrin; MacKinnon, John; Wilson, Don E.; Wozencraft, W. Chris (April 23, 2010). A Guide to the Mammals of China. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-1400834112 – via Google Books.
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- Espíritu Santo antelope squirrel (A. insularis)
- Texas antelope squirrel (A. interpres)
- White-tailed antelope squirrel (A. leucurus)
- San Joaquin antelope squirrel (A. nelsoni)
(golden-mantled ground squirrels)
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- Sierra Madre ground squirrel (C. madrensis)
- Cascade golden-mantled ground squirrel (C. saturatus)
(prairie dogs)
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- White-tailed prairie dog (C. leucurus)
- Black-tailed prairie dog (C. ludovicianus)
- Mexican prairie dog (C. mexicanus)
- Utah prairie dog (C. parvidens)
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(little ground squirrels)
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(marmots)
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- Black-capped marmot (M. camtschatica)
- Long-tailed marmot (M. caudata)
- Himalayan marmot (M. himalayana)
- Alpine marmot (M. marmota)
- Menzbier's marmot (M. menzbieri)
- Groundhog or woodchuck (M. monax)
- Tarbagan marmot (M. sibirica)
Subgenus Petromarmota: Hoary marmot (M. caligata) - Yellow-bellied marmot (M. flaviventris)
- Olympic marmot (M. olympus)
- Vancouver Island marmot (M. vancouverensis)
(western chipmunks)
- Tropical ground squirrel (N. adocetus)
- Ring-tailed ground squirrel (N. annulatus)
(rock squirrels)
- Baja California rock squirrel (O. atricapillus)
- California ground squirrel (O. beecheyi)
- Rock squirrel (O. variegatus)
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(Asian rock squirrels)
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(Old World ground squirrels)
- Alashan ground squirrel (S. alashanicus)
- Brandt’s ground squirrel (S. brevicauda)
- European ground squirrel (S. citellus)
- Daurian ground squirrel (S. dauricus)
- Red-cheeked ground squirrel (S. erythrogenys)
- Yellow ground squirrel (S. fulvus)
- Russet ground squirrel (S. major)
- Caucasian mountain ground squirrel (S. musicus)
- Tian Shan ground squirrel (S. nilkaensis)
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- Little ground squirrel (S. pygmaeus)
- Relict ground squirrel (S. relictus)
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- Merriam's ground squirrel (U. canus)
- Columbian ground squirrel (U. columbianus)
- Wyoming ground squirrel (U. elegans)
- Southern Idaho ground squirrel (U. endemicus)
- Piute ground squirrel (U. mollis)
- Arctic ground squirrel (U. parryii)
- Richardson's ground squirrel (U. richardsonii)
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- Perote ground squirrel (X. perotensis)
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