Urocitellus elegans (Kennicott, 1836)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6840226 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6818978 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/064D0660-FF93-ED6E-FF6C-F6A2F6D0F241 |
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treatment provided by |
Diego |
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scientific name |
Urocitellus elegans |
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207. View On
Wyoming Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus elegans View in CoL
French: Spermophile élégant / German: \Wyoming-Ziesel / Spanish: Ardilla terrestre de Wyoming
Taxonomy, Spermophilus elegans Kennicott, 1863 View in CoL ,
“Fort Bridger,” Uinta Co., Wyoming,
USA.
Three subspecies are recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
U.e.elegansKennicott,1863—SWyoming,SEIdaho,NEUtah,N&WColorado,andextremeWNebraska(USA).
U.e.aureusDavis,1939—CIdahotoSWMontana(USA).
U. e. nevadensis A. H. Howell, 1928 — SE Oregon, SW Idaho, and N Nevada (USA). View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body mean 204-8 mm (males) and 206-7 mm (females), tail mean 72-7 mm (males) and 73-1 m (females); weight mean 329-9 g (males) and 284-3 g (females). The Wyoming Ground Squirrel is medium-sized, with mixed gray and buff dorsum and some indistinct mottling with gray more prominent on cheeks and sides. Venter is white, buff, or cinnamon. Upper side of tail tends to be grayer, suffused with brown and buff below. Subspecies are primarily distinguished by their three disjunct distributions. Habitat. Upland grasslands and sagebrush (Artemisia, Asteraceae) meadows, usually in montane regions. Wyoming Ground Squirrels can be found at lower elevations, particularly in rich well-drained soils and talus. They also occur in alpine meadows above timberline. They can feed heavily on agricultural crops and burrow into quality rangeland.
Food and Feeding. The Wyoming Ground Squirrel feeds heavily on grasses and forbs, consuming leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots. It eats insects, particularly grasshoppers, scavenges animaltissue, and exploits agricultural crops when available.
Breeding. The Wyoming Ground Squirrel inhabits burrows with a vegetation-lined nest chamber in which young are born. Males usually emerge a week before females. Females enter estrus within five days of emergence, and estruslasts for less than twelve hours. Litters average 5-9 young, and young emerge from burrows 4-5 weeks after birth.
Activity patterns. The Wyoming Ground Squirrel is diurnal and is active in mid-morning and early evening, perhaps to avoid midday summer heat in arid habitats. Individuals spend c.21 hours/day in burrows during non-hibernating season, probably to reduce heat load. Heavy adult males emerge first in early April, a week before females. Adults enter hibernacula first beginning in late July; juveniles remain active aboveground into September.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Wyoming Ground Squirrel lives in loose colonies and is relatively asocial, with individuals occupying their own burrow system in home ranges typically less than 0-5 ha. Social structure tends to consist primarily of adjacent related females and juveniles. Natal dispersal is male-biased and occurs immediately after weaning. Agonistic behavior is common during breeding and birthing. Vocalizations include two principal calls focused on alert and alarm: short and long high-pitched chirps.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List. Population trend of the Wyoming Ground Squirrel is stable, although information is limited. Habitat degradation and loss due to conversion to agricultural use are ongoing concerns. [tis shot and poisoned as an agricultural pest in some areas. Subspecies nevadensis has declined severely and is restricted to a single population in south-western Idaho and a few isolated populations in Nevada, USA.
Bibliography. Mateju & Kratochvil (2013), Seville & Stanton (1993), Thorington et al. (2012), Van Vuren & Ordenana (2012), Yensen & NatureServe (Mabee & Hammerson) (2008), Zegers (1984).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
