Ammospermophilus leucurus (Merriam, 1889)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6840226 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6818960 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/064D0660-FF9A-ED68-FACC-FAA0FC1EF40F |
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treatment provided by |
Diego |
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scientific name |
Ammospermophilus leucurus |
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White-tailed Antelope Squirrel
Ammospermophilus leucurus View in CoL
French: Spermophile & queue blanche / German: Wei 3schwanz-Antilopenziesel / Spanish: Ardilla antilope de cola blanca
Taxonomy. Tamias leucurus Merriam, 1889 ,
“San Gorgonio Pass, [Riverside Co.], California [USA].”
The subspecies nsularis sometimes considered a separate species. Ten subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
A.l.canfieldiaeHuey,1929—SBajaCaliforniaandextremeNBajaCaliforniaSur(Mex-1CO).
A.l.cinamomeusMerriam,1890—SEUtah,NArizona,andSWColorado(USA).
A.l.escalanteHansen,1955—SWUtah(USA).
A.l.extimusNelson&Goldman,1929—mostofBajaCaliforniaSur(Mexico).
A.l.insularisNelson&Goldman,1909—endemictoEspirituSantoandPartidaIs,BajaCaliforniaSur(Mexico).
A.l.notomHansen,1955—NEUtah(USA).
A.l.peninsulae].A.A.l.,1893—PacificsideofNBajaCalifornia(Mexico).
A.l.pennipesA.H.Howell,1931—WColoradoandNewMexico(USA).
A. l. tersus Goldman, 1929 — NW Arizona (USA).
Descriptive notes. Head-body 188-220 mm (males) and 202-216 mm (females), tail 42-71 mm (males) and 55-66 mm (females); weight 104-117 g (males) and 96-105 g (females). The White-tailed Antelope Squirrel has a gray to slate gray dorsum and head, with a clear but faint single white stripe running length of each side; snout and legs washed with orange to russet. A white eye ring is evident. Venter is white to cream. Tail is grizzled to whitish with a black band near the tip. Subspecies are generally similar and distinguished primarily by allopatric distribution. Subspecies escalante and leucurus have conspicuously white feet. Subspecies canfieldiae, extimus, peninsulae, and tersus are darker forms. Chromosome number of the White-tailed Antelope Squirrel is 2n = 38.
Habitat. Sandy and rocky aridlands from low-elevation valleys to pinyon—juniper (Fnus, Pinaceae; Juniperus, Cupressaceae) forests. The White-tailed Antelope Squirrel is often associated with shrublands and cactus thickets.
Food and Feeding. The White-tailed Antelope Squirrel feeds on seeds,fruits and vegetation of cactus,Joshua trees and other yuccas (Yucca brevifolia and allies, Agavoideae), and assorted shrubs and herbs, but will also take live insects or scavenge dead animals.
Breeding. The White-tailed Antelope Squirrel inhabits burrows with a vegetation-lined nest chamber in which young are born. Most adults more than one-year-old breed once per year from February—September, earlier in the north. A single litter of 5-14 young is produced after a gestation of ¢.30-35 days with larger litters in the north averaging 9-3 young and 5-8 young in the south. Young emerge at ¢.50-60 days and all disperse from their natal area.
Activity patterns. The White-tailed Antelope Squirrel is diurnal and does not hibernate in winter, estivate in summer, or store fat, and it remains active in the high temperatures found in the desert. It can be a nuisance near gardens and cultivated crops.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The White-tailed Antelope Squirrel requires free water in its arid habitats despite its ability to remain active throughout
summer heat. It lives in shallow burrows across a 3-8 ha home range. Densities are low and adults are solitary with a linear dominance hierarchy evident among neighbors, established through physical combat and maintained by naso-oral investigation and contact. Aggression consists of lateral displays, tooth chatters, lunges, chases, boxing, and bites. Alarm calls are high pitched rapid “chitters” and trills that carry well in open dry habitats.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Population trend is considered to be stable. The widespread distribution of the White-tailed Antelope Squirrel and its ability to inhabit disturbed habitats suggest that its conservation status is secure at this time. Subspecies insularis, endemic to Espiritu Santo Island, is considered as endangered by the government of Mexico.
Bibliography. Belk & Smith (1991), Karasov (1983), Longland & Ostoja (2013), O'Farrell & Clark (1984), Thorington et al. (2012), Waitman et al. (2012), Whorley & Kenagy (2007).
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.
