Spermophilus

Template:Short description Template:Italic title Template:Use dmy dates Template:Automatic taxobox Template:Stack begin Template:Cladogram Template:Stack end Spermophilus is a genus of ground squirrels in the squirrel family.<ref>Template:MSW3</ref> 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).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Some species are sometimes called susliks (or sousliks). This name comes from Russian суслик, suslik.<ref>The Free Dictionary</ref> 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).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

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.<ref name=Krystufek2012>Template:Cite journal</ref> They are diurnal and mostly live in colonies, although some species also can occur singly.<ref name=Smith2008>Template:Cite book</ref> They are found in both lowlands to highlands, hibernate during the colder months (up to Template:Circa 8Template:1/2 months each year in some species) and in arid regions they may also aestivate during the summer or fall.<ref name=Krystufek2012/> 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.<ref name=Krystufek2012/> A few species are known to hybridize where their ranges come into contact.<ref name=Krystufek2012/>

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.<ref name=Krystufek2012/> Size varies with species and they have a head-and-body length of Template:Circa Template:Cvt. Before hibernation the largest S. fulvus may weigh up to Template:Cvt and the largest S. major up to almost Template:Cvt, but they always weigh much less earlier in the year and other species are considerably smaller, mostly less than Template:Cvt even in peak condition before hibernation.<ref name=Krystufek2012/> All have a fairly short tail that—depending on exact species—is around 10–45% of the length of the head-and-body.<ref name=Krystufek2012/>

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.<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica</ref>

Species

File: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).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> According to a 2024 genetic study the genus can be divided into four major clades that diverged during the Late Miocene.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

• Spermophilus sensu stricto, Old World ground squirrels

East Asian clade

• Alashan ground squirrel, Spermophilus alashanicus
• Daurian ground squirrel, Spermophilus dauricus

Asia Minor/European clade

• European ground squirrel, Spermophilus citellus
• Podolian souslik (Spermophilus odessanus)
• Speckled ground squirrel, Spermophilus suslicus
• Taurus ground squirrel, Spermophilus taurensis
• Asia Minor ground squirrel, Spermophilus xanthoprymnus

Pygmaeus-clade

• Caucasian Mountain ground squirrel, Spermophilus musicus
• Little ground squirrel, Spermophilus pygmaeus

Colobotis-clade

• Brandt's ground squirrel, Spermophilus brevicauda
• Red-cheeked ground squirrel, Spermophilus erythrogenys
• Yellow ground squirrel, Spermophilus fulvus
• Russet ground squirrel, Spermophilus major
• Pallid ground squirrel, Spermophilus pallidicauda
• Spermophilus ralli
• Relict ground squirrel, Spermophilus relictus
• Spermophilus selevinus
• Spermophilus vorontsovi

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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> As a result, three Pleistocene species previously considered members of the Urocitellus genus were moved to Spermophilus:Template:Cn

• †Spermophilus nogaici
• †Spermophilus polonicus
• †Spermophilus primigenius

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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>