Xerus rutilus (Cretzschmar, 1828)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6840226 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6818920 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/064D0660-FF87-ED7A-FF6F-F6C0F635F07C |
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treatment provided by |
Diego |
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scientific name |
Xerus rutilus |
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Unstriped Ground Squirrel
French: Ecureuil de Cretzschmar / German: Schlichtborstenhérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla terreste sin rayas
Other common names: Pallid Ground Squirrel
Taxonomy. Sciurus rutilus Cretzschmar, 1828 ,
“E slope of Abyssynia, Ethiopia.
Found in E Africa.”
Eight subspecies are recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
X.r.rutilusCretzschmar,1828—NESudan,andEEritrea.
X.r.dabagalaHeuglin,1861—SomaliaandSEthiopia.
X.r.dorsalisDollman,1911—WKenyaintoUgandaandSESouthSudan.
X.intensusThomas,1904—Ethiopiawheresubspeciesstephanicusisnotpresent.X.~~:massaicusToschi,1945—SKenya(MasaiMaraNationalPark).
X.r:rufifronsDollman,1911—NKenya(NEwasoNgiroRiver).
X.r:saturatusNeumann,1900—SEKenyaandNETanzania.
X. r: stephanicus Thomas, 1906 — E Ethiopia, Somalia, and NE Kenya. Records for Djibouti are only identified to thespecies level.
Descriptive notes. Head—body 226-269 mm, tail 182-203 mm; weight 252-369 g. The Unstriped Ground Squirrel is unique among African ground squirrels because it lacks lateral stripes. Dorsum has coarse pelage ofpale tan to red-brown, with individuals in drier regions morepale; eyering is buff to cream. Dorsumandtail are grizzled; venter and feet are paler than dorsal coat. Hair on belly is sparser than on back. Olive and brownish subspecies include stephanicus and dorsalis; other subspecies are more reddish. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 38 and FN = 70. Karyotype consists ofseven
pairs of metacentric autosomes, ten pairs of submetacentric autosomes, one pair of acrocentric autosomes, medium submetacentric X-chromosome, and small biarmed Y-chromosome.
Habitat. Dry savanna and scrublands in scrub thickets, open plains, and gravel flats from sea level to elevations of more than 2000 m. The Unstriped Ground Squirrel commonly occupies disturbed habitats and cultivated agricultural fields.
Food and Feeding. The Unstriped Ground Squirrel is opportunistically omnivorous; primary diet contains fruits (e.g. Adansonia digitata, Malvaceae), seeds (e.g. Acacia, Fabaceae, and Commiphora, Bursuraceae), leaves, and flowers, but insects are also eaten.
Breeding. Breeding occurs throughout the year. Males exhibit piloerection oftheir tails during sexual displays when approaching females. Pregnant females may move toward peripheries of homeranges to give birth and raise litters of 1-2 young. After young are weaned, adult females may return to her original burrows, while juveniles continue inhabiting their birth burrows until all individuals disperse from natal areas.
Activity patterns. The Unstriped Ground Squirrel is diurnal and makes significant use of burrows and termite mounds for behavioral thermoregulation. Daily emergence occurs well after sunrise when individuals bask in the sun and groom before beginning to forage. Influence oftemperature on daily behaviorsis displayed continuously as individuals strategically move between sun and shade. Individuals often rest in shade and press their venters against shade cooled or moist earth. Burrow systems are spatially isolated and built with 2-6 entrances often in shade of overhanging vegetation. Foraging, or any activity, is limited when air temperatures are high.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. [Loose colonies form in suitable habitat, and family groups of upto six individuals share a burrow system. Groups can have diverse composition ranging from solitary females with young to a single male with several adult females. The Unstriped Ground Squirrel can share burrows with otherspecies (e.g. the Striped GroundSquirrel, Fuxerus erythropus). Linearsocial hierarchies exist within colonies, with males displaying dominance overfemales for food resources. Adults use large overlapping home ranges of1-4 hafor females and 7 ha for males. Home ranges encompass multiple burrow systems, and individuals may take refuge in another colony’s burrow when threatened. Unstriped Ground Squirrels communicate through a variety ofvocalizations and visual displays. Scolding calls, threatening lunges, chases, and occasional fights occur during agonistic interactions. When threatened by a superior colony member, subordinate individuals vocalize, erect theirtail hair, and retreat.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Unstriped Ground Squirrel is widespread and presumably has a large overall population. [t occurs in a number ofprotected areas and is tolerant of somehabitat modification. Population trends arestable, and it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
Bibliography. Coe (1972), O'Shea (1976, 1991), Thorington et al. (2012), Waterman (2013d).
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.
