Sciurus anomalus, Gmelin, 1778
|
publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6840226 |
|
DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6818754 |
|
persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/064D0660-FFEF-ED12-FF60-F91EF5A1F2A8 |
|
treatment provided by |
Diego |
|
scientific name |
Sciurus anomalus |
| status |
|
Caucasian Squirrel
French: Ecureuil du Caucase / German: Kaukasus-Eichhdérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla del C 4 ucaso
Other common names: Golden Squirrel, Persian Squirrel
Taxonomy. Sciurus anomalus Gmelin, 1778 View in CoL ,
no type locality given. Restricted by S. I. Ognev in 1940 to Sabeka, 25 km SW of Kutais, Georgia.
Three subspecies are recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
S.a.anomalusGmelin,1778—Lesbos1(Greece),Turkey,Georgia,Armenia,Azerbaijan,andperhapsNIraq.
S.a.pallescensGray,1867—NIraq,andW&SIran(ZagrosMtsandFarsDistrict).
S. a. syriacus Ehrenberg, 1828 — Lebanon, W Syria, N Israel, and a small isolated population in extreme NWJordan. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 192-248 mm (males) and 198-235 mm (females), tail 120-157 mm (males) and 120-162 mm (females); weight 250-401 g (males) and 274-410 g (females). The Caucasian Squirrel is medium-sized, with chestnut-gray to grizzled buff dorsum, often suffused with buff, yellow, or tawny rust. Eye rings are buff to cream. Venter is chestnut to buff-yellow to bright orange. Tail varies from light brownish yellow to strong rust above, with grayish yellow below and often frosted with buff. Subspecies differ primarily in color of venter. Nominate anomalus has chestnutgray-buff venter, pallescens has pale grizzled gray venter, and syriacus has bright yellow to golden venter. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 40 and FN = 76.
Habitat. Mixed and deciduous forests dominated by pine (Pinus, Pinaceae); oak (Quercus), beech (Fagus), and chestnut (Castanea), all Fagaceae; and elm (Ulmus, Ulmaceae). The Caucasian Squirrel also occurs in coniferous forests and in structurally complex rocky outcrops. It is often found in chestnut, pistachio, walnut, almond, and olive plantations.
Food and Feeding. The Caucasian Squirrel is herbivorous. Tree seeds are primary foods with oaks (Quercus calliprinos, Q. infectoria, and Q. cerris) consumed throughout its distribution. Fir (Abies), pine (Pinus pinea and P. brutia), and Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani), all Pinaceae; and walnuts (Juglans regia, Juglandaceae), hazelnut (Corylus avellana, Betulaceae), chestnut, and beechnut, seeds are also eaten. Buds and other herbaceous vegetation diversify diets. Seeds and pulp of commercial crops such as apples, pears, peaches, grapes, cherries, plums, and cereal grains can be significant components of diets of Caucasian Squirrels. Insects, bird eggs and nestlings, and fungi are eaten when encountered. Tree seeds and nuts are cached by larderhoarding and scatterhoarding.
Breeding. Breeding can occur throughout the year, although intensity appears to decline in late autumn (October-December) and summer (June-July), with peaks in
April-May and August-September. Litters of 1-7 young are born in nests most frequently in late winter or spring and in mid-summer. Only females care for young.
Activity patterns. Caucasian Squirrels are diurnal and active throughout the year with a morning activity period from sunrise to late morning, often midday lull, and afternoon activity lasting until early evening. In winter, activity peaks during midday. Activity is reduced by cloudy and rainy weather; juveniles can remain inactive during cold periods. Caucasian Squirrels are highly terrestrial relative to most tree squirrels but do spend time in trees, although leaps between trees are rare.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Caucasian Squirrel nests in tree cavities, ground nests, or burrows, and it constructs spherical dreys of leaves and twigs. Although the Caucasian Squirrel is most often solitary, groups up to 9 individuals can feed in seed-laden trees, and multiple adults are known to nest communally. Individuals mark their home ranges with urine and feces. Scent marking by face wiping against branches has been noted. When threatened, the Caucasian Squirrel runs to the near est tree and escapes through the canopy. Major vocalization is a high-pitched, metallic sounding ‘chit-chit-chit,” used in response to a potential predator.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Population trend of the Caucasian Squirrel is decreasing. Subspecies syriacus is considered endangered in Jordan, and anomalus is protected on Lesbos. Lack of information on ecology, natural history, or threats likely impedes conservation and management efforts. This large-bodied squirrel is hunted for food and pelts and to eliminate crop damage in some areas. Young squirrels are captured and sold as pets. Non-consumptive value of observing Caucasian Squirrels appears to be increasing in protected areas. Populations are healthy in many forested areas in Azerbaijan and Turkey, although it is considered uncommon in northern Turkey. Population decline is noted in many peripheral areas of its distribution, dangerously so in Lebanon and Syria where hunting pressure and habitat loss continue. Climate change has the potential to negatively impact 98% of the habitat of Caucasian Squirrels through the 21* century.
Bibliography. Abi-Said et al. (2014), Albayrak & Arslan (2006), Amr (2000), Arslan & Zima (2012), Demirsoy (2006), Gavish (1993), Harrison & Bates (1991), Ognev (1940), Qumsiyeh (1996), Thorington et al. (2012).
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.
