Citillus xanthoprymna Bennett, 1835 Sciuridae Don E. Wilson Thomas E. Lacher, Jr Russell A. Mittermeier 4YKBM 99869 Bennett 1835 [1392,1950,302,348] Mammalia Sciuridae Spermophilus Animalia Rodentia 105 813 Chordata species xanthoprymnus    233.    AsiaMinor Ground Squirrel    French: Spermophile de Bennett/ German: Kleinasien-Ziesel/ Spanish: Ardilla terrestre de Asia Menor   Other common names: Anatolian Ground Squirrel   Taxonomy. Citillus xanthoprymna Bennett, 1835,   “vicinity of Erzeroun [= Erzurum],” eastern Turkey.  This species is monotypic.    Distribution.C lowlands, E highlands and Teke Peninsula of Anatolia in Turkey, marginally in extreme W Armenia (Alagez region) and NW Iran (Maku).   Descriptive notes.Head-body 145-233 mm, tail 33-35 mm; weight 272-312 g (males) and 172-174 g (females). Dorsal pelage of the Asia Minor Ground Squirrel is brownish straw-colored, without spots, but sometimes with grizzled appearance resulting from black bands on individual hairs. Snout and cheeks are grayish and faint yellow; eyes are encircled by pale buff to cream colored rings; and sides, venter, and limbs are dull yellow with pinkish buff. Upper side of tail is dull straw rust, while it is lightly suffused with rust on venter. It exhibits considerable variation in body size throughout its distribution, with larger individuals in colder and more seasonal regions. It also is sexually dimorphic in body size, with males being larger than females.   Habitat.Mainly short-grass steppe vegetation but also rolling rocky mountain slopes and close to agricultural grain fields at elevations of 800-2900 m.   Food and Feeding.Diet of the Asia Minor Ground Squirrel consists primarily of bulbs, roots, leaves, steams, seeds, seedlings, forbs, and grain crops. Insects such beetles, caterpillars, crickets, and ants and earthworms and small vertebrates such as lizards and amphibians are eaten. Cannibalism also occurs.   Breeding.Mating of the Asia Minor Ground Squirrel occurs 3-6 days after females emerge from hibernation, and mating season lasts for 3-4 weeks. During this period, males engage in intense competition for females, including physical combat against other males. Mating occurs in a burrow and a copulatory plug results in the female's reproductive tract. Gestation is 25-26 days. Females producelitters of 3-9 young (average of 4-7); neonates weigh 5-6-7 g (average 5-7 g). Young emerge from burrows at c¢.30 days old in April-July; weaning occurs at 45-50 days of age. In captivity, litters are 4-9 young (average 5-8). Females reach sexual maturity during their second year oflife.   Activity patterns.The Asia Minor Ground Squirrel is diurnal and terrestrial. It hibernates from mid-August to February-March. Juveniles begin to hibernate c.1 month later than adults. Males emerge from hibernation c.10 days before females in much better body condition. Hibernation is characterized by several torpor bouts, interrupted by short euthermic periods.   Movements, Home range and Social organization.Sex ratios of adult Asia Minor Ground Squirrels are female-biased, suggesting high male mortality probably related to male-biased natal dispersal and aggression among males during mating. Although colonial, individuals live in their own burrows. Densities have been estimated at 2-3 ind/ha for males and 6-3 ind/ha for females. Raptors are main predators of the Asia Minor Ground Squirrel, and when threatened, they seek burrows and vocalize with loud whistles. Burrows frequently have rocks near entrances; they can be divided into three types: shallow and simple auxiliary burrows used mainly as refuges and more complex nest and hibernation burrows that were deep (0-7-2-2 m), having a nest chamber and sometimes a food chamber.   Status and Conservation.Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. Current population trend of the Asia Minor Ground Squirrel is declining. Populations are estimated to have declined by 20-25% during the last ten years. Large-scale expansion of agriculture is the major threat, especially in central Anatolia. It is not hunted or trapped, probably due to their small size, but it can be a localized pest of grains and other crops. It occurs in protected areas. Research is needed to understand what will allow it to coexist in landscapes being changed by expanding human use.   Bibliography.Colak & Ozkurt (2002), Demirsoy (2006), Gir, H. & Barlas (2006), Gir, H. & Gir (2005, 2010), Gur, M.K. & Gir (2010), Gur, MK. et al. (2009), Ozkurt et al. (2007), Thorington et al. (2012). 3862940321 105 813