scholarly journals Seasonal changes in the infestation parameters of the sucking louse, Linognathoides laeviusculus (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Polyplacidae), infesting Richardson’s ground squirrel (Rodentia: Sciuridae) in Manitoba, Canada

2015 ◽  
Vol 148 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew E.M. Yunik ◽  
Jane M. Waterman ◽  
Terry D. Galloway
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Mean Intensity ◽  
Active Season ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Two Peaks ◽  
Host Influence ◽  
Urocitellus Richardsonii

AbstractLinognathoides laeviusculus (Grube) (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Polyplacidae) is a louse found on holarctic ground squirrels but little is known about how the life history, physiology, and hibernation of the host influence its population dynamics. Two hundred and fourteen Richardson’s ground squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii (Sabine); Rodentia: Sciuridae) were trapped over the summer of 2010, and the age, sex, and mass of all euthanised squirrels were recorded. Squirrels were hand-washed to remove lice, which were then identified to species, stage of development, and sex. Linognathoides laeviusculus was the only louse collected. In total, 5057 lice were collected with 63.6% of the squirrels infested at a mean intensity of 37.2 (90% confidence interval=29.98–48.66). Two peaks in prevalence of L. laeviusculus infestations occurred (April and mid-June), and one peak in intensity (June). Juvenile squirrels had higher prevalence and mean intensity when compared to adults. Adult male squirrels had higher mean intensity compared to adult females. Adult lice comprised most of the population infesting emerging adult squirrels in the spring but nymphs predominated for most of the active season of the host. Infestations were highly aggregated with k=0.203 and index of discrepancy D=0.813. The seasonal dynamics of L. laeviusculus appear to be strongly correlated with the annual cycle of the squirrel host.

Seasonal changes in body composition of the arctic ground squirrel, Citellus undulatus

1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Galster ◽  
Peter Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Active Season ◽  
Loss Of Weight ◽  
Glucose Synthesis ◽  
Arctic Ground Squirrels

The depletion or accumulation of body reserves is followed in terms of the weight and proportion of lipid, protein, water, and minerals in arctic ground squirrels during the entry, deep, and emergent phases of the hibernation season and after the reproductive phase of the active season. Average weight increased slowly through the summer, from a minimum of 346 g, until mid-August when 190 g accumulated in 3 weeks to be used subsequently during the 220-day hibernation season beginning in mid-September. During hibernation, the 325-g loss in weight represents 62% lipid, 26% water, 9% protein, and 2% mineral. Fat in lipid provides most of the energy but insufficient amounts of carbon for glucose synthesis during hibernation. However, protein provides an adequate gluconeogenic reserve. Significant loss of mineral indicates that skeletal reserves of calcium are important during hibernation. After hibernation, continued loss of weight by females indicates further utilization of reserves during gestation and nursing.

Ancient DNA reveals northwest range extension of Richardson’s ground squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii) into northeastern British Columbia, Canada, during the Late Pleistocene

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 855-866
Author(s):  
Thomas C.A. Royle ◽  
Dongya Y. Yang ◽  
Jonathan C. Driver
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Ancient Dna ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Mitochondrial Control Region ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Vegetation Communities ◽  
Peace River ◽  
River Region ◽  
Urocitellus Richardsonii

Ancient DNA was extracted from 12 500 to 10 500 year old ground squirrel bones from Tse’K’wa, an archaeological site in the Peace River region of northeastern British Columbia, Canada. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA from seven individuals demonstrates that all are Urocitellus richardsonii (Richardson’s ground squirrel), a species not found in the region today. Phylogenetic and sequence analyses indicate these individuals share a previously undocumented mitochondrial control region haplotype that is most closely related to haplotypes observed in modern specimens from Saskatchewan and Montana. At the end of the Pleistocene these ground squirrels extended their range north and west into open vegetation communities that developed when ice sheets melted and glacial lakes drained. They were subsequently extirpated from the Peace River region when forests replaced earlier pioneering vegetation communities.

Growth and its relationship to the initial annual cycle of the golden-mantled ground squirrel, Spermophilus lateralis

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 865-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Annual Cycle ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Reproductive Effort ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Active Season ◽  
Spermophilus Lateralis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Two Populations

Thirty-eight litters of golden-mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis), from two populations that experienced different lengths of active season, were born and raised in the laboratory. Growth and development in young were inversely related to litter size. Offspring from smaller litters were both able to attain their prehibernation peak of body mass sooner and hibernate after fewer days of homeothermy than squirrels from larger litters. Young that remained homeothermic throughout the initial overwintering period were always from large litters and among the slowest growing littermates. Fecundity was lower in females from the temporally compressed environment. There was no significant difference between populations in the nutrition provided by mothers to their litters. The results suggest that reproductive effort is more conservative in populations of ground squirrels that experience short seasons of activity, yet this conservatism allows the offspring of those populations to reach independence and attain the prehibernation state of preparedness at an earlier age than their counterparts from populations of more moderate climates.

scholarly journals Aspen parkland pasture altered by Richardson’s Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii Sabine) activity: the good, the bad, and the not so ugly?

2016 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Levi J. Newediuk ◽  
Isobel Waters ◽  
James F. Hare
Keyword(s):  
Plant Community ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Trifolium Pratense ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Nitrate Content ◽  
Ammonia Content ◽  
Aspen Parkland ◽  
Urocitellus Richardsonii

Although Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii) are considered pests throughout their North American range, their impact on forage in Canadian aspen parkland has not been explored. We investigated the effect of Richardson’s Ground Squirrel density on forage quality and plant community composition in an intensely grazed cattle pasture in the aspen parkland region of Manitoba, Canada. We detected no significant differences in forage protein content or legume, grass, and litter biomass among ground squirrel density levels. However, ground squirrel density did influence the abundance of invasive and forage plant species; greater squirrel density reduced the prevalence of Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis Leysser) and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and increased the abundance of Quackgrass (Elymus repens (L.) Gould) and Black medick (Medicago lupulina L.). Plant community diversity also increased with ground squirrel density. There were no differences in soil bulk density or ammonia content among squirrel density levels; however, soil nitrate content was highest at low ground squirrel density. Changes in available soil nitrogen and relative abundances of forage species on this pasture may affect cattle diet by altering both the availability and quality of forage. Our findings highlight the need for further investigation of the role of Richardson’s Ground Squirrel on rangeland in the aspen parkland region to ascertain the generality of the effects documented in our study. Until such effects and their implications for cattle production are understood, land managers should refrain from exterminating colonies of Richardson’s Ground Squirrel.

scholarly journals Research of foraging and resting behaviour of European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) in conditions of zoological garden as a tool for its restitution back to the wild

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-185
Author(s):  
Sandra Fraňová ◽  
Ivan Baláž
Keyword(s):  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Resting Behaviour ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Spermophilus Citellus ◽  
Long Term Observation ◽  
Two Peaks

AbstractWe decided to focus our research on two basic forms of behaviour occurring in colonies of ground squirrels in semi-natural conditions of zoological gardens-foraging and resting behaviour. Our main goal was to perform an analysis of behaviour of ground squirrels living in captivity and to compare these two categories of behaviour on a set timeline. Our research has been performed throughout the span of years 2011and 2012, during which we were able to observe two separate ground squirrel colonies (A, B). In the analytical part, we described the two main forms of ground squirrels’ behaviour in Zoo Bojnice and we subjected the compiled information to a thorough statistical analysis with the aid of main comparison tools. Based on long-term observation and the analysis of the results, we were able to gather detailed information about the two behaviour categories and their duration within a time frame. The results from the year 2011 confirmed that ground squirrel’s behaviour, bred in captivity, the display of foraging behaviour is the most frequent during the day, as was also observed in wild ground squirrels recorded by Ambros (Ambros, 1999). Within the year 2011 (without human activity) foraging behaviour reaches two peaks with raised frequencies of display, in the daily time periods, the first from 9 to 11 am and the second from 2.30 to 5 pm. We noted a change in behaviour in 2012, when there was a reconstruction nearby the enclosures. These reconstructive activities influenced the behaviour (significant decrease of activity) of the ground squirrels in the presence of the assigned workers approximately until 3 pm, from which time-also in connection with the lessening of the worker’s presence-the foraging behaviour of ground squirrels began to rise rapidly, which held the peak on until 5 pm. Resting behaviour had only one peak with rising trend during the day in dependence on rising temperature of bedding in the enclosure, on which ground squirrels used to sunbathe. These findings give us valuable information about ground squirrels’ behaviour in captivity as well as behaviour influenced by human presence, what can be used in behavioural research of ground squirrels in the wild.

Richardson’s ground squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii) are associated primarily with intermediate levels of grassland, clay loam soils, and human development in Canadian mixed-grass prairies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan J Fisher ◽  
Ashley N. Vass ◽  
C. M. Somers ◽  
Ray G. Poulin
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Important Habitat ◽  
Urocitellus Richardsonii

Richardson’s ground squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii, Sabine 1822) is a widespread burrowing mammal on the Northern Great Plains. This species is a prominent prey item for a variety of predators, and its burrows provide important habitat for other wildlife; however, Richardson’s ground squirrel is also considered an economically damaging agricultural pest. Despite the ecological importance of Richardson’s ground squirrels and their status as pests, there are gaps in our knowledge about large-scale habitat associations for this species. In 2011 and 2012, we conducted 1840 road-side surveys in a 130,000-km2 area of southern Saskatchewan, Canada to understand which habitat features are associated with Richardson’s ground squirrel occurrence. Ground squirrels were observed on 8% of the surveys. Probability of ground squirrel occurrence was highest in areas with moderate amounts of grassland (approximately 30%), areas that were developed by humans (>30%), and had a high proportion of clay loam soils, presumably for burrowing. Our study highlights the importance of heterogeneous landscapes and that areas disturbed by humans may provide suitable vegetation structure for ground squirrels. This information can help to identify important habitat for species that rely on Richardson’s ground squirrels and identify areas where Richardson’s ground squirrels could come into conflict with agriculture.

scholarly journals Social organization in a North African ground squirrel

2020 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 670-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemarie van der Marel ◽  
Jane M Waterman ◽  
Marta López-Darias
Keyword(s):  
Social Organization ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Size Composition ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Active Season ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Social ◽  
Cape Ground Squirrel

Abstract Research on sociality in temperate ground-dwelling squirrels has focused on female philopatry and other life history trade-offs, which are influenced by constraints in the duration of the active growing season. Temperate ground-dwelling squirrels that experience high predation pressure, are large in body size, and have a short active season, show a more complex social organization. In contrast, African ground squirrels are active year-round, suggesting that instead of a short active season, distinct selective pressures influence their social organization. We examined the social organization of Barbary ground squirrels, Atlantoxerus getulus, and compared the social organization of temperate and African ground-dwelling sciurids. Anecdotal accounts on Barbary ground squirrels’ social organization suggested that they were either solitary or gregarious, or live in small family groups. We recorded the group size, composition, cohesion, and genetic relatedness, of the population on the arid island of Fuerteventura, Spain. Our data indicate that females live in small (1–8) all-female kin groups separate from adult males, and that unrelated adult males share sleeping burrows with immature individuals of either sex. We observed sex-biased dispersal with males primarily the dispersing sex and females primarily philopatric. Females sleep solitarily during gestation and lactation and nest either communally or singly after juvenile emergence. During the day, males and females can be active in the same area. Barbary ground squirrels are social because the squirrels share sleeping burrows and show spatiotemporal overlap. Barbary ground squirrels’ social organization resembles that of the closely related Cape ground squirrel rather than that of the temperate ground-dwelling sciurids, although the former are more temperate, seasonal breeders. In addition to describing the social organization of a previously unstudied species, this paper sheds light on the ecological drivers of sociality, and the evolution of distinct social organizations in ground-dwelling sciurids.

scholarly journals High Spring Mortality of Adult Richardson’s Ground Squirrels, Urocitellus richardsonii, Associated with a Severe Rainstorm in Southwestern Saskatchewan

2012 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Gilbert Proulx
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Strong Winds ◽  
Heavy Rains ◽  
Urocitellus Richardsonii

Heavy rains with strong winds in southwestern Saskatchewan from 20 to 29 May 2010 flooded fields where adult Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii) had recently been live–trapped. Natural mortality rates in six marked populations (n = 11 to 29 animals) ranged from 9.1 to 42.9%. The mean mortality rate of populations (28.9%) was significantly greater than that estimated for four populations (8.5%) studied in April and May 2007 and 2008 during drought periods. This finding is in agreement with past studies on other ground squirrel species which showed that spring snowstorms and heavy rains caused an increase in natural mortality rates.

scholarly journals Observations of Nocturnal Hunting Behaviour of American Badgers, Taxidea taxus, in Southwestern Saskatchewan

2013 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 226
Author(s):  
Gilbert Proulx ◽  
Neil MacKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Taxidea Taxus ◽  
Hunting Behaviour ◽  
Urocitellus Richardsonii

This study describes the nocturnal hunting behaviour of American Badgers (Taxidea taxus) in areas inhabited by Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii) in southwestern Saskatchewan. Adult American Badgers searched for prey by zigzagging through clusters of Richardson’s Ground Squirrel burrows or by going back and forth between one enlarged Richardson’s Ground Squirrel burrow and other adjacent burrows. American Badgers’ movements were not random and they were oriented to encounter prey.

Seasonal activity and temporal separation of four species of fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) infesting Richardson's ground squirrels, Spermophilus richardsonii (Rodentia: Sciuridae), in Manitoba, Canada

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
pp. 1310-1322 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Robbin Lindsay ◽  
Terry D. Galloway
Keyword(s):  
Abundant Species ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Flea Species ◽  
Seasonal Activity ◽  
Temporal Separation ◽  
Mean Intensity ◽  
Spermophilus Richardsonii ◽  
Two Peaks

Fleas were collected from Richardson's ground squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii) livetrapped in two areas in southern Manitoba. Our objectives were to describe the seasonal activity of the fleas and determine whether peaks in mean infestation parameters for different species of fleas occurred at different times of the year. We also wanted to determine if the seasonal activity of Opisocrostis bruneri was different in the presence of other fleas on the same hosts. Activity of Richardson's ground squirrels at both locations was similar to that observed in previous studies in Canada. Opisocrostis bruneri, Oropsylla rupestris, Neopsylla inopina, and Rhadinopsylla fraterna infested ground squirrels near Darlingford, whereas only O. bruneri occurred at two Winnipeg sites. Females of all species outnumbered males during most weekly collection periods. Mean intensity of N. inopina was highest during April, when prevalence of infestation often exceeded 50%. Prevalence of R. fraterna seldom exceeded 10%; there were peaks of infestation on adult squirrels during early April and on juveniles from mid-August to the end of the season. Oropsylla rupestris was the most abundant species on squirrels at Darlingford, and peaks of prevalence and intensity of infestation occurred during April, July, and September. There were two peaks of infestation for O. bruneri, on adult squirrels in May and on juveniles during August. Patterns of activity of O. bruneri were the same for Darlingford and Winnipeg, despite the occurrence of three additional flea species on ground squirrels at Darlingford.

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