Additional Data on the Distribution of Spermophilus xanthophrymnus Bennet, 1835 in the Aegean Region, in the Inner Western Anatolian Part (Afyonkarahisar)

Introduction

The distribution of Spermophilus xanthoprymnus (Anatolian ground squirrel) is in Türkiye, Armenia, and northwestern parts of Iran. The Anatolian ground squirrel is one of three species of old-world ground squirrels native to Türkiye [1]. These native species include S. citellus Linnaeus, 1766, known as the European ground squirrel S. taurensis. However, Gündüz, Jaarola, Tez, Yeniyurt, Polly & Searle, 2007, nominated it as the Taurus ground squirrel and S. xanthoprymnus Bennett, 1835, on the other hand, commonly called the Anatolian ground squirrel. According to the ‘red list’ published by The International Union for Conservation of Nature [2], the species is under the category of Near Threatened (NT). Despite being designated for protection under the Bern Convention, this species does not receive the requisite significance in Türkiye [3]. Various academic studies draw attention to the fact that the ground squirrel species in Türkiye is in danger due to the occupation of habitat areas and that it needs to be protected [3, 4, 5].

The distribution of the species extends to the nearby central lowlands and eastern highlands of small areas in Türkiye [6]. They are also found in a few localities in southern Anatolia in both the Teke Peninsula and the Çukurova plain [7] they live in steppe areas and mountain slopes in central, eastern and northwestern Anatolia [8, 9, 10]. Anatolian ground squirrels are group-living, diurnal, hibernating, and pre-dominantly herbivorous, burrowing ground-dwelling squirrels [7, 11]. Squirrels do not nest in grain fields, sometimes preferring to live near them and eat tolerable amounts of grain [7]. There is no agricultural damage [5].

The aim of this study is to describe a new habitat location for S. xanthoprymnus in Türkiye. According to ecological conditions, sensitive habitats can be detected for this species throughout the country. Gene maps and population distribution maps should be generated to understand distribution of species. Scenarios of climate change can be produced to predict the situation of the species over time. To be able to perform all these studies, accurate comparisons should be made in terms of locality, province, region, country and world. Additionally, this should be based on population status at locations close to each other. To form the basis for these studies, the locations detected in Yenibelkavak are of great importance.

Results and Discussion

The study represents the first record for S. xanthoprymnus in Yenibelkavak province and the second for Afyonkarahisar. Krystufek, et al. [13] first reported the species from Bolvadin-Hamidiya in Afyonkarahisar. The presence of the species was detected in two close locations in Yenibelkavak village (Figure 1). Location 1. 38°14’29.56”N 30°13’24.71”E, 1151 m altitude. Location 2. 38°14’37.98”N 30°13’44.67”E, 1156 m altitude. Locations far from 400 m as the crow flies (with a walking distance of 2 km) each other. These two locations are separated by a hill with a height difference from locations height of 20 m and a network of roads. Although both locations were found in the village pasture, no nests of the species were found in the area between the two locations. Currently the two locations are isolated from each other.

In this province S. xanthoprymnus is distributed in natural short-grass steppe habitats with short vegetation, as stated by Gür, et al. [9], Kart, et al. [7], Aksan, et al. [9], Kryštufek, et al. [13]. The vegetation of the area has been identified to include Astragalus sp., Papaver sp., Verbascum sp., Anthemis sp., Crataegus monogyna, Centaurea benedicta, Elytrigia repens, and Carduus marianus, alongside the agricultural crops Hordeum vulgare and Triticum aestivum located at the boundary. Our vegetation findings are consistent with the findings of Aksan, et al. [5], Gür, et al. [9], and Kryštufek, et al. [13].

Location 1 is in a pasture area of about 42,000 m2 in the area leading to the fields on the village entrance road. This is an area that villagers use constantly to graze their animals and reach their fields. On the way to their fields, they are accidentally run over by farmers’ vehicles and hunted by shepherds’ dogs. The second habitat is 14,500 m2 and located on the borders of the new residential area. With the construction of houses on the remaining plots, the habitat of the species is in danger of being completely lost. Natural displacement or migration to another habitat seems impossible from this area because it is surrounded by agricultural land, roads and residential areas. The destruction of pasture and meadow ecosystems is recognized by the result in habitat fragmentation, thereby affecting the habitat choices of different species [5].

The research conducted by Kryštufek, et al. [14] revealed that the population of S. xanthoprymnus has been diminishing over the previous decade, attributed to widespread agricultural operations that result in the destruction and fragmentation of its habitat. However, an analysis of the latest distribution maps of S. xanthoprymnus indicates that climatic conditions are also a primary determinant of these habitat preferences [10]. Understanding the nesting site requirements of this endangered species is essential, along with exploring the external influences that threaten its survival in the environment. One of the external factors affecting the survival of a species is predators. It has also been observed that Anatolian ground squirrels were hunted by Buteo buteo, Falco tinnunculus, Athene Noctua, Vulpes vulpes, domestic cats, and dogs in the field. Our findings regarding the predators of the species are consistent with the results of other studies [5, 7]. Except for these indirect negative effects, the local people do not directly harm the species.

The annual life cycle of the target species is divided into active periods; when they are active above ground, and the hibernation period, when they spend the winter in hibernation [1, 5, 10, 15]. As a result of the investigation, we found the life cycles of 2023 and 2024 as shown in Table 1. Observations indicated that temperature has played an affective role in determining the critical periods such as hibernation, mating, birthing, and the emergence of young from their burrows. The year 2024 set new records for both minimal precipitation and maximal temperature levels in comparison compared to the levels of previous years [12]. It was observed that the increase in seasonal temperatures led to earlier awakenings from hibernation, earlier mating, earlier breeding, and delayed hibernation on S. xanthoprymnus. Considering similar results, Aksan, et al. [5] highlighted the effects of temperature on biological rhythms. Our findings, life cycle, hibernation period, mating time, births time, and offspring emerging from burrows are like those given by Karabağ [16] and Yiğit, et al. [15].

Anatolian ground squirrels were observed to be very active between 09:00 and 18:00 during the day. This finding is consistent with findings of Yiğit, et al. [15] and Aksan, et al. [5]. It is observed that species mate in May 2023 and April 2024 in Yenibelkavak province. S. xanthoprymnus usually mates in March in central lowland Anatolia [9] and in April in northeastern highland Anatolia [17] and adjacent Armenia [13]. The gestation period is nearly 30 days. Regarding gestation periods, our findings are similar to those of other studies [5, 7, 10, 17]. We observed that births occurred underground in May-June 2023 and April-May 2024. Offspring leaves their burrows in June 2023, May 2024 at province. In Figure 2, one of the two offspring was recorded in front of the nest on June 6. The emergence of offspring from natal burrows was observed at about four weeks of age in May in central lowland Anatolia, as in the studies of Gür, et al. [9], Gür [10], Kart Gür, et al. [7], and Aksan, et al. [5]. Sexual maturity is reached after the first hibernation period in Yenibelkavak, as reported by Aksan, et al. [5] and Yiğit, et al. [17].

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Our results are significant for the conservation of the species and its habitat as the studies of Özkurt, et al. [3], Irena [4], and Aksan, et al. [5]. To enhance the conservation of species within comparable habitats and to improve their population status, it is essential to reinforce habitat characteristics through the restoration and rehabilitation of the area. In Türkiye, Spermophilus spp. are defined as an agricultural pests, and the pesticides that can be used against the species are given in the web page database of the Department of Plant Protection Products of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry [18]. To protect the species, it is recommended to include correction texts in such bulletins and to update web pages to improve the image of the species declared as an agricultural pest and increase the effectiveness of conservation activities. The destruction of the habitat areas of the species can be prevented by taking stricter measures to prevent the unqualified use of the areas qualified as pasture and meadow by the District Directorates of Agriculture. The Regional Directorates of Nature Conservation and National Parks can include this species in wild animal protection training programs and increase the effectiveness of in situ protection measures by raising awareness of citizens. Taking appropriate steps to counteract these influences will not only protect the wildlife diversity at the national level but also contribute to the sustained diversity of species on a global level.

Conclusions

The findings of this study indicated that S. xanthoprymnus was only present in the second location in Yenibelkavak village. The second area is experiencing habitat loss due to increasing construction. Based on our long-term observations in the field, years longer than the 2023–2024 years given in the article, and the results of studies that looked at the species, as human activity increases in the field, the number of individuals in the species may drop, go extinct, or may spread to nearby habitats where humans don’t bother them. Whether the areas to be opened for development have value in terms of wildlife should be investigated by the relevant institutions, and construction should be permitted based on the report. This approach effectively protects both fauna and flora, ensuring their continued survival.

Acknowledgment

The author thanks Dr. Harun ÇİFTÇİ for helpful proofreading for the manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest and there are no funding or sponsor.