Mexican ground squirrel
| Mexican ground squirrel | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sciuridae |
| Genus: | Ictidomys |
| Species: | I. mexicanus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ictidomys mexicanus (Erxleben, 1777)
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Spermophilus mexicanus | |
The Mexican ground squirrel (Ictidomys mexicanus) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae.[2] It is endemic to central Mexico.[2][3]
Description
The Mexican ground squirrel is a small to medium-sized rodent with nine rows of white spots on its back.[2] It ranges in body length from 32.2 centimetres (12.7 in) to 38.0 centimetres (15.0 in).[2]
Distribution and habitat
The Mexican ground squirrel is found in central Mexico from Jalisco to Puebla.[2] It typically occupies grasslands and brush habitats where it is often associated with mesquite and nopal cactus.[2] It may also be found up to 3,200 metres (10,500 ft).[4]
Taxonomy
The Mexican ground squirrel was historically considered to have two disjunct subspecies; with one occurring in central Mexico (Spermophilus mexicanus mexicanus) and one occurring in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico (Spermophilus mexicanus parvidens).[2] In 2009, the northern population was reclassified as a distinct species, the Rio Grande ground squirrel, due to its smaller body size and geographic isolation.[3]
References
- ^ Linzey, A.V.; Timm, R.; Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T.; Castro-Arellano, I.; Lacher, T. (2016). "Ictidomys mexicanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T20487A22262744. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T20487A22262744.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g Young, Carole J.; Knox Jones, Jr., J. "Mammalian Species Spermophillus Mexicanus". doi:10.2307/3503778. JSTOR 3503778.
- ^ a b Helgen, Kristofer M.; Cole, F. Russell; Helgen, Lauren E.; Wilson, Don E. (April 14, 2009). "Generic Revision in the Holarctic Ground Squirrel Genus Spermophilus". Journal of Mammalogy. 90 (2): 270-305. doi:10.1644/07-MAMM-A-309.1.
- ^ Davis, William B. (1944). "Notes on Mexican Mammals". Journal of Mammalogy. 25 (4): 370-403. doi:10.2307/1374900.