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Observations On The Ecology, Reproduction And Behavior Of Spermophilus Bennett, 1835 (Mammalia: Rodentia) In Turkey, Şaki̇r Özkurt, Nuri̇ Yi̇ği̇t, Ercüment Çolak, Mustafa Sözen, Muhammed Mouradi Gharakheloo

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Field and laboratory investigations on the ecology, reproduction and behavior of Spermophilus citellus and Spermophilus xantophrymnus were performed over a period of 4 years. Both S. citellus and S. xanthophrymnus are diurnal species and occupy semiarid steppe areas in Turkish Thrace and Anatolia, respectively. Distribution of the former species is confined to restricted steppe areas in Turkish Thrace whilethe, latter lives on the Anatolian steppe, and is sympatric with Meriones tristami, Mesocricetus brandthi, Allactaga williamsi and Microtus spp. The burrows of both species have one entrance, and are built separately in the field. They constitute small social colonies and communicate …