INTRASPECIES VARIABILITY OF SPERMOPHILUS RELICTUS SENSU LATO KASCHKAROV 1923 (SCIURIDAE, RODENTIA)

摘要

The intraspecies variability of Spermophilus relictus sensu lato was studied based on 27 measurements of skulls from 67 specimens of Relict Ground Squirrels (S. relictus) and 66 specimens of Tien Shan Ground Squirrels (S. ralli). Six specimens of Relict Ground Squirrels from the Gissar Range (Tien Shan) were also included in the analysis. A colorimetric analysis of 19 skins of Relict Ground Squirrels (including 3 specimens from the Gissar Range) and 19 skins of Tien Shan Ground Squirrels was made. A significant intraspecies variability was found in the Relict Ground Squirrel, as well as in the Tien Shan Ground Squirrel. However, the inter species differences between S. relictus and S. ralli, are small raising questions about the independence of the Tien Shan Ground Squirrel (S. ralli).