Ammospermophilus leucurus
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
MAMMALIA |
RODENTIA |
SCIURIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Ammospermophilus leucurus |
| Species Authority: |
(Merriam, 1889) |
Common Name/s:
| English |
– |
White-tailed Antelope Sqirrel, White-tailed Antelope Squirrel |
|
| Synonym/s: |
Ammospermophilus insularis Nelson & Goldman, 1909
|
| Taxonomic Notes: |
A. insularis is now considered a subpopulation of this species on Spirito Santo Island (Alvarez-Castaneda 2007). |
Assessment Information
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| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Least Concern
ver 3.1
|
| Year Published: |
2008 |
| Assessor/s: |
Linzey, A.V., Timm, R., Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T., Castro-Arellano, I. & Lacher, T. |
| Reviewer/s: |
McKnight, M. (Global Mammal Assessment Team) & Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) |
| Contributor/s: |
|
Justification:
This species is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it does not appear to be under threat and is unlikely to be declining at nearly the rate required to qualify for listing in a threatened category.
|
| History: |
| 1996 |
– |
Lower Risk/least concern
(Baillie and Groombridge 1996)
|
|
Geographic Range
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| Range Description: |
Extends from south-eastern Oregon and south-western Idaho east to western Colorado and north-western New Mexico (United States), and south through Baja California and Baja California Sur (Mexico). It also occurs on the islands of San Marcos and Espiritu Santo (Gulf of California). |
| Countries: |
Native: Mexico (Baja California, Baja California Sur); United States (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah) |
| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
Population
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| Population: |
Widespread and fairly common. However, in San Marcos island there are only three known locations for this species.
Recorded population densities range from 0.06 individuals/ha in late spring to 0.35 individuals/ha in autumn. There are multi-annual fluctuations in numbers.
|
| Population Trend: |
Stable
|
Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
Occupies desert habitats from valley floors to the juniper belt. Found in shrubby areas with sandy or rocky soil.
|
| Systems: |
Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
None known to the species as a whole.
However, the populations of this species may be threatened on the two islands in the Gulf of California by predation from feral cats and by human activities.
|
Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
There are no known conservation measures specific to this species. However, there are several protected areas within its range.
The population on Espiritu Santo is considered Endangered by the Mexican government (NOM-059-ECOL-2001).
|
