Phylogenetic relationship and variation of alarm call traits of populations of red-cheeked ground squirrels (Spermophilus erythrogenys sensu lato) suggest taxonomic delineation.

Abstract

Distribution area and taxonomic borders within the species complex Spermophilus erythrogenys sensu lato remain questionable. Early evidence suggests that red-cheecked ground squirrels of the South-East Kazakhstan are remarkable different by the acoustic structure of their alarm calls from the red-cheecked ground squirrels of the Kurgan region in Russia. In this study, we analysed the differences in the acoustic structure of the alarm call and mitochondrial DNA (complete control region, 1005-1006 bp and complete cytochrome b gene, 1140 bp) in three populations of red-cheecked ground squirrels (Tara, Altyn-Emel and Balkhash), all located within isolated by geographical barriers area in the South-East Kazakhstan. We found that the alarm call variables were similar between the three study populations and differed by the maximum fundamental frequency (8.46±0.75 kHz) from the values (5.62±0.06 kHz) reported for the red-cheecked ground squirrels from the Kurgan region of Russia. Variation in mtDNA control region was only 3%, whereas variation in cytochrome b gene was only 2.5%. Phylogenetic tree based on cytochrome b gene polymorphism of 44 individuals from the study area and adjacent territories indicated three clades with a high (98-100%) bootstrap support: ( intermedius , brevicauda , iliensis ). We conclude that the three study populations in the South-East Kazakhstan belong to the clade intermedius and suggest a taxonomical revision of the species complex Spermophilus erythrogenys sensu lato, including analyses of nuclear DNA and alarm calls for populations of the brevicauda and iliensis clades. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.