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$Unique_ID{QAD00016}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Genus Spermophilus. F. Cuvier}
$Subject{Genus Spermophilus. F. Cuvier; Spermophilus; }
$Journal{Quadrupeds of America: Volume I}
$Volume{Vol. 1:76-77}
$Genus{Spermophilus}
$Species{}
$Common_Name{}
$Log{}
Portions copyright (c) Creative Multimedia Corp., 1990-91, 1992
A U D U B O N ' S M A M M A L S
By John James Audubon, F. R. S., &c. &c.
AND
The Rev. John Bachman, D. D., &c. &c.
-------------------------------------------
VOL. I.
--------------------------------
GENUS SPERMOPHILUS. F. CUVIER
DENTAL FORMULA.
2 0-0 5-5
Incisive -; Canine ---; Molar --- = 22
2 0-0 4-4
The dentition of the Spermophiles differs from that of the true marmots in
the following particulars. The first longitudinal eminence (colline) is nearly
obliterated, and the curve (talon) which unites the second to the third is
prolonged much more internally, which makes the, molars of the Spermophiles more
narrow transversely than longitudinally, as compared with those of the marmots.
The teeth of the souslik (Spermophilus citillus) were examined by F. CUVIER, and
considered as typical of this genus.
Nose, convex; ears, generally short; cheek-pouches.
Body, rather short; mammae, pectoral and abdominal, from eight to twelve.
Feet, of moderate length, adapted for walking on the ground; nails, less in
size than those of the marmots, less hooked than those of the squirrels; on the
fore-feet, four toes, with the rudiment of a thumb, protected by a blunt nail;
second toe from the thumb longest, as in the marmots, and not the third, as in
the squirrels; hind-feet, with five toes.
Tail, generally rather short, and always shorter than the body; in several
of the species capable of a slightly distichous arrangement.
The species belonging to this genus differ from the true marmots, not only
in their teeth, as shown above, but also in several other striking particulars.
They have cheek-pouches, of which the marmots are destitute. They are by no
means clumsy, and in form are rather slender, and possess a degree of lightness
and agility approaching the activity of the squirrels.
With the genus TAMIAS they assimilate so closely, that some of the species
present intermediate characters, and authors may well differ as to which genus
they ought to be referred to. Thus Tamias quadrivittatus, and Spermophilus
lateralis, seem to form a connecting link between these two genera. It is to be
recollected, however, that analogous cases exist, not only among the mammalia,
but in every class of animals, and more especially in birds.
In referring again to the dentition of these allied genera, we may remark
that the anterior molar of the upper jaw, which is deciduous and falls out at an
early period in most species of true squirrels, remains permanently in all
species of the genus TAMIAS and is smaller than in the Spermophiles. These
genera differ also in the form and length of their claws. The long nails of the
latter, the second claw, moreover, being longest, places them near the marmots;
while the shorter, weaker, and more arched nails of the ground squirrels, in
which the third claw, besides, is the longest, approximates them more nearly to
the true squirrels.
The clucking notes of the chipping squirrels are replaced in the
marmot-squirrels by the shrill whistling or chattering sounds emitted by the
marmots.
The generic appellation Spermophilus, is derived from the Greek words
[sperma] (sperma), a seed, and [philos] (philos), a lover.
There are now twelve species of this genus known as existing in North
America, and three in Europe, and a few are set down as belonging to Asia and
Africa. Some of the latter may, however, after more careful examination, be
found to belong to the genus ARCTOMYS.