Feeding Habits of European Ground Squirrels in Anthropogenic Habitats in Central Macedonia, Greece
The European ground squirrel (<i>Spermophilus citellus</i>) is an endangered mammal that inhabits open habitats with low vegetation in central and southeastern Europe. Its southernmost range includes northern Greece, where populations are declining due to habitat degradation and fragment...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Stefania Klagkou Dimitra-Lida Rammou Ioannis Tsiripidis Christos Astaras Dionisios Youlatos |
| author_facet | Stefania Klagkou Dimitra-Lida Rammou Ioannis Tsiripidis Christos Astaras Dionisios Youlatos |
| author_sort | Stefania Klagkou |
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| description | The European ground squirrel (<i>Spermophilus citellus</i>) is an endangered mammal that inhabits open habitats with low vegetation in central and southeastern Europe. Its southernmost range includes northern Greece, where populations are declining due to habitat degradation and fragmentation. Limited behavioural research on Greek populations underscores the need for studies to support conservation efforts. The present study examined the species’ diet and seasonal changes in food consumption in an anthropogenic area of Central Macedonia, Greece. Between 2022 and 2023, feeding behaviour was documented recording plant parts, taxa, and feeding durations, while plant availability was assessed through surface sampling. The results revealed that <i>Cynodon</i>, <i>Carex</i>–<i>Cyperus</i>, <i>Salvia</i>, <i>Solanum</i>, and <i>Plantago</i> were the dominant plant genera in the species’ diet, while rhizomes and leaves were the most frequently consumed plant parts. Seasonal dietary shifts were observed, with ground squirrels selecting specific plants and plant parts based on availability. Under resource-limited conditions, they adapted by consuming nutritious rhizomes or the less-common, but toxic, <i>S. elaeagnifolium</i>. These findings highlight the species’ dietary adaptability to Mediterranean and human-modified environments, providing valuable ecological insights and informing habitat conservation and improvement strategies. |
| format | Article |
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| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-1ea7bd8b74a1415985f051ef9c242e622025-08-20T02:17:25ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-04-0114438610.3390/biology14040386Feeding Habits of European Ground Squirrels in Anthropogenic Habitats in Central Macedonia, GreeceStefania Klagkou0Dimitra-Lida Rammou1Ioannis Tsiripidis2Christos Astaras3Dionisios Youlatos4Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceForest Research Institute, ELGO-DIMITRA, GR-57006 Vasilika, GreeceDepartment of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceThe European ground squirrel (<i>Spermophilus citellus</i>) is an endangered mammal that inhabits open habitats with low vegetation in central and southeastern Europe. Its southernmost range includes northern Greece, where populations are declining due to habitat degradation and fragmentation. Limited behavioural research on Greek populations underscores the need for studies to support conservation efforts. The present study examined the species’ diet and seasonal changes in food consumption in an anthropogenic area of Central Macedonia, Greece. Between 2022 and 2023, feeding behaviour was documented recording plant parts, taxa, and feeding durations, while plant availability was assessed through surface sampling. The results revealed that <i>Cynodon</i>, <i>Carex</i>–<i>Cyperus</i>, <i>Salvia</i>, <i>Solanum</i>, and <i>Plantago</i> were the dominant plant genera in the species’ diet, while rhizomes and leaves were the most frequently consumed plant parts. Seasonal dietary shifts were observed, with ground squirrels selecting specific plants and plant parts based on availability. Under resource-limited conditions, they adapted by consuming nutritious rhizomes or the less-common, but toxic, <i>S. elaeagnifolium</i>. These findings highlight the species’ dietary adaptability to Mediterranean and human-modified environments, providing valuable ecological insights and informing habitat conservation and improvement strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/4/386<i>Cynodon dactylon</i>dietary flexibilityforaging preferencesground squirrel conservationhuman-modified environmentMediterranean |
| spellingShingle | Stefania Klagkou Dimitra-Lida Rammou Ioannis Tsiripidis Christos Astaras Dionisios Youlatos Feeding Habits of European Ground Squirrels in Anthropogenic Habitats in Central Macedonia, Greece Biology <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> dietary flexibility foraging preferences ground squirrel conservation human-modified environment Mediterranean |
| title | Feeding Habits of European Ground Squirrels in Anthropogenic Habitats in Central Macedonia, Greece |
| title_full | Feeding Habits of European Ground Squirrels in Anthropogenic Habitats in Central Macedonia, Greece |
| title_fullStr | Feeding Habits of European Ground Squirrels in Anthropogenic Habitats in Central Macedonia, Greece |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feeding Habits of European Ground Squirrels in Anthropogenic Habitats in Central Macedonia, Greece |
| title_short | Feeding Habits of European Ground Squirrels in Anthropogenic Habitats in Central Macedonia, Greece |
| title_sort | feeding habits of european ground squirrels in anthropogenic habitats in central macedonia greece |
| topic | <i>Cynodon dactylon</i> dietary flexibility foraging preferences ground squirrel conservation human-modified environment Mediterranean |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/4/386 |
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