Black-capped marmot

The black-capped marmot (Marmota camtschatica) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to the Russian Far East, but its range is discontinuous and divided into three main parts, each with its own subspecies.[2] The black-capped marmot lives in arctic tundra and alpine habitats from near sea-level to an altitude of 2,000 m (6,600 ft).[2] It is a relatively small marmot (head-and-body length c. 39.5–61.5 cm or 15.6–24.2 in, weight 1.65–5.4 kg or 3.6–11.9 lb) with a short tail and a distinct brown-black top of the head.[2] Depending on exact subpopulation, they hibernate for 6–8 months each year, which is long for a marmot.[2] Black-capped Marmot hibernates from September to mid-May. It is a diurnal and sedentary mammal. Black-capped Marmot is subject to extreme conditions throughout the year. Solar altitude plays a significant role in the daily activity pattern of family groups of Black-capped Marmots.[3] So, the terrestrial activity of Black-capped Marmots is dependent on daylight period. They usually eliminate heat by lying on rocks or by entering the burrows.[4] It also alters the soil properties that affect the floral structure and distribution of the Arctic tundra by burrowing, hibernation, trampling and reproduction.[5] The main area (center) where the marmots live are gathered in two larger rooms typically so the family can hibernate in these areas. This is usually where the females give birth.[6]

Black-capped marmot

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Marmota
Species:
M. camtschatica
Binomial name
Marmota camtschatica
(Pallas, 1811)

References
  1. Tsytsulina, K. (2008). "Marmota camtschatica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Kryštufek, B.; B. Vohralík (2013). "Taxonomic revision of the Palaearctic rodents (Rodentia). Part 2. Sciuridae: Urocitellus, Marmota and Sciurotamias". Lynx, N. S. (Praha). 44: 27–138.
  3. Semenov, Y.; Ramousse, R.; Le Berre, M.; Vassiliev, V.; Solomonov, N. (April 2001). "Aboveground activity rhythm in Arctic black-capped marmot (Marmota camtschatica bungei Katschenko 1901) under polar day conditions". Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology. 22 (2): 99–107. Bibcode:2001AcO....22...99S. doi:10.1016/S1146-609X(01)01103-1.
  4. Semenov, Yu.M.; Ramuss, R.; Leberre, M. (April 2000). "Effects of Ecological Factors on the Diurnal Activity Rhythm of Yakutian Black-Capped Marmots (Marmota camtschatica bungei) in the Arctic". Russian Journal of Ecology. 31 (2): 118–122. doi:10.1007/BF02828366.
  5. Semenov, Yu.M.; Ramousse, R.; Le Berre, M.; Tutukarov, Y. (May 2001). "Impact of the Black-Capped Marmot (Marmota camtschatica bungei) on Floristic Diversity of Arctic Tundra in Northern Siberia". Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research. 33 (2): 204–210. doi:10.2307/1552221. JSTOR 1552221.
  6. Semenov, Youri; Ramousse, Raymond; Berre, Michel Le; Tutukarov, Youri (May 2001). "Impact of the Black-capped Marmot (Marmota camtschatica bungei) on Floristic Diversity of Arctic Tundra in Northern Siberia". Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research. 33 (2): 204–210. doi:10.1080/15230430.2001.12003423. ISSN 1523-0430.
  • Thorington, R. W. Jr. and R. S. Hoffman. 2005. Family Sciuridae. pp. 754–818 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.


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