Work

Record of albinism in European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) (Rodentia: Sciuridae) in Slovakia

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The European ground squirrel is a mammalian species whose populations are declining and has therefore become the target of various conservation projects in recent years. Currently, there are only a few dozen isolated populations in the Central European region. Increased interest in these animals has contributed to the first record of albino specimens of this species. A total of four juvenile individuals from two litters from one colony were observed, and in addition to the documentation itself, elementary behaviour notes were also made. All specimens did not survive to adulthood, confirming the low survival rate of aberrant individuals in the wild.

Source: Ecologica Montenegrina

DOI: 10.37828/em.2024.79.2

Authors: Viktória Vanerková, Adrián Purkart, Branislav Kršiak, Ervín Hapl

Institution: Comenius University Bratislava

Language: English

Topic: melanin and skin pigmentation

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $161