Destruction of Sound Signal Structure in a Peripheral Population (as Exemplified by the Gray Marmot Marmota baibacina).

Abstract

The variability of the alarm call of the gray marmot (Marmota baibacina) in the peripheral population in the valley of the Arpa River (Kyrgyzstan) is described. It was earlier reported that this population lived together with the red marmot (M. caudata). The authors did not find the red marmot there. Two forms of aberrations were found in the edge population of the gray marmot: amplitude modulation and no pause between the components. The destruction of the signal structure that is typical of the species is probably associated with the disruption of gene flow and does not contain clear signs of hybridization. The material was collected under the field conditions.