Expansion of the North African ground squirrel Atlantoxerus getulus (Rodentia) along the Moroccan Mid-Atlantic Plains

Abstract

Abstract The North African ground squirrel, Atlantoxerus getulus, is a Maghreb endemic whose northern limit in the central Atlantic plains of Morocco was located south of the Safi city. New observations show that the species is extending its range in the central Atlantic plains of Morocco and provide indications about its ecology in the new range. Field observations and enquiries of local populations conducted in the spring and summer of 2017 found the species 50 km further from the old limit. This expansion to the north along the Atlantic coast seems to have occurred recently and the species has become rather abundant only since 2–4 years. Atlantoxerus getulus settled in various habitats: low walls (52.8% of cases), abandoned quarries (18.9%), rock piles (stones) (15.1%), cliffs (7.5%) and traditional abandoned reservoirs (5.7%). The diet of this species in the region includes wild plants, cereals, and some damages to cultivated legumes and fruits are observed. In this conquest of new territories in the North Abda region, the anthropogenic habits of this squirrel may have negative effects on the human, poultry and livestock health.