The role of unequilibrium dynamics of the number and genetic structure of populations in interspecific interactions of the russet (Spermophilus major Pall.) and the speckled (Spermophilus suslicus Güld.) ground squirrels in a wide zone of sympatry

The dynamics of the number and genetic structure of populations is one of the leading factors determining the success of the existence of populations in time and space. Based on observations (changes in numbers) and molecular genetic analysis data (CR and cyt b), the dynamics of the demographic and genetic structure of the populations of russet (Spermophilus major Pall.) and speckled (S. suslicus Güld.) ground squirrels in the sympatry zone were studied. A similar cyclical nature of the temporal dynamics of the genetic structure of populations in both sympatric species is shown.In the russet ground squirrel, a more ecologically plastic species and prone to migratory activity, population genetic processes occur on a large scale.The explosive demographic situation associated with the passage of populations through the “bottleneck” state is one of the factors leading to interspecific hybridization.