Overwinter survival of hibernators is directly influenced by the fat reserves accumulated during the active season. The European ground squirrel, Spermophilus citellus, an endangered flagship species of the open grasslands of central and southeastern Europe, is no exception. Considering anthropogenic changes affecting its habitats in northern Serbia, we studied the species? feeding habits by subjecting its feces to microhistological examination. In addition to identifying plant remains in the feces, we examined the vegetation of the four study sites located inside a local mosaic of steppe and saline pastures. Our findings indicate that these remaining European ground-squirrel sites are diverse and stable grasslands covered by native flora that represents a complete dietary base for the species. The diet is dominated by a small number of plant species, specifically Achillea millefolium, legumes and grasses, with sporadic contributions from a number of other species. The diet of S. citellus also differs by location and season in that grasses dominate during the early season, while A. millefolium takes precedence later in the year. This dietary information is essential for the development of future species and habitat management strategies. In light of the predicted impact of climate change on grasslands in northern Serbia, our findings will be instrumental for translocations and conservation actions in the future.

European ground squirrels in Hungary mostly inhabit dry and less productive grasslands. The investigated 17 sites in Hungary were Pannonic sandy grasslands in natural or semi-natural (partly degraded) conditions. Composition of a local vegetation is characterized by geographic exposure, climate and management: grazing or mowing. Beside diet analysis of the animals, to reveale the demands of each plant species (especially foodplants) was informative. As a result of designation, species were connected to calcareous or neutral soils (R values), coenosystematic associations were diverse but dominated by fescue (Festuca), fescue and brome (Bromus). Dividing to floristic elements 43% of the main foodplants had wider -Eurasian, Eurasian-mediterraneandistribution area, and 33% belonged to endemic Pontus or European mediterranean flora. In point of Raunkiaer life forms 75% of the species were hemikriptophytes and perennials, but their numbers declined in arid periods. In present thermoclima cathegories (T values) most plants belonged to continental and submediterranean decidious forest belt, thus without active management (mowing and grazing) several grasslands would turn into forests. According to the water balance (W values) and nitrogen reactions (NB), more than half of the plants connected to dryer and less productive habitats while the other preferred foodspecies were sensitive to annual precipitation. Considering the conservation value cathegories (CVC) beside few protected species high ratios of accompanying species and disturbance tolerants were found. In social behaviour types (SBT) ground squirrels mostly fed on natural disturbance tolerants and generalists while avoided weeds. Summary, the distribution area of the foodplant species constrict moderately the area of the European ground squirrels, meanwhile arid periods and degradation of grasslands narrow the foodscale.KULCSZAVAK: növényevő, étrend, ökológiai indikátorok, természetvédelem KEY WORDS: herbivour, diet, ecological indicators, conservation BEVEZETÉSA mintegy száz éve még közönséges ürge [Spermophilus citellus (LINNAEUS, 1766)] előfordulása (LOVASSY, 1927) sajnos ma már egyáltalán nem közönséges. Csak az utóbbi évtizedekben egész elterjedési területén, becslések szerint mintegy 30%-os csökkenés tapasztalható, ezért az IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) 1996-tól sérülékeny (vulnerable) kategóriába sorolta. 2004-től európai közösségi jelentőségű -Natura 2000 -jelölő faj, 2012. október 1-től pedig hazánkban a fokozottan védett állatok közé került.