The speckled ground squirrel (Spermophilus suslicus) in Belarus: new localities, old threats, and prospects of conservation

The study was carried out as part of the project "Superrodent" and is devoted to the description of new record localities of the spotted ground squirrel (Spermophilus suslicus s. l.) discovered by the authors during 2019–2020. It is one of the rarest species of rodents and mammals in the fauna of Belarus in general. This species suffers from anthropogenic changes in the environment and its agricultural development and to ensure its protection it is listed in a number of ‘red lists’, including the IUCN Red List and the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus (since 2015). The search for ground squirrel habitats was carried out in two stages. The first included the analysis of the literature on already known localities and biotope preferences, including cartographic data to identify promising areas to search for. The second stage provides a direct survey of prospective sites, their photo documentation and a detailed description. In total, nine new habitats of the species were identified within four administrative districts of Minsk Oblast of Belarus: Nesvizh Raion (4), Stowbtsy Raion (1), Baranivka Raion (1) and Kapyl Raion (2). In addition, an inspection of the sites previously identified by the authors revealed that some of them have already disappeared or are in critical state, the reason for which is primarily the land ploughing. In fact, today there are only six viable suslik settlements in Belarus. All of them are confined to elevated areas of the Kopyl ridge, which is located in the northern part of the Continental biogeographic region. Most of the surviving colonies are not large and consist of a few dozen to 150 living burrows. The number of the only large colony (Yushevichi) is estimated at 10 to 11 thousand individuals. All other inhabited colonies are located at a distance as far as 6 km from the Yushevichi colony. In other regions of Belarus, despite searches, ground squirrels are currently not found. The key threats to the species' existence are the ploughing of colonies and the overgrowth of tall grasses and trees and shrubs. In our opinion, for the long-term preservation of the species in the country, it is necessary to establish an appropriate protection regime (management), as well as the implementation of comprehensive monitoring: monitoring of threats, successions of plant communities, and the state of ground squirrel populations. Suggestions for protection and further monitoring of locations are given. Among other initiatives, the authors sent proposals to local authorities on granting protection status to areas with settlements of ground squirrels.

Mice of the genus Mus in the Crimea: species diagnostics, distribution, and ecology

The paper presents the first detailed summary of the current state of mice of the genus Mus in the Crimea, namely of the house mouse (Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758) and steppe mouse (Mus spicilegus Petenyi, 1882). Morphological structures of the house mouse and steppe mouse are characterized and external and craniometrical features important for species diagnostics are presented. Most of the morphological characters tend to vary within the entire geographic range of both species. Body length of house mice is significantly greater compared to that of steppe mice. Tail length in house mice is greater than in steppe mice, but the tail index is greater in the latter. Therefore, house mice look more ‘short-tailed’, and this feature can be used as an additional diagnostic character. In steppe mice, the tail becomes thinner gradually from base to tip and thus it is awl-shaped. The tail of fit house mice, especially of autumn-winter generations, often has a thickened base, which increases the visual effect of a short tail. Among internal characters, the most significant are the differences between testicles size of mature males. For species diagnostics of mice of the genus Mus, the size and shape of the following cranial structures can be used: location of the root and frontal wall of the crown of the first upper molar (M1) in relation to the diastema; zygomatic process of the maxilla and zygomatic arch; palatine foramens foramina palatinum, and others. These are reliable characters for morphological identification of M. musculus and M. spicilegus in the territory of the Crimea, in the zone of their sympatry. Reliable diagnostic characters are the dimensions of palatine foramens. In general, the entire complex of characters analysed in this study should be used for correct morphological diagnostics of these species. Features of distribution and population dynamics of the house mouse and steppe mouse in the Crimea are studied. It has been revealed that both the house mouse and the steppe mouse are distributed mainly in the lowland part of the Crimea and the forest-steppe belt of the foothills. Data on the ecology of species are presented, including specifics of reproduction and habitat preferences. The place and role of house mice in small-mammal assemblages of various landscape and ecological zones are estimated.

The current state of the golden jackal population in the Lower Dnister National Nature Park

With the advent of the golden jackal in the Lower Dnister, certain changes have taken place in natural complexes, which are primarily related to the impact of the new species on the local fauna. Under such conditions, the number of jackals in certain areas, the spatial structure and location of separate packs are important information for the development of measures aimed at maintaining an optimal abundance of this species. Given the active impact of wildlife on natural systems, there are a number of both biological and purely social problems that need to be addressed. The effectiveness of solving such problems directly depends on the level of study of various aspects of biology and ecology of jackals. In addition, knowledge of the current state of the Dnister jackal population allows timely and effective response to new environmental challenges, which are associated with an increase in the abundance of new species and in its impact on the native mammal fauna. The results of the research indicate a certain competition of the jackal with other species of predatory mammals, in particular the fox and the raccoon dog. Thus, within the territories where the study was carried out, with the appearance of the jackal at the lower course of the Dnister, the red fox was not observed at all and the number of raccoon dogs decreased significantly. Habitats of separate jackal groups within the Lower Dnister National Nature Park have been identified and their total abundance has been established. The dynamics of settlement by the species of the Lower Dnister area is analysed, the conservatism of the species in relation to the residential areas is indicated. It has been established that in some parts of the park, in particular on the northern bank of the Dnister Estuary, the density of animals is about 12 individuals per 1000 hectares, which significantly exceeds the permissible sanitary and epidemiological standards. At the same time, in some parts of the floodplains of the Lower Dnister, density exceeds 0.5 individuals per 1000 ha, which indicates a complex spatial distribution of separate packs and groups of jackals. Mapping of the number of jackals in the park showed that groups far from the estuary are smaller in number (6–14 individuals), whereas groups near the estuary are more abundant (13–20 individuals).

Species diversity of bats (Chiroptera) in the Ukrainian Azov Region and features of their residence by seasons

The article presents the results of regional surveys of bats in 2010–2020 in places planned for the construction of wind farms. With the use of modern ultrasonic detectors, computer programs and an electronic library of voices, 15 species were found in the Ukrainian Azov Region. Their highest diversity (11–13 species) was revealed in places of intensive migration. First of all, these are the sites Armyansk, Chaplynka, and Askania-Nova, which are located between the Dnieper valley and the Crimean Peninsula. Probably, in this area, bats migrating from the northern and north-eastern regions cross the land and join those moving along the Azov coast. The movement of a significant number of animals is noticeable in the west of the Molochna River. A relatively large variety of bats occurs near the sites Botiyevo, Orlivka, and Primorsk, located directly on the northern shore of the Sea of Azov, along which the migratory movements of bats are particularly strong. During winter, with limited research in this period, 8 species were found, whereas 13 species during spring and autumn migrations and 11 species in summer. The almost complete transformation of the steppe into agrocoenoses bordered by forest belts and irrigation canals undoubtedly affected bats in addition to global warming. In recent years, in all places of the Ukrainian Azov Region, there has been a decline in the number of the common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) and serotine bats (Eptesicus serotinus), and an increase in the abundance of the noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula), Kuhl's pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhlii), Nathusius' pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii), and parti-coloured bat (Vespertilio murinus). In all seasons, the least common species were the brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), greater noctule (Nyctalus lasiopterus), lesser noctule (Nyctalus leisleri), Savi's pipistrelle (Hypsugo savii), and western barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus).

The experience of low-resource fauna research by using camera traps

The tasks of managing animal populations (conservation, exploitation, and control) require reliable initial information for their implementation. This information includes a number of parameters: spatial distribution, annual and daily cycles of activity, abundance and its dynamics, ecosystem relationships, reproduction, nutrition, mortality, and others. Of this broad set, abundance and territorial distribution are of basic importance. They affect all other parameters. However, these indicators are the most sensitive to the influence of factors of qualification and motivation of the performer. The solution to this problem leads to searching for ways to unify methods in order to reduce errors in the assessment. One of the solutions to this problem is the introduction of technical means such as camera traps. Camera traps have become an increasingly popular tool in wildlife research. With its help, the following tasks are solved: assessment of the number and spatial distribution of animals, daily and seasonal activity, and much more. This tool avoids the factor of subjectivity. At the same time, in our conditions, the price of a camera trap is high for a researcher. However, the methodological requirements for the study require the use of more than ten cameras. Thus, it becomes necessary to comprehend low-resource research and the results that they can bring. During 2018, research was carried out in the territory of the Chornobyl Reserve using six camera traps. The placement of camera traps was not systematic, but corresponded to the diversity of habitats. The objects of research were such representatives of mammals as the elk, deer, wolf, roe deer, wild boar, fox, raccoon dog, and hare. They are the ones that make up the set of species that can be effectively captured by a camera trap. The following results were obtained: daily activity, spatial distribution, quantitative characteristics of groups. As the results have shown, even a small number of camera traps makes it possible to assess the presence of the largest animals and their daily activity. It should be noted that this group of species is of the greatest interest from the viewpoint of regulation and protection. Numerical parameters such as quantity and relative abundance cannot be used for estimation. This is due to the high sensitivity to local conditions.

Species and ecomorphological differentiation of genus Arvicola (Mammalia) in Eastern Europe

The genus Arvicola is represented in the fauna of Eastern Europe by several taxa and ecological races of semi-species and subspecies rank. Morphological data indicate the taxonomic homogeneity of lowland amphibious forms and a high level of differentiation of some mountain fossorial forms. Analysis of variation of morphometric characters shows a substantial hiatus for the Carpathian form of Arvicola, considered as A. scherman, as well as the absence of sufficient differentiation among other forms such as in lowland water voles from different parts of Ukraine or in mountain forms from the Northern Caucasus. Morphological features of the Carpathian taxon (A. scherman gutsulius) are stable compared to other mountain water vole populations from Europe and its substantial differences from the Caucasian form, which is very close to the lowland A. amphibius, do not support the idea of the ‘effect of mountains’ in the formation of small fossorial forms of Arvicola. The Carpathian Arvicola differs from all of the studied lowland forms in both morphometric and craniometric characters, which are important in the taxonomy and diagnostics of water voles (coefficient of divergence in body and skull dimensions reach CD = 4...5 ϭ. The mountain water vole (A. scherman) is characterized by a number of paedomorphic features that should be recognized as an ancestral state (plesiomorpy), whereas the European water vole (A. amphibius) is considered as an evolutionary advanced and gerontomorphic form. These two species are allopatric and the border between their distribution ranges coincide with the geographic limits of lowland and mountain faunal assemblages. Evidence for the recognition of the mountain fossorial form as either a separate species or an ecological race of the lowland species is considered. The fossorial A. scherman can be included to the group chosaricus–mosbachensis, but it remains unclear whether it should be considered an ancestral form in the evolution of the lowland A. amphibius or as an example of recapitulation of characters due to secondary transition to fossorial lifestyle. A comparison of different geographic forms of Arvicola suggests that the formation of the group took place in piedmont–mountainous areas of Europe, whereas the forms distributed further east are probably derived from the European ones.

Characteristics of limiting factors affecting the state of hunting resources of Ukraine

The abundance of game animals that are in a state of natural freedom, as a natural resource of national importance, is the result of a number of different factors, which are divided into three main groups according to their origin and functional role. The feeding potential and the quality of protective features of habitats of wild animals are the main biotic factors determining the category of value of a particular kind of land, which should theoretically form the quantitative state and structure of aboriginal populations of animals and birds. Although direct dependence between the quality of hunting grounds and the abundance of faunal components of the biocoenosis was not revealed. A comparative classification of hunting grounds was carried out in accordance with the class of bonitet within the natural zones. It is determined that the low actual level of efficiency of national hunting in the research area does not correspond to the high average indicators of value categories (creditworthiness) of lands. At the same time, a significant additional role of the professional hunting approach to hunting management is observed. The highest profitability of hunting is where the highest level of intensity and quality of hunting management measures, in particular protection and biotechnical measures, are applied. Own observations confirmed by the analysis of state statistical reporting indicate the potential for biotechnological improvement of the value category of lands. In farms where wildlife management measures are regularly performed, the abundance of predators is controlled, measures against illegal hunting are carried out, as well as other anthropogenic factors are controlled, in particular where chemicals and environmental management of agriculture and forestry are observed, additional feeding sources for game animals is provided. In such farms, hunting performance indicators (achieving optimal numbers and the degree of use of hunting resources) are higher than in other farms with a similar natural potential. It has been established that, in addition to the quality of land, the following influencing factors have a limiting effect on the quantitative and qualitative state of populations of the main game species: anthropogenic factors such as illegal hunting and low professional level of hunting; biotic factors such as predation by wolves. The effect of other factors having a negative impact is not limiting.

Acoustic monitoring of bats: experience of organization in protected areas of Podillia

Most of the available data on bats in the national park are related to the monitoring of their number in wintering sites, and the study of summering bat populations remains an important task for further monitoring of biodiversity of the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park. Bats are an important indicator group of animals for assessing the state of conservation of faunal groups and studying the dynamics of biodiversity of nature reserves. Bats depend on the availability of suitable sites and are the first to respond to changes in the natural habitat. Acoustic monitoring was carried out using an Echo Meter Touch Ultrasonic Modules detector and a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite smartphone. The analysis of sound signals was performed in the Echo Meter software (version 2.7.23) from Wildlife Acoustics, as well as in the Kaleidoscope bat software. Bats were also trapped using mist nets. Natural shelters were inspected using a Trotec BO26 professional endoscope. Ten species of bats were studied: Myotis nattereri, Myotis daubentonii, Plecotus auritus, Barbastella barbastellus, Nyctalus leisleri, Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus kuhlii, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, and Eptesicus serotinus. The most common are species of the genus Pipistrellus and the species Nyctalus noctula (47.5%). River valleys are important migration corridors for migratory animal species. Seasonal activity of bats on survey transects is characterized by two peaks: spring (May) and autumn (September) migration periods. Acoustic activity of bats on survey transects lasts for eight months, from March to November. Autumn migration activity is longer than in spring. In the first decade of October, several thousand individuals of Nyctalus noctula were recorded flying in the valley of the Muksha River, near Tarasivka village, Kamianets-Podilsky Raion. The obtained data will improve the performance of work on assessing the state of conservation of faunal groups and changes in natural ecosystems. Preliminary results of the study will contribute to the organization of the program of acoustic monitoring of bats of the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park.

Comparative analysis of the diet of members of the families Mustelidae and Canidae

The article analyzes 151 food samples of carnivoran mammals of two families. It was found that the diet includes 49 food items in the studied species of the family Canidae and 42 items in species of the family Mustelidae, of both plant and animal origin. It was revealed that plant food is an important component of the diet of predators, since the frequency of registration of these objects is 46.4%. Most often, it is the remains of cereals and plant seeds. Rodents are the main food for both families (19% in Canidae, 21% in Mustelidae). A seasonal change in diet for both families was noted. Members of the family Mustelidae consume plants more often in summer and winter, while in in spring and autumn mammals prevail in their diet when the share of juicy fruits is the lowest. Rodents are consumed throughout the year, but their largest share was noted in spring, when this family is characterized by the greatest variety of food (Shannon's index is 2.0). For members of the family Canidae, the most important component of the diet in winter is dry fruits. The number of rodents in their diet also increases in spring. The summer period is characterized by the consumption of invertebrates and the absence of animal carcasses in the diet. In autumn, the share of juicy fruits increases and during this period the diet of Canidae is the most diverse (1.9). The lowest variety of food in species of the two families was registered in summer. Competition between the studied families may increase in spring when the most important food for the representatives of both Canidae and Mustelidae is rodents. There are some sex-related trophic preferences in both families. In particular, males of the family Mustelidae consume rodents more often (68.7%), while females more often feed on plants (56.1%). As for the family Canidae, the analysis was carried out on the example of the red fox. It was found that females of this species prefer plant foods and there are no ungulates in their diet. Males consume fewer plants (41.4%) and often forage in cattle burial grounds and landfills. Accordingly, the diet of males is more diverse compared to that in females. The Shannon index is 3.3 and 2.5, respectively.

Urban mammal fauna under conditions of a large city (on the example of Ulyanovsk, Middle Volga Region)

In this work, the topographic features of the spatial pattern of biodiversity of the urban fauna in general in the city are revealed: the number of urban fauna species has a maximum in the southern part of the city and a minimum in the western part. The mammal fauna as a component of urban fauna in general exhibits greater plasticity and adaptability in relation to humans compared to other groups of biota, for example, the insect fauna and avifauna. The urban mammal fauna in Ulyanovsk has historically formed due to the penetration of representatives of various faunal complexes that inhabit the region into the city area and its vicinities: (1) floodplain species associated with the river Sviyaga and its tributaries, 36.17%; (2) forest species living in pine-deciduous, deciduous-pine, and taiga forests, 46.81%; (3) upland-steppe species associated with Cretaceous landscapes of the right bank, 6.38%; (4) steppe species, including mammals of the left bank, common for the native feather grass–fescue steppes, 6.38%. Some animal species have remained in the city and in the region due to their spread by humans—introduced species and species kept in fur farms (10.64%). Synanthropic species are associated with human settlements (4.26%). The occurrence of species in different zones of the city (right bank and left bank) and habitats with an increase in the level of urbanization and a decrease in species diversity (1–5) are as follows: (1) green zones—parks and squares with woody vegetation, 31 species; (2) floodplain of the river Sviyaga within the city, 24 species; (3) summer cottages within the city, 15 species; (4) private sector with one-storey buildings, 5 species; (5) multi-storey buildings, 4 species. In general, in an urban environment, mammal species that coexist with humans make up 66.19 % of the total number of mammal species in the region. At the same time, the number of rare mammal species listed in the regional Red Book is 12.68%. Thus, when conservation measures for the protection of animal habitats within the urban environment are observed, most species are able to maintain stable populations.