Use of Internet resources to estimate the abundance of species contacting with humans (with an example of the common hamster (Cricetus cricetus L., 1758) (Cricetidae, Rodentia))

Abstract

Meta-analysis of the spontaneous activity of Internet users is proposed as an alternative to traditional methods of counting the number of species which people often encounter in their lives. Using the wordstat.yandex.ru tool the statistics of search queries on the topic of struggle against the common hamster (Cricetus cricetus L., 1758) as an agricultural pest was collected for  4 years. The tool allows tying the obtained data array to particular administrative subjects. As a result, a “pest map” of the species (equivalent to its relative abundance) was compiles. Our comparison of these data with those obtained earlier for the furs harvest (1950s) has allowed us to reveal trends in its changes by provinces. It is supposed that search statistic analysis is an underestimated resource, which would allow one to effectively obtain information on the abundance and distribution not only of the common hamster, but also of other species frequently contacting with humans (brown rat, water vole, beaver, muskrat, etc.).