An analysis of the history of introduction, population growth and extinction of the European rabbit populations in Ukraine is presented. The history of the initial and subsequent introductions of the species, which were initiated in the northern Black Sea region about 140 years ago, is considered in detail. The centres of introductions were the balka systems near Kherson and the slopes of seaside estuaries near Odesa. The earliest dates of introductions are 1882 and 1894 in the Kherson region and 1898 and 1900 in Odesa region, later in other regions. There are contradictions in determining the status of introduced animals as to whether they were domestic or wild rabbits. The details of the earliest introductions and the subsequent fate of populations by region are considered: for Odesa, Ternopil, Poltava, and Mykolaiv oblasts, and for the Crimea. Attempts to describe the general range of the European rabbit in Ukraine are ana-lysed, including reviews of 1973 and 1994. The cadastre of recent (1960–1990) and modern (since 2000) finds of the species in Ukraine was compiled. In the cadastre, the data is summarized for seven regions: Odesa Oblast (14 locations), Mykolaiv Oblast (1), Kherson Oblast (4), Zaporizhia Oblast (2), Crimea (8), other regions of Right-bank Ukraine (3), other regions of Left-bank Ukraine (3). All such data are marked on a map. The cadastre includes also collection materials; NMNH (Kyiv) houses 81 specimens, including 27 specimens of the wild form from Odesa, 5 from Kherson Oblast, and 49 from Crimea. Four aspects of the European rabbit’s occurrence in Ukraine are discussed, particularly the limits of species range, type habitats, population decline in the 1980s–1990s, and factors that impacted the extinction of populations. Among the latter, evidence is given in favour of three factors: epizootics, overhunting, and climate change; each of them is an important factor in the existence and disappearance of a species. Finally, information on modern remnants of former colonies, which actually survived only thanks to artificial support, is considered: the outskirts of Odesa, Mezhyhiria, and some other regions with local introductions within individual hunting farms mainly in the forest-steppe zone. The prospects for the further existence of the species that has gone through a difficult path from being a successfully introduced species to a species that has almost completely disappeared are considered.
{"title":"The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Ukraine: 140 years from introduction to decline","authors":"I. Zagorodniuk","doi":"10.53452/tu2511","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53452/tu2511","url":null,"abstract":"An analysis of the history of introduction, population growth and extinction of the European rabbit populations in Ukraine is presented. The history of the initial and subsequent introductions of the species, which were initiated in the northern Black Sea region about 140 years ago, is considered in detail. The centres of introductions were the balka systems near Kherson and the slopes of seaside estuaries near Odesa. The earliest dates of introductions are 1882 and 1894 in the Kherson region and 1898 and 1900 in Odesa region, later in other regions. There are contradictions in determining the status of introduced animals as to whether they were domestic or wild rabbits. The details of the earliest introductions and the subsequent fate of populations by region are considered: for Odesa, Ternopil, Poltava, and Mykolaiv oblasts, and for the Crimea. Attempts to describe the general range of the European rabbit in Ukraine are ana-lysed, including reviews of 1973 and 1994. The cadastre of recent (1960–1990) and modern (since 2000) finds of the species in Ukraine was compiled. In the cadastre, the data is summarized for seven regions: Odesa Oblast (14 locations), Mykolaiv Oblast (1), Kherson Oblast (4), Zaporizhia Oblast (2), Crimea (8), other regions of Right-bank Ukraine (3), other regions of Left-bank Ukraine (3). All such data are marked on a map. The cadastre includes also collection materials; NMNH (Kyiv) houses 81 specimens, including 27 specimens of the wild form from Odesa, 5 from Kherson Oblast, and 49 from Crimea. Four aspects of the European rabbit’s occurrence in Ukraine are discussed, particularly the limits of species range, type habitats, population decline in the 1980s–1990s, and factors that impacted the extinction of populations. Among the latter, evidence is given in favour of three factors: epizootics, overhunting, and climate change; each of them is an important factor in the existence and disappearance of a species. Finally, information on modern remnants of former colonies, which actually survived only thanks to artificial support, is considered: the outskirts of Odesa, Mezhyhiria, and some other regions with local introductions within individual hunting farms mainly in the forest-steppe zone. The prospects for the further existence of the species that has gone through a difficult path from being a successfully introduced species to a species that has almost completely disappeared are considered.","PeriodicalId":52897,"journal":{"name":"Theriologia Ukrainica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46451792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The article presents data on the extirpation of the wolf in southern Ukraine in the 18th to the 20th century, which was financially supported by landowners and the state. This contributed to keeping the wolf population at a low level and then led to a reduction in its range. In the 1970s, in the steppe and forest-steppe zones, wolves permanently lived only in Moldova; in the north of Odesa Oblast; in the Pavlohrad district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; in Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts, as well as in the north of Poltava Oblast. From here, they spread to neighbouring territories, where they were quickly extirpated. The level of wolf decline was so significant, that in 1970 only 18 wolves were recorded in the steppe zone, and 270 in the whole of Ukraine. This contributed to the dispersal of the roe deer, wild boar, and elk to the south. After the reduction in the size of wolf hunting premiums, hunting pressure on wolves also decreased. Since there is a significant positive correlation between wolf population and hunting pressure (r = 0.93), the wolf's range and population began to grow rapidly. While in 1970 it was found in 14 regions, in 1976 it was already recorded in 18, and in 1981 in 21; in 2000, the wolf occurred in all regions of mainland Ukraine, and in 2003 it entered the Crimea. The process of restoring the wolf's range was accompanied by the emergence of wolf–dog hybrids, some of which are still occurring. Despite the harvest of 616.8 ± 102.68 wolves per year in 1970–1981, the wolf population increased by 6.5 times in Ukraine, and by more than 10 times in the steppe zone. A significant increase in its numbers was facilitated by a decrease in hunting pressure due to the adoption of the USSR Law ‘On the Protection and Use of Wildlife’ in 1980, which prohibited the use of inhumane methods in hunting on wild animals. In 1982–1992, the volume of wolf culling in Ukraine reached 71.1% (45.3–81.5), and in 1993–1999 was equal to 43.1% (34.9–49.3) per year. Naturally, due to the decrease in wolf hunting, there was a sharp increase in the wolf population, which in the steppe zone increased by 1.51 times from 2000 to 2010, and in our country in general by 1.03 times. The process of intensive growth of its population stabilised only at the beginning of the 21st century, when the annual take increased from 34.9% (2000) to 84.0% (2009).
{"title":"Distribution of the wolf (Canis lupus) in the steppe zone of Ukraine at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries and its population dynamics","authors":"A. Volokh","doi":"10.53452/tu2510","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53452/tu2510","url":null,"abstract":"The article presents data on the extirpation of the wolf in southern Ukraine in the 18th to the 20th century, which was financially supported by landowners and the state. This contributed to keeping the wolf population at a low level and then led to a reduction in its range. In the 1970s, in the steppe and forest-steppe zones, wolves permanently lived only in Moldova; in the north of Odesa Oblast; in the Pavlohrad district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast; in Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts, as well as in the north of Poltava Oblast. From here, they spread to neighbouring territories, where they were quickly extirpated. The level of wolf decline was so significant, that in 1970 only 18 wolves were recorded in the steppe zone, and 270 in the whole of Ukraine. This contributed to the dispersal of the roe deer, wild boar, and elk to the south. After the reduction in the size of wolf hunting premiums, hunting pressure on wolves also decreased. Since there is a significant positive correlation between wolf population and hunting pressure (r = 0.93), the wolf's range and population began to grow rapidly. While in 1970 it was found in 14 regions, in 1976 it was already recorded in 18, and in 1981 in 21; in 2000, the wolf occurred in all regions of mainland Ukraine, and in 2003 it entered the Crimea. The process of restoring the wolf's range was accompanied by the emergence of wolf–dog hybrids, some of which are still occurring. Despite the harvest of 616.8 ± 102.68 wolves per year in 1970–1981, the wolf population increased by 6.5 times in Ukraine, and by more than 10 times in the steppe zone. A significant increase in its numbers was facilitated by a decrease in hunting pressure due to the adoption of the USSR Law ‘On the Protection and Use of Wildlife’ in 1980, which prohibited the use of inhumane methods in hunting on wild animals. In 1982–1992, the volume of wolf culling in Ukraine reached 71.1% (45.3–81.5), and in 1993–1999 was equal to 43.1% (34.9–49.3) per year. Naturally, due to the decrease in wolf hunting, there was a sharp increase in the wolf population, which in the steppe zone increased by 1.51 times from 2000 to 2010, and in our country in general by 1.03 times. The process of intensive growth of its population stabilised only at the beginning of the 21st century, when the annual take increased from 34.9% (2000) to 84.0% (2009).","PeriodicalId":52897,"journal":{"name":"Theriologia Ukrainica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47715010","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The studies were carried out in 2021 near the village of Yushevichi, Nesvizh Raion, Minsk Oblast (Belarus). The content of pellets of three bird species were analysed: Buteo buteo, Buteo lagopus, and Corvus corax. In total, 129 intact and about 30 destructed pellets were processed. Skeletal elements of five small mammal species belonging to five genera of two orders (Rodentia and Eulipotyphla) were found, including remains of nine speckled ground squirrels. The remains of seven of the nine ground squirrel individuals found in the pellets were found in raven pellets, however, the authors believe that this fact does not yet prove a greater influence of the raven on the local ground squirrel population. The pellets analysis and observations of feeding behaviour of the three bird species prove that the speckled ground squirrel is constantly included in the diet of both diurnal birds of prey (genus Buteo) and of atypical predators with a mixed nutrition (raven). Finding of intact skulls of Spermophilus suslicus in pellets of the mentioned bird species is unlikely, which is determined by its considerable size. This circumstance does not allow obtaining most of the craniometric characters, but does not prevent the detection of pathomorphological changes. To compare the craniological characters, we used the skulls of dead ground squirrels (n = 5) found in the field near the village of Yushevichi. These individuals had visible injuries (lacerated wounds, etc.) presumably left both by predators and fights between ground squirrels. The most striking pathomorphological changes were revealed: osteoporosis and osteolysis of dental alveoli of the upper and lower jaws and initial osteomyelitis of the cranial vault (in the parietal and frontal bones). We believe that the speckled ground squirrel’s conservation status should be raised to at least Category II (according to the system of categories adopted in Belarus) for the following reasons: over the past six years, out of 12 known colonies, only four colonies have survived, two of which are practically unviable; stable for 10 years reduction in the number; and range fragmentation (single localities). According to the IUCN classification, it corresponds to category CR (critically endangered).
{"title":"Osteological material and the population state of the speckled ground squirrel (Spermophilus suslicus) on the periphery of the species’ distribution (Belarus)","authors":"A. Savarin, Sergey Shokalo","doi":"10.53452/tu2509","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53452/tu2509","url":null,"abstract":"The studies were carried out in 2021 near the village of Yushevichi, Nesvizh Raion, Minsk Oblast (Belarus). The content of pellets of three bird species were analysed: Buteo buteo, Buteo lagopus, and Corvus corax. In total, 129 intact and about 30 destructed pellets were processed. Skeletal elements of five small mammal species belonging to five genera of two orders (Rodentia and Eulipotyphla) were found, including remains of nine speckled ground squirrels. The remains of seven of the nine ground squirrel individuals found in the pellets were found in raven pellets, however, the authors believe that this fact does not yet prove a greater influence of the raven on the local ground squirrel population. The pellets analysis and observations of feeding behaviour of the three bird species prove that the speckled ground squirrel is constantly included in the diet of both diurnal birds of prey (genus Buteo) and of atypical predators with a mixed nutrition (raven). Finding of intact skulls of Spermophilus suslicus in pellets of the mentioned bird species is unlikely, which is determined by its considerable size. This circumstance does not allow obtaining most of the craniometric characters, but does not prevent the detection of pathomorphological changes. To compare the craniological characters, we used the skulls of dead ground squirrels (n = 5) found in the field near the village of Yushevichi. These individuals had visible injuries (lacerated wounds, etc.) presumably left both by predators and fights between ground squirrels. The most striking pathomorphological changes were revealed: osteoporosis and osteolysis of dental alveoli of the upper and lower jaws and initial osteomyelitis of the cranial vault (in the parietal and frontal bones). We believe that the speckled ground squirrel’s conservation status should be raised to at least Category II (according to the system of categories adopted in Belarus) for the following reasons: over the past six years, out of 12 known colonies, only four colonies have survived, two of which are practically unviable; stable for 10 years reduction in the number; and range fragmentation (single localities). According to the IUCN classification, it corresponds to category CR (critically endangered).","PeriodicalId":52897,"journal":{"name":"Theriologia Ukrainica","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41443182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In the latter less hot years after the decline in the number of elk (2019–2020), the stabilisation and increasing trend in the number of this species have been observed throughout the study area. Due to migrations, the winter elk population exceeds the summer one and amounts to 2 individuals/thousand hectares (40 individuals; against 1.3 individuals/1 thousand hectares in summer) in the Polissia Reserve, and 1–6 individuals/1 thousand hectares (940 individuals) in the Chornobyl Reserve. Data on the vulnerability of elk to climate change are presented. In hot weather at different times of the year, elks may show signs of heat stress. In summer, elk can be inactive, and in the leafless period, when chased by wolves, they can get heat stress and die. In the heat of the day, elk choose swamps, waterlogged forests with a dense tree canopy and better cooling, which are comfortable for these ungulates in the face of global warming. Climate change causes marshes to dry up and overgrow, reduces the moisture content of habitats, and worsens the fodder capacity of the land. In case of even partial restoration of lowland marshes in the Chornobyl Biosphere Reserve, the reserves of summer and winter food for elk may increase by 2–3 times. In the Polissia Reserve, in 2011–2013, lowland bogs with bush willows (Salix) were restored on fallow land near the Zholobnytsia drainage system, creating highly productive habitats for the elk, which is a promising measure for different areas of Polissia. Climate warming has led to an increase in the red deer (Cervus elaphus) population and a decrease in the elk population in the Polissia, and if no special measures are taken, these trends will intensify. Outside of protected areas, given the lack of a high legal status for wolves (Canis lupus), a strategy for conserving the elk population and reducing predation mortality in combination with other elk habitat management strategies can be recommended to hunting ground users, including limiting poaching, restoring the natural regime of forest fires in reserves, improving winter provision of branch fodder, reducing the disturbance factor, and introducing a ban on staying in the forest with dogs for berry and mushroom pickers.
{"title":"The elk (Alces alces) at the southern limit of its geographic range: population status in the Central Polissia, wolf predation, and vulnerability to climate warming","authors":"Sergiy Zhyla","doi":"10.53452/tu2514","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53452/tu2514","url":null,"abstract":"In the latter less hot years after the decline in the number of elk (2019–2020), the stabilisation and increasing trend in the number of this species have been observed throughout the study area. Due to migrations, the winter elk population exceeds the summer one and amounts to 2 individuals/thousand hectares (40 individuals; against 1.3 individuals/1 thousand hectares in summer) in the Polissia Reserve, and 1–6 individuals/1 thousand hectares (940 individuals) in the Chornobyl Reserve. Data on the vulnerability of elk to climate change are presented. In hot weather at different times of the year, elks may show signs of heat stress. In summer, elk can be inactive, and in the leafless period, when chased by wolves, they can get heat stress and die. In the heat of the day, elk choose swamps, waterlogged forests with a dense tree canopy and better cooling, which are comfortable for these ungulates in the face of global warming. Climate change causes marshes to dry up and overgrow, reduces the moisture content of habitats, and worsens the fodder capacity of the land. In case of even partial restoration of lowland marshes in the Chornobyl Biosphere Reserve, the reserves of summer and winter food for elk may increase by 2–3 times. In the Polissia Reserve, in 2011–2013, lowland bogs with bush willows (Salix) were restored on fallow land near the Zholobnytsia drainage system, creating highly productive habitats for the elk, which is a promising measure for different areas of Polissia. Climate warming has led to an increase in the red deer (Cervus elaphus) population and a decrease in the elk population in the Polissia, and if no special measures are taken, these trends will intensify. Outside of protected areas, given the lack of a high legal status for wolves (Canis lupus), a strategy for conserving the elk population and reducing predation mortality in combination with other elk habitat management strategies can be recommended to hunting ground users, including limiting poaching, restoring the natural regime of forest fires in reserves, improving winter provision of branch fodder, reducing the disturbance factor, and introducing a ban on staying in the forest with dogs for berry and mushroom pickers.","PeriodicalId":52897,"journal":{"name":"Theriologia Ukrainica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46715832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
An analysis of invasions and expansions of mammals in the Siversky Donets basin and adjacent areas is presented. Data on population and range the dynamics of habitats and the number of semi-aquatic mammals of two groups are given. The first group includes alien species that were introduced and had previously been unknown in the fauna of not only the region, but also Ukraine in general: muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), coypu (Myocastor coypus), American mink (Neogale vison), and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). The second group includes local invaders, which nowadays are expanding their range, inhabiting the river and its tributaries: Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). The maps presented show the process of animal spread in the region, indicating the places of introduction, directions of expansion, and known registrations. For local invaders, the territory of their natural habitat at the time of the start of acclimatiszation (for Castor fiber) or expansion to steppe regions (for Lutra lutra) is indicated. Population dynamics of all the species considered was analysed using data from the State Statistical Reporting, for the period from 1984 to 2021, and also monitoring data of other investigators for the pre-war period (until February 2022). The results of the statistical analysis show that populations of the the number of introduced species of mammals increases increased rapidly from the time of their appearance in the composition of the fauna, after which their numbers began to decreases. Also, a number of factors were noted that over a certain period of time exerted had an additional influence on the population dynamics of several certain alien mammal species of mammals. Data on long term dynamics of local invaders show that, along with the expansion of animals to new areas and increase in their abundance, a decrease of their numbers in areas of their historical distribution took place, such as in the case of Lutra lutra. Concerning the distribution and abundance of Castor fiber, an ambiguous situation has appeared: the state of its populations in some steppe areas is better than in the forest areas, where its number abundance is decreasing. Information on the distribution and population state of the studied species based on OSINT-analysis, author’s data and questionnaire surveys are presented. The results of introduction of the studied species are discussed.
{"title":"Alien mammal species in floodplain habitats of the Siversky Donets basin (Ukraine)","authors":"Denys Lazariev","doi":"10.53452/tu2504","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53452/tu2504","url":null,"abstract":"An analysis of invasions and expansions of mammals in the Siversky Donets basin and adjacent areas is presented. Data on population and range the dynamics of habitats and the number of semi-aquatic mammals of two groups are given. The first group includes alien species that were introduced and had previously been unknown in the fauna of not only the region, but also Ukraine in general: muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), coypu (Myocastor coypus), American mink (Neogale vison), and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). The second group includes local invaders, which nowadays are expanding their range, inhabiting the river and its tributaries: Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). The maps presented show the process of animal spread in the region, indicating the places of introduction, directions of expansion, and known registrations. For local invaders, the territory of their natural habitat at the time of the start of acclimatiszation (for Castor fiber) or expansion to steppe regions (for Lutra lutra) is indicated. Population dynamics of all the species considered was analysed using data from the State Statistical Reporting, for the period from 1984 to 2021, and also monitoring data of other investigators for the pre-war period (until February 2022). The results of the statistical analysis show that populations of the the number of introduced species of mammals increases increased rapidly from the time of their appearance in the composition of the fauna, after which their numbers began to decreases. Also, a number of factors were noted that over a certain period of time exerted had an additional influence on the population dynamics of several certain alien mammal species of mammals. Data on long term dynamics of local invaders show that, along with the expansion of animals to new areas and increase in their abundance, a decrease of their numbers in areas of their historical distribution took place, such as in the case of Lutra lutra. Concerning the distribution and abundance of Castor fiber, an ambiguous situation has appeared: the state of its populations in some steppe areas is better than in the forest areas, where its number abundance is decreasing. Information on the distribution and population state of the studied species based on OSINT-analysis, author’s data and questionnaire surveys are presented. The results of introduction of the studied species are discussed.","PeriodicalId":52897,"journal":{"name":"Theriologia Ukrainica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42276266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
V. Derkach, Halyna Herasimchuk, Volodymyr Loyko, P. Khoyetskyy
The conservation and restoration of the bison (Bison bonasus L.) is one of the fundamental issues of international importance in the Tsumanska Pushcha National Nature Park, Ukraine. The distribution of bison in the territory of the park and adjacent areas is associated with the specific requirements of the species regarding food and protective properties of the terrain. In spring, with the beginning of the growing season, the grass cover is thin and the amount of food is insufficient, so bison prefer swampy biotopes. In March–April, birch–alder and aspen–birch–alder stands provide optimal feeding conditions for the animals. Within the territory of spring distribution of bison, the biotopes they inhabit are represented by wet and fairly fertile sites (types C3 and C4,), as well as moist and fairly infertile pine site (type B3). Biotopes these animals inhabit during the spring–summer period (March–August) cover an area of about 1640 hectares, of which 350 hectares are within the national park, and the rest are part of the territory of the Muravyschensky and Sokyrychivsk forests of the Kivertsi Forestry State Enterprise. The territory of the forest districts is characterised by a mosaic structure of stands, alternating areas of broad-leaved and coniferous species, wetlands and grass glades with good feeding conditions for the animals. The animals have adapted to almost all types of forest biotopes. During the entire growing season, the trophic activity of bison is particulary high in pastures, forest clearings, and swampy meadows adjacent to woodlands. The main bison biotopes are located at a large distance from human settlements and characterised by poorly developed road network, low level of disturbance, and favourable living conditions. The current size of the bison population in the national park is 21 individuals, and the presence of calves and young animals is a sign of favourable conditions and positive population dynamics that may lead to further increase in the future. In order to minimise the impact of negative factors, relevant measures should be implemented to maintain the stability of the subpopulation, to protect the habitats of the animals, and to conduct active educational and informational activities in the park. The technologies of forest felling, harvesting of minor forestry products, and other forestry works must include elements aimed at preventing negative effects on bison.
{"title":"Habitats and diet of the European bison in the Tsumanska Pushcha National Nature Park (Ukraine)","authors":"V. Derkach, Halyna Herasimchuk, Volodymyr Loyko, P. Khoyetskyy","doi":"10.53452/tu2513","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53452/tu2513","url":null,"abstract":"The conservation and restoration of the bison (Bison bonasus L.) is one of the fundamental issues of international importance in the Tsumanska Pushcha National Nature Park, Ukraine. The distribution of bison in the territory of the park and adjacent areas is associated with the specific requirements of the species regarding food and protective properties of the terrain. In spring, with the beginning of the growing season, the grass cover is thin and the amount of food is insufficient, so bison prefer swampy biotopes. In March–April, birch–alder and aspen–birch–alder stands provide optimal feeding conditions for the animals. Within the territory of spring distribution of bison, the biotopes they inhabit are represented by wet and fairly fertile sites (types C3 and C4,), as well as moist and fairly infertile pine site (type B3). Biotopes these animals inhabit during the spring–summer period (March–August) cover an area of about 1640 hectares, of which 350 hectares are within the national park, and the rest are part of the territory of the Muravyschensky and Sokyrychivsk forests of the Kivertsi Forestry State Enterprise. The territory of the forest districts is characterised by a mosaic structure of stands, alternating areas of broad-leaved and coniferous species, wetlands and grass glades with good feeding conditions for the animals. The animals have adapted to almost all types of forest biotopes. During the entire growing season, the trophic activity of bison is particulary high in pastures, forest clearings, and swampy meadows adjacent to woodlands. The main bison biotopes are located at a large distance from human settlements and characterised by poorly developed road network, low level of disturbance, and favourable living conditions. The current size of the bison population in the national park is 21 individuals, and the presence of calves and young animals is a sign of favourable conditions and positive population dynamics that may lead to further increase in the future. In order to minimise the impact of negative factors, relevant measures should be implemented to maintain the stability of the subpopulation, to protect the habitats of the animals, and to conduct active educational and informational activities in the park. The technologies of forest felling, harvesting of minor forestry products, and other forestry works must include elements aimed at preventing negative effects on bison.","PeriodicalId":52897,"journal":{"name":"Theriologia Ukrainica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45930227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Lower Bug region is the habitat of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra¬), which, relying on channel reservoirs as reserves, also exploits the seasonal and permanent resources of small steppe rivers. With the climate-driven decrease in surface runoff, small rivers have become subject to complete or partial drying up, making it difficult for semi-aquatic mammals to live. The survival of the otter in the Southern Steppe is ensured by its use of the static and foraging potential of channel reservoirs and ponds. The latter are the key sites that serve as permanent and off-season reserves for the species, ensuring the survival and sustainable existence of otters in the small river network. The habitat specificity of the otter's sustainable habitats covers areas with different spatial and landscape characteristics, and hydrological, and foraging features, which allows us to distinguish three ecologically and ethologically distinct forms of the species. The first is the primary riverine form, represented by animals inhabiting the Southern Bug, Syniukha, and Ingul rivers, the second is the lyman-estuarine form, and the third is the river-pond form associated with small rivers. The current number of otters in the Lower Pobuzhzhia is estimated at 86–108 individuals, which is 38.5% more than in 2000–2005 and 58.1% more than in 1992–1995. The average breeding density is 0.489 individuals/10 ha of water area (excluding the coastal and marine zone). In some habitats, the local density of otters ranges from 0.181 (Berezansky estuary) to 1.14 individuals/10 ha (lower reaches of the Syniukha River, Kovalivsky plains). At the same time, the main reserves of the species generally remain unchanged—the channel-floodplain habitats of the Southern Bug, Ingul, and Ingulets, from which the animals disperse to the tributaries of these rivers and adult males migrate through local watersheds. Some small otter habitats are associated with the peaks and banks of the Tiligul and Berezan estuaries. The least studied was and remains the Ingulets centre of existence of the species, which was significantly affected by the consequences of hostilities.
{"title":"The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in the network of small steppe rivers of the Northern Black Sea region","authors":"I. Nakonechny, Yu. Nakonechna","doi":"10.53452/tu2512","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53452/tu2512","url":null,"abstract":"The Lower Bug region is the habitat of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra¬), which, relying on channel reservoirs as reserves, also exploits the seasonal and permanent resources of small steppe rivers. With the climate-driven decrease in surface runoff, small rivers have become subject to complete or partial drying up, making it difficult for semi-aquatic mammals to live. The survival of the otter in the Southern Steppe is ensured by its use of the static and foraging potential of channel reservoirs and ponds. The latter are the key sites that serve as permanent and off-season reserves for the species, ensuring the survival and sustainable existence of otters in the small river network. The habitat specificity of the otter's sustainable habitats covers areas with different spatial and landscape characteristics, and hydrological, and foraging features, which allows us to distinguish three ecologically and ethologically distinct forms of the species. The first is the primary riverine form, represented by animals inhabiting the Southern Bug, Syniukha, and Ingul rivers, the second is the lyman-estuarine form, and the third is the river-pond form associated with small rivers. The current number of otters in the Lower Pobuzhzhia is estimated at 86–108 individuals, which is 38.5% more than in 2000–2005 and 58.1% more than in 1992–1995. The average breeding density is 0.489 individuals/10 ha of water area (excluding the coastal and marine zone). In some habitats, the local density of otters ranges from 0.181 (Berezansky estuary) to 1.14 individuals/10 ha (lower reaches of the Syniukha River, Kovalivsky plains). At the same time, the main reserves of the species generally remain unchanged—the channel-floodplain habitats of the Southern Bug, Ingul, and Ingulets, from which the animals disperse to the tributaries of these rivers and adult males migrate through local watersheds. Some small otter habitats are associated with the peaks and banks of the Tiligul and Berezan estuaries. The least studied was and remains the Ingulets centre of existence of the species, which was significantly affected by the consequences of hostilities.","PeriodicalId":52897,"journal":{"name":"Theriologia Ukrainica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49009775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The article analyses feeding specifics depending on the season of five species of predatory mammals belonging to two families: Mustelidae and Canidae. It was established that the largest number of food objects in the red fox’s diet is characteristic for the winter period (44 objects). In winter, this species enriches its diet with invertebrates, fish, domestic mammals, and ungulates in small quantities. The main objects of food during this period are rodents (19%) and birds (16.6%). Rodents are also the basis of the weasel’s winter diet (50%). Both species of marten also consume rodents and birds in the winter, however, the pine marten hunts birds more often (17.4%) compared to rodents (13%), whereas the stone marten rarely hunts birds in the winter and the basis of its diet is made up by rodents (23.1%). The spring period is characterised by a sharp decrease in objects of plant origin in the diet of all carnivorous mammals considered. In spring, the stone marten consumes the largest share of animal feed (80%). The share of animals in the pine marten’s diet also increases, but this species actively hunts invertebrates (37.1%). Birds were not detected in the diet of the pine marten in spring, but they are present in the diet of the weasel in this period (5.9%). Almost half of the summer diet of all species considered consists of plant objects. All predators are characterised by the consumption of a large number of invertebrates during this period, with the lowest share of them in the diet of the stone marten (5.6%), whose main food in the summer is plants (55.6%), rodents (22.2%) and birds (16.7%). In autumn, the share of plant components in the diet of predators is more than 50%, and this period is characterised by having the highest share of juicy fruits in the diet throughout the year, except for the weasel, in the diet of which plants are rarely found during this period (21.4%). The basis of the diet of this species during this period is mammals (64.3%). The share of rodents (15.5%) and birds (8.3%) in the red fox’s diet increases in the autumn period. Inedible objects were recorded in food samples of two species: red fox and pine marten. For the marten, the largest number of these objects was registered in the summer period, and for the fox, non-food objects were absent only in the summer diet.
{"title":"Seasonal features of the diet of predatory mammals in the western regions of Ukraine","authors":"M. Martsiv, I. Dykyy","doi":"10.53452/tu2516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53452/tu2516","url":null,"abstract":"The article analyses feeding specifics depending on the season of five species of predatory mammals belonging to two families: Mustelidae and Canidae. It was established that the largest number of food objects in the red fox’s diet is characteristic for the winter period (44 objects). In winter, this species enriches its diet with invertebrates, fish, domestic mammals, and ungulates in small quantities. The main objects of food during this period are rodents (19%) and birds (16.6%). Rodents are also the basis of the weasel’s winter diet (50%). Both species of marten also consume rodents and birds in the winter, however, the pine marten hunts birds more often (17.4%) compared to rodents (13%), whereas the stone marten rarely hunts birds in the winter and the basis of its diet is made up by rodents (23.1%). The spring period is characterised by a sharp decrease in objects of plant origin in the diet of all carnivorous mammals considered. In spring, the stone marten consumes the largest share of animal feed (80%). The share of animals in the pine marten’s diet also increases, but this species actively hunts invertebrates (37.1%). Birds were not detected in the diet of the pine marten in spring, but they are present in the diet of the weasel in this period (5.9%). Almost half of the summer diet of all species considered consists of plant objects. All predators are characterised by the consumption of a large number of invertebrates during this period, with the lowest share of them in the diet of the stone marten (5.6%), whose main food in the summer is plants (55.6%), rodents (22.2%) and birds (16.7%). In autumn, the share of plant components in the diet of predators is more than 50%, and this period is characterised by having the highest share of juicy fruits in the diet throughout the year, except for the weasel, in the diet of which plants are rarely found during this period (21.4%). The basis of the diet of this species during this period is mammals (64.3%). The share of rodents (15.5%) and birds (8.3%) in the red fox’s diet increases in the autumn period. Inedible objects were recorded in food samples of two species: red fox and pine marten. For the marten, the largest number of these objects was registered in the summer period, and for the fox, non-food objects were absent only in the summer diet.","PeriodicalId":52897,"journal":{"name":"Theriologia Ukrainica","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71029899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The article presents data on the biology of Ellobius talpinus kept in captivity. The creation of semi-underground conditions in terrarium and long-term observations of a group of vole moles during 2003–2014 are described. The course of the life cycle of these animals in the terrarium is presented: daily and seasonal activity, burrowing activity, diet and food preferences, and reproduction. It has been revealed that in captivity mole voles change their daily activity on the surface from crepuscular to diel, which is associated with the absence of disturbance factors or sudden changes in temperature and light. Seasonal activity in captivity is not pronounced, represented by two cases of reproduction that occurred in the summer months. The burrowing activity is extremely high; mole voles burrow or clean the passages daily and often with every activity, without any particular need, demonstrating a stereotypical form of behaviour. Social behaviour, specifics of communication between individuals, and vocalisation are described. It has been noted that the vole moles are characterised by high communication activity, both tactile when adults contact each other and when exploring the environment. Cases of special high-frequency vocalisation such as ‘grinding’ directed not towards another individual, but to the corners of the terrarium, where the mole voles were searching for the possibility of making passages, were repeatedly observed and recorded on video. The following aspects of behaviour were also analysed: reaction to the observer, new conditions, disturbances, and features of group behaviour, including aggression, joint rest, and feeding. Mole voles consumed food both where it was placed and in their chambers, but most often in the chambers there were attempts to create stocks. They preferred roots and bulbs of cultivated plants. The experience of forming reproducing pairs was gained, which allowed us to study the course of pregnancy and the development and growth of the newborn and young. The appearance and condition of the newborn are described along with the presence of teeth, the time when the eyes open, the process of feeding and weaning, growth and weight gain, the ability to move and burrow, and features of parental care. The experience gained demonstrates both the possibility of introduction of the species and the formation of reserve groups to restore lost natural populations.
{"title":"Conservation of rodents ex situ: experience of keeping the northern mole vole (Ellobius talpinus) in captivity","authors":"M. Korobchenko","doi":"10.53452/tu2515","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53452/tu2515","url":null,"abstract":"The article presents data on the biology of Ellobius talpinus kept in captivity. The creation of semi-underground conditions in terrarium and long-term observations of a group of vole moles during 2003–2014 are described. The course of the life cycle of these animals in the terrarium is presented: daily and seasonal activity, burrowing activity, diet and food preferences, and reproduction. It has been revealed that in captivity mole voles change their daily activity on the surface from crepuscular to diel, which is associated with the absence of disturbance factors or sudden changes in temperature and light. Seasonal activity in captivity is not pronounced, represented by two cases of reproduction that occurred in the summer months. The burrowing activity is extremely high; mole voles burrow or clean the passages daily and often with every activity, without any particular need, demonstrating a stereotypical form of behaviour. Social behaviour, specifics of communication between individuals, and vocalisation are described. It has been noted that the vole moles are characterised by high communication activity, both tactile when adults contact each other and when exploring the environment. Cases of special high-frequency vocalisation such as ‘grinding’ directed not towards another individual, but to the corners of the terrarium, where the mole voles were searching for the possibility of making passages, were repeatedly observed and recorded on video. The following aspects of behaviour were also analysed: reaction to the observer, new conditions, disturbances, and features of group behaviour, including aggression, joint rest, and feeding. Mole voles consumed food both where it was placed and in their chambers, but most often in the chambers there were attempts to create stocks. They preferred roots and bulbs of cultivated plants. The experience of forming reproducing pairs was gained, which allowed us to study the course of pregnancy and the development and growth of the newborn and young. The appearance and condition of the newborn are described along with the presence of teeth, the time when the eyes open, the process of feeding and weaning, growth and weight gain, the ability to move and burrow, and features of parental care. The experience gained demonstrates both the possibility of introduction of the species and the formation of reserve groups to restore lost natural populations.","PeriodicalId":52897,"journal":{"name":"Theriologia Ukrainica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48113328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
At the time of the creation of the Mykhailivska Tsilyna Nature Reserve (1928), it was a completely forestless steppe area with an area of 202.2 hectares. Presumably, 17 mammal species from 11 families and 5 orders were distributed in its territory, and 1 species (steppe marmot) had already disappeared. Of them, 8 species belonged to the steppe faunal core, 3 species were confined to floodplain meadows, and 6 species were widespread. Fifteen species occurred permanently and two species were recorded with a varying frequency. In the early 1950s, substantial changes took place in and around the nature reserve. A ditch was dug around the perimeter of the reserve and a forest belt was planted. Two much bigger and deeper ponds were created on the site of a small pond. A house and a brick stable were built on the steppe area, and apple trees and an alley of ornamental shrubs were planted. After the reserve was granted republican status in 1947, its environmental protection regime changed, and this had a notable impact on the vegetation. After grazing and mowing were banned, a thick layer of dead plant remains on the ground surface, reaching 5–10 cm in thickness, appeared in most of the reserve’s territory. At that time, an absolute protected regime was established on an area of about 100 hectares. The rest of the area was periodically mowed. In the early 1980s, the ponds were heavily overgrown with aquatic and wetland vegetation, and the banks were overgrown with trees and bushes. Fish were introduced into the ponds. The woody vegetation in the forest belt also grew substantially and became dense. Since 1998, the nature protection regime in the reserve has changed: the ‘periodically mowed steppe’ was mown annually for four years, and there was a break in the fifth year. All this affected the fauna and mammal population of the reserve. In 2009, the area of the reserve was increased to 880 hectares. As a result, a pond (300 x 33 m) appeared in its territory, located near the village of Stepove. A small pond (70 x 12 m) was formed in a ravine in the northern part of the reserve because of the activity of beavers. As of 2023, 24 mammal species from 16 families and 5 orders were recorded here. Of them, 4 species belong to steppe species, 2 to hydrophilic species, 5 to forest species, 12 species are widespread, and there is 1 synanthropic species. Eighteen species occur permanently in the reserve, five species visit the reserve regularly, and one synanthropic species settles in during the warm period of the year.
在Mykhailivska Tsilyna自然保护区(1928年)建立的时候，它是一个完全没有森林的草原地区，面积为202.2公顷。据推测，该地区分布着5目11科17种哺乳动物，其中1种(草原土拨鼠)已经消失。其中8种属于草原区系核心，3种局限于洪泛区草甸，6种广泛分布。15种永久发生，2种记录频率不同。20世纪50年代初，自然保护区内外发生了重大变化。在保护区周围挖了一条沟，种了一条林带。两个更大更深的池塘是在一个小池塘的基础上建造的。在草原地区建了一所房子和一个砖砌的马厩，种了苹果树和一条观赏灌木的小巷。1947年保护区获得共和国地位后，其环境保护制度发生了变化，这对植被产生了显著影响。禁止放牧和割草后，保护区大部分地区地表出现了一层厚达5-10厘米的死植物残骸。当时，在大约100公顷的土地上建立了绝对保护制度。其余的地方定期修剪。在20世纪80年代初，池塘被水生和湿地植被覆盖，河岸被树木和灌木覆盖。鱼被引入池塘。林带木本植被也大量生长，变得茂密。自1998年以来，保护区的自然保护制度发生了变化:“定期修剪草原”连续四年每年修剪一次，第五年中断。所有这些都影响了保护区的动物和哺乳动物数量。2009年，保护区面积扩大到880公顷。因此，一个300 x 33米的池塘出现在它的领土上，位于Stepove村附近。由于海狸的活动，在保护区北部的峡谷中形成了一个小池塘(70 x 12米)。截至2023年，这里已记录到5目16科24种哺乳动物。其中草原种4种，亲水性种2种，森林种5种，广布种12种，共生种1种。18种永久栖息在保护区，5种定期到访，还有一种在一年中温暖的时期定居。
{"title":"The mammal fauna of the Mykhailivska Tsilyna Nature Reserve: assessment of diversity and factors of its support","authors":"Igor Merzlikin","doi":"10.53452/tu2505","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53452/tu2505","url":null,"abstract":"At the time of the creation of the Mykhailivska Tsilyna Nature Reserve (1928), it was a completely forestless steppe area with an area of 202.2 hectares. Presumably, 17 mammal species from 11 families and 5 orders were distributed in its territory, and 1 species (steppe marmot) had already disappeared. Of them, 8 species belonged to the steppe faunal core, 3 species were confined to floodplain meadows, and 6 species were widespread. Fifteen species occurred permanently and two species were recorded with a varying frequency. In the early 1950s, substantial changes took place in and around the nature reserve. A ditch was dug around the perimeter of the reserve and a forest belt was planted. Two much bigger and deeper ponds were created on the site of a small pond. A house and a brick stable were built on the steppe area, and apple trees and an alley of ornamental shrubs were planted. After the reserve was granted republican status in 1947, its environmental protection regime changed, and this had a notable impact on the vegetation. After grazing and mowing were banned, a thick layer of dead plant remains on the ground surface, reaching 5–10 cm in thickness, appeared in most of the reserve’s territory. At that time, an absolute protected regime was established on an area of about 100 hectares. The rest of the area was periodically mowed. In the early 1980s, the ponds were heavily overgrown with aquatic and wetland vegetation, and the banks were overgrown with trees and bushes. Fish were introduced into the ponds. The woody vegetation in the forest belt also grew substantially and became dense. Since 1998, the nature protection regime in the reserve has changed: the ‘periodically mowed steppe’ was mown annually for four years, and there was a break in the fifth year. All this affected the fauna and mammal population of the reserve. In 2009, the area of the reserve was increased to 880 hectares. As a result, a pond (300 x 33 m) appeared in its territory, located near the village of Stepove. A small pond (70 x 12 m) was formed in a ravine in the northern part of the reserve because of the activity of beavers. As of 2023, 24 mammal species from 16 families and 5 orders were recorded here. Of them, 4 species belong to steppe species, 2 to hydrophilic species, 5 to forest species, 12 species are widespread, and there is 1 synanthropic species. Eighteen species occur permanently in the reserve, five species visit the reserve regularly, and one synanthropic species settles in during the warm period of the year.","PeriodicalId":52897,"journal":{"name":"Theriologia Ukrainica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45596851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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