Results of a 30-years-long investigation of small mammals in Crimea. Part 2. Ecology of species

• Main Author: I. L. Evstafiev
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. National Museum of Natural History 2016-12-01
• Series: Праці Теріологічної школи
• Subjects: fauna; small mammals; rodents; shrews; ecology; Crimea
• Online Access: http://www.terioshkola.org.ua/library/pts14/pts14-41-evstafiev-micromam2.pdf

The present paper deals with the final results of a 30-year-long research covering ecology and biology of the small mammal fauna in the Crimean Peninsula. The paper includes the historical overview of investigations within the region, population analysis (species abundance, absolute animal trapping data) of Micromammalia faunal assemblages, and their biotopical distribution in the peninsula (in the steppe, piedmont, and mountainous areas). Species that form the core of micromammal assemblages in different habitats of the steppe, piedmont and forest areas are identified. The article also studies small mammals (house mice, rats, hamsters, etc.) constantly inhabiting settlements of the peninsula, namely their seasonal population dynamics and the relationships between mice and rats. Special attention is given to notes on taxonomy, ecology and biology of some of the rarest and least studied species of the Crimean small mammal fauna, such as the lesser shrew (Sorex minutus), water shrew (Neomys anomalus), southern birch mouse (Sicista loriger), northern mole vole (Ellobius talpinus), small gopher (Spermophilus pygmaeus) and great jerboa (Allactaga major).