Muroid rodent (Muroidea) communities in the Kremenets Mountains National Nature Park

Abstract

The analysis of Muroidea communities in the Kremenets Mountains National Nature Park was provided. The research results conducted in 6 types of habitats of the park during 2012–2015 were processed. It was established that there are 9 species of the superfamily Muroidea in the Kremenets Mountains National Nature Park, among which the most common are Myodes glareolus, Sylvaemus tauricus, and Microtus arvalis. The hornbeam-oak forests, logs and meadows have the highest parameters of species and taxonomic richness of muroids. A direct proportional relationship between the distribution of the species in the region and the overall level of its population was indicated. The widely spread species have the highest population abundance belonging to eurytopic and forest assemblages. The high degree of species diversity in these habitats is due to the high availability and supply of environmental conditions for these rodents. The species diversity in the park’s territory is provided by a high variety of habitats and trophic resources.

Keywords

• Muroidea
• species diversity
• Kremenets Mountains
• structure of the communities