Theriologia Ukrainica (Dec 2019)
Small mammals of Slobozhanskyi National Nature Park and its vicinities (Ukraine)
Abstract
Slobozhanskyi National Nature Park (Krasnokutsk District, Kharkiv Region, Ukraine) is represented by forest ecosystems and areas of forest marshes and swamp alders. Slobozhanskyi National Nature Park is adjacent to the floodplains of the Merla and Merchik rivers (Dnipro river basin). Studies of small mammals were conducted in 2004, 2008, 2011 and 2013–2018 in different biotopes. The data were collected using different types of traps, observation of animals in nature, fixation the traces of their vital activity, analysis of owl pellets, and surveys of the park’s staff and locals. Currently, 19 species of small mammals were identified for Slobozhanskyi National Nature Park and its surroundings, including 5 insectivorous and 14 rodent species. The number of species recorded in the study area is less than that for Kharkiv region (25 species) and for the two other national nature parks located in Kharkiv region (22 species in Dvorichanskyi NNP, 23 species in Gomilshanski lisy NNP). In total, 12 species of small mammals were caught by traps (4 insectivorous and 8 rodent species). Forest and eurytopic species such as Talpa europaea, Sorex araneus, Sorex minutus, Myodes glareolus, Sylvaemus sylvaticus / uralensis, Sylvaemus tauricus are the most widespread and abundant in Slobozhanskyi National Nature Park and its surrounding territories. Myodes glareolus is dominant in almost all biotopes except for floodplains. The typical meadow and steppe species Cricetulus migratorius and Alexandromys oeconomus are rare in Slobozhanskyi National Nature Park. Cricetulus migratorius is known only by bone remains from pellets of the tawny owl. Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus occur near human settlements in the study area. The highest species richness of small mammals (11 species) is found in the floodplain. This can be explained by the specific conditions of the drained floodplain with trees and shrubs along reclamation channels. According to the research, the smallest number of species (3–4 species) was recorded in young pine plantations.
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