Selyunina,
Z. V., M. I. Nitochko. 2021. The social vole Microtus
socialis (Сricetidae, Rodentia) in the westernmost
part of its geographic range. Theriologia Ukrainica,
22: 144–150.
title |
The social
vole Microtus socialis (Сricetidae, Rodentia)
in the westernmost part of its geographic range |
author(s) |
Zoya V. Selyunina (orcid: 0000-0003-3037-0742)
Maria I. Nitochko (orcid: 0000-0002-4666-5687) |
affiliation |
Black Sea Biosphere
Reserve, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
(Hola Prystan, Ukraine) |
bibliography |
Theriologia Ukrainica.
2021. Vol. 22: 144–150. |
DOI |
http://doi.org/10.15407/TU2215 |
|
|
language |
English, with Ukrainian summary,
titles of tables, captures to figs |
abstract |
According
to the literature, there are several isolated range
segments of Microtus socialis across the Palearctic,
within which the distribution of the species has
mosaic pattern. The westernmost range segment is
located in the south of Ukraine covering steppe
areas of the Crimea and southern Ukraine and stretching
from the lower reaches of the Dnipro to Melitopol
in the east and to Dnipro in the north. The social
vole is represented in this centre of distribution
by the subspecies Microtus socialis nikolajevi.
The Yahorlyk Kut Peninsula in Kherson Oblast represents
the westernmost edge of the subspecies’ range, where
local conditions have practically remained in their
natural state and the social vole (Microtus socialis)
has a substantial population density. The Yahorlyk
Kut Peninsula separates Yahorlyk Bay of the Black
Sea from Tendra Bay. The western part of the peninsula
(5540 ha) constitutes the ‘Yahorlyk Kut’ protected
area of the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve, where steppe
habitats have been partially preserved in their
natural state in contrast to the area of the former
bombing range, which was attached to the reserve
in 1998, where the steppe has slightly transformed.
This is the only area of typical halophytic wormwood–grass
steppe that has avoided continuous ploughing and
irrigation. The population density of M. socialis
depends on the microrelief, hydrological conditions,
and natural spring flooding. The disturbance of
vegetation and soil cover due to fires and grazing
disrupt the natural population dynamics of social
voles. Recovery takes 2 to 3 years. After the cessation
of the impact of hydrological, pyrogenic, or pascual
factors, population density of the social vole in
different habitats becomes balanced. Over 30 years,
the population density of Microtus socialis ranged
from 200 to 7000 ind./ha (on average 1800 ind./ha).
The amplitude of fluctuations in the value of relative
abundance in the periods between peaks is about
15 units. The cyclicity in population dynamics of
the social vole in the Yahorlyk Kut Peninsula is
6–8 years. The dynamics of the number of social
voles is determined by abiotic and biotic factors,
which are also cyclical. Disturbances in the cyclicity
of population dynamics can occur due to ‘force majeure’
situations of both natural and anthropogenic nature.
|
keywords |
population density,
social vole, Black Sea seaboard steppes, population
dynamics, cyclicity. |
|
|
references |
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