title

A review of theriological research in the Polissia in the XIX–XXI centuries

author(s)

Inessa Bolotina (orcid: 0000-0002-4988-2134)
Alexandr Savarin (orcid: 0000-0001-9663-6115)

affiliation

"Green" Network Partnership (Turov, Belarus),
Gomel F. Skorina State University (Gomel, Belarus)

bibliography

Theriologia Ukrainica. 2022. Vol. 24: 3–15.

DOI

language

English, with Ukrainian summary, titles of tables, captures to figs

abstract

The history of theriological research in the territory of Polissia from the 19th century to the present is considered (authors, works, and contributions to the study of the mammal fauna of the region). A review of the most significant publications on the theriofauna of the Polissia region is presented. The material is considered in chronological order, in four sections: ‘The period before systematic collectings’ (from the 19th century to 1920), ‘The period of field expeditionary research’ (1920–1940), ‘The resumption of theriological research at a new level’ (1945–1970), ‘Period of detailed stationary studies’ (1971–2000), ‘Modern stage of research’ (from 2001 to the present). A list of the most famous researchers of Polissia is given in accordance with the proposed periodization. The authors conclude that the number of studies and publications for the analysed period is connected, first, with state projects for the economic development of this territory (the construction of the Brest–Moscow railway at the end of the 19th century, large-scale land reclamation of Polissia throughout almost the entire 20th century). The key role of A. V. Fedyushin and I. N. Serzhanin for the development of theriological research is noted. The role of nature reserves created in the Chernobyl territory in the study of the mammal fauna of this region is discussed. The complete list of Polissia mammals including 80 species is given. It is concluded that the Polissia theriofauna has not been fully studied (insectivores, bats, and rodents). The theriological studies in the regions of Polissia were carried out unevenly: from single visits and local expeditions to stationary and long-term monitoring studies. The insufficient level of theriological monitoring and, as a result, the lack of proper analysis of changes in mammal assemblages are indicated. The existing scientific collections, where specimens of mammals from Polissia are stored, are not catalogued into a single database and are difficult to study. In Belarus, theriologists are divided and do not have a common platform for the exchange of information and experience. The positive experience of Ukrainian colleagues in the creation and maintenance of the long-term activity of the Theriological School is presented.

keywords

theriological research, theriologists, mammal fauna, Polissia.

references

Animal... 1995. Animal world in the Chernobyl accident zone. Ed. L. M. Sushcheni et al. Navuka i tekhnika, Minsk, 1–263. [In Russian]
Arzamasov, I. T., M. S. Dolbik, E. M. Khotko, T. M. Shevtsova. 1980. Influence of land melioration on the fauna of the Belarusian Polesie. Navuka i tekhnika, Minsk, 1–174. [In Russian]
Bashta, A.-T. V. 2004. Bats (Chiroptera) of Western Polissia. Nature of Western Polissya and adjacent territories. Lutsk, Vezha, 184–191. [In Russian]
Bashta, A.-T. V. 2007. Chiroptera fauna of the Shatsky Lake District. Scientific Bulletin of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, 11: 207–211. [In Ukrainian]
Bobrinskiy, N., B. Kuznetzov, A. Kuzyakin. 1944. Mammals of USSR. Sovietskaya Nauka, Moscow, 1–440. [In Russian]
Demyanchik, V. T., M. G. Demyanchik. 2000. Bats of Belarus: a reference guide. Izdatelstvo S. Lavrova, Brest, 1–216. [In Russian]
Demyanchik V. V., M. E. Nikiforov. 2018. Change of the synanthropic complex of land vertebrate animals of the southwest of Belarus for the centenary period. Viesci Nacyjanalnaj Akademii Navuk Belarysi. Sieryja bijalahicnaja, 63 (3): 286–297. [In Russian] https://doi.org/10.29235/1029-8940-2018-63-3-286-297
Dombrovski, V. Ch., A. V. Kusnezh, V. V. Demyanchik, A. P. Kashtalyan. 2012. Chiropterofauna of the "Pripyatski" National park. Problems of Preservation of Biological Diversity and Use of Biological Resources: Materials of II Intern. Sc. Conf. (Minsk, 22–26 Oct. 2012). Minsk, 90–93. [In Russian]
Dombrovsky, V. Ch., V. A. Fenchuk, M. Dietz. 2017. A unique colony of Nyctalus lasiopterus in Pripyat Polissya (South Belarus). Actual problems of zoological science in Belarus: Handbook of articles XI Zool. conf., Vol. 1. Belarus, Minsk, 113–118. [In Russian]
Dubrovsky, V. Yu. 2000. New findings of Sorex isodon (Insectivora, Soricidae) from the European part of Russia. Zoologicheskii zhurnal, 79 (11): 1367–1368. [In Russian]
Fedyushin, A. V. 1928. Report of the research faunistic on the Pripyat river and the Kniazj lake in the summer of 1926. In: Materials for the Study of Flora and Fauna of Belarus. Vol. 2: 103–117. [In Belarusian]
Fedyushin, A. V. 1929. Dynamics and geographical distribution of the hunting fauna of the BSSR. Palyaunichi Belarusi", Minsk, 1–80. [In Russian]
Fedyushin, A. V. 1935. Castor fiber. His history, life and breeding experiments. RIO Glavpushnina NKVT, Moscow, 1–359. [In Russian]
Frantsevich, L. I., V. I. Kryzhanovsky, V. A. Gaichenko. 1991. Animals in the radioactive zone. Naukova Dumka, Kyiv, 1–176. [In Russian]
Gatih, V. S. 1976. Mammals of the Pripyat Reserve. The Pripyat Reserve: Research, Issue 1. Uradzhay, Minsk, 132–141. [In Russian]
Gatikh, V. S. 1982. The dynamics of the number of Alces alces in the Belarusian Polesie and its determining factors. Nature reserves of Belarus. Researches. Issue 6. Urozhay, Moscow, 80–86. [In Russian]
Gaschak, S., A. Vlashchenko, A. Naglov. 2009. Results of the study of fauna and radioactive contamination of bats of the Chernobyl exclusion Zone in 2007–2009. Problems of the Chernobyl exclusion Zone, 9: 102–124. [In Russian]
Gaschak, S. P., D. O. Vishnevsky, O. O. Zalissky. 2006. Fauna of Vertebrates of Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (Ukraine). ChCNSRWR, Slavutych, 1–100. [In Ukrainian]
Gaschak, S., S. R. Hoofer, Ju. Makluk, H. Meeks, J. Wickliffe, R. Baker. 2008. About species diversity of mice genus Sylvaemus in Ukraine. Proceedings of the Theriological School, 9: 80–92. [In Russian]
Gashchak, S., Y. Gulyaichenko, N. A. Beresford, M. D. Wood. 2017. European bison (Bison bonasus) in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (Ukraine) and prospects for its revival. Proceedings of the Theriological School, 15: 58–66. [In Ukrainian] https://doi.org/10.15407/ptt2017.15.058
Gashchak, S., S. Paskevich. 2019. Przewalski`s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii) in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone after 20 years of introduction. Theriologia Ukrainica, 18: 80–100. [In Ukrainian] https://doi.org/10.15407/pts2019.18.080
Golodushko, B. Z. 1975. The state of reserves and prospects for the use of Castor fiber in Belarus. Proceedings of the Voronezh State Nature Reserve, 1 (2): 46–53. [In Russian]
Grichik, V. V., V. V. Prakapchuk, A. E. Grebenchuk, A. A. Rabtsava, I. S. Tsybovsky. 2018. Golden jackal (Canis aureus L., 1758) — a new species in the theriofauna of Belarus. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Biology, 3: 55–61. [In Russian]
Gromov I. M., A. A. Gureev, G. A. Novikov, I. I. Sokolov, P. P. Strelkov, K. K. Chapskij. 1963. Mammals in the Fauna of the USSR, Vols 1&2. Academia Nauk SSSR. Moskwa, 1–639 + 640–2001. [In Russian]
Hutterer, R., B. Krystufek. 2020. A History of mammal research in Europe. In: Hacklander, K. & F. Zachos (eds). Handbook of the Mammals of Europe. Springer Nature, 1–22. [In Russian] https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65038-8_5-1
Kessler, K. F. 1851. Animals are mammals. Proceedings of the Commission... for the description of the province of Kiev educational district — Kyiv, Volyn, Podolsk, Poltava, Chernihiv. Kyiv, 1-88. (Series: Natural History of the provinces of the Kyiv Educational District. Volume 1: Zoology. Part systematic). [In Russian]
Kirikov, S. V. 1929. Report on a trip to Mozyr Polesie to collect fauna materials on the site: Pripyat (from the north) — state border (from the west) — Volyn (from the south) — Vubart (from the east). Materials for the study of flora and fauna of Belarus, 4: 59–79. [In Russian]
Korneev, O. P. 1965. Key to the Mammals of the Ukrainian RSR. So Radianska shkola, Kyiv, 1–236. [In Russian]
Kozlo, P. G., L. G. Emelyanova, S. V. Kuchmel, O. A. Pareiko. 1998. Ecological characteristics of the wild boar population living in the Polesie radiological reserve. 10 years of the Polesie State Radiation-Ecological Reserve. Compiled by: T. M. Odintsova, K. M. Kireenko. Izd-vo N. B. Kireev, Minsk, 130–135. [In Russian]
Kryzhanivskij, V. I. 1999. Non-scientific" argumentation for Przewalski Horse introduction into Exclusion Zone and the Zone of Absolute Resettlement of Chornobyl NP. Vestnik zoologii. Supplement 11: 116–118. [In Ukrainian]
Kurskov, A. M. 1961. Materials for the ecology of bats of Belarus. Vesti AN BSSR, Ser. biol. nauk, 2: 99–105. [In Belarusian]
Khimin, M. V., M. L. Klestov, A.-T. V. Bashta, Z. L. Berest, I. G. Plyushch. 2010. Pripyat-Stokhod National Nature Park. Animal world: monograph. Phytosociocenter, Kyiv, 1–170. [In Ukrainian]
Kheidorova, E., H. Gajduchenko, I. Kryshchuk. 2016. Particularities of common shrew (Sorex araneus) genetic diversity on the territory of Belarus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Biological series, 61 (3): 52–56. [In Russian]
Mashkou, Ya. I., H. S. Gaiduchenko. 2021. Cryptic species of the genus Microtus on the territory of Belarus: taxonomic position and distribution. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Biological series, 66 (4): 475–481. [In Russian] https://doi.org/10.29235/1029-8940-2021-66-4-475-481
Melander, V. A. 1930. Material for the study of the mammalian fauna of the southeastern part of the BSSR. Smolensk State University. Nauchnye Izvestia, 6 (1): 1–30. [In Russian]
Mishta, A. 2022. Mammals of Ukrainian Polissia region. Version 1.4. I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology. Occurrence dataset accessed via GBIF.org on 2022-12-22. https://doi.org/10.15468/m4x2wj
Novikov, K. L. 1929. Notes on mammals of the Chechersk region of the Gomel district B.S.S.R. Izvestiya Gorsky ped. institute (Vladikavkaz), 6: 229–238. [In Russian]
Nikolsky, A. M. 1899. Animals of Polesie. Appendices to the essay of the works of the Western Expedition on drainage of the marshes 1873–1898. Ministry of Agriculture and State Property. St. Petersburg, 217–284. [In Russian]
Savarin, A. A., A. N. Molosh. 2017. About finding the Mediterranean Water Shrew (Neomys anomalus Cabrera, 1907) on the territory of waste water treatment plant in Bereza town (Brest Region)]. Visnik Odeskogo Natsionalnogo Universitetu. Biologiya, 1 (40): 71–77. [In Russian] https://doi.org/10.18524/2077-1746.2017.1 (40).105177
Savarin, A. А. 2006. About the record of Crocidura suaveolens Pallas, 1811 in Gomel city. Proceedings of the Theriological School, 8: 133–135. [In Russian]
Savarin, A. A. 2015. Pathology of the skull of the Erinaceus concolor roumanicus, living on the territory of Belarus. BelGUT, Gomel, 1–190. [In Russian]
Savitsky, B. P., S. V. Kuchmel, L. D. Burko. 2005. Mammals of Belarus. BGU, Minsk, 1–319. [In Russian]
Sagaidak, A. 2012. Carnivora of the regional landscape park "Mezhdurechenskiy". Theriofauna of protected areas and mammal protection. Compiled by I. Zagorodniuk and Z. Selyunina. Hola Prystan', Ukrainian Theriological Society, 2012. 61. (Series: Novitates Theriologicae. Pars 8) [In Ukrainian]
Serzhanin, I. N., O. N. Mikholap. 1958. Features of the distribution of Rodents (Muridae) in various stations of the Belarusian Polesie. The first Zoological Conference. Minsk, 24–241. [In Russian]
Serzhanin, I. N. 1961. Mammals of Belorus . Izd-vo Akademii nauk Belorusskoy SSR. Minsk, 1–317. [In Russian]
Sidorovich, V. E. 1997. Mustelidae in Belarus. Evolutionary biology, demography and biocenotic relationships. Zolotoi ulei, Minsk, 1–263. [In Russian]
Shcherbyna, M. 1924. Notes about some of Volyn's animals. Nature and hunting in Ukraine, No. 1–2: 142–152. [In Russian]
Shkvyrya, M. 2005. Monitoring researches of large carnivore mammals in Ukrainian Polissia. Scientific Bulletin of Uzhhorod University. Series Biology, 17: 100–104. [In Russian]
Shpilevsky, P. 1853–1855. Traveling in Polesie and the Belorussian Territory. Sovremennik, 1853, 39 (dep. 2, book 6): 75–78; 1853, 40 (dept. 2, book 7): 1–26; 1853, 40 (dep. 2, book 8): 39–110; 1854, 41 (dep. 2): 1–64; 1854, 41 (dep. 2, book 11): 30–42; 1855, 42 (dept. 2): 1–62. [In Russian]
Stanchinsky, V. V. 1926. Expedition to study the fauna of the Western region in the summer of 1925. Economic life, N 4-5 (Jan-Feb). Smolensk, 81–95. [In Russian].
Stamm, A. R. 1923. Materials for cognition of animals and birds of Polesie. National economy of Belarus. No. 4: 85–95. [In Russian]
Tatarinov, K. A. 1960. Information about the teriofauna of Volyn Polesie. Scientific notes of the Kremenets State Pedagogical Institute: A series of natural sciences. Ternopil, Kremenets, 5: 157–183. [In Ukrainian]
Tyshchenko, V., A. Sagaidak. 2012. To the bat fauna of RLP "Mizhrichynsky" Theriofauna of protected areas and mammalian protection. Compiled by I. Zagorodniuk and Z. Selyunina. Hola Prystan’, Ukrainian Theriological Society, 62. (Series: Novitates Theriologicae. Pars 8). [In Ukrainian] pdf: https://bit.ly/3iTPNr1
Tolkachev, V. I., V.I . Sautin. 1988. Beavers in the Belarusian Polesie. Universitetskoe, Minsk, 1–88. [In Russian]
Uglyanets, A. V. 2012. Reintroduction of European bison in the Pripyat Polesye: monograph. Ed. P. G. Kozlo. BSPU, Minsk, 1–240. [In Russian]
Voeikov, A. I. 1893. Pinsk Polesie and the results of its drainage. Izvestia Russian Geogr. Ob-va, 29 [reprint: Voeikov, A. I. 1963. Pinsk Polesie and work on its drainage. Izdatelskiy dom Academii Nauk SSSR, Moscow, 1–174. [In Russian]
Voinstvensky, M. A., V. I. Kryzhanovsky, I. S. Legeida. 1981. Changes in the fauna of the Ukrainian Polesie in connection with drainage works. Vestnik zoologii, No. 5: 3–9. [In Russian]
Voronetsky, N. N., V. E. Tyshkevich. 1998. Ungulates (bison, wild boar, roe deer, red deer, elk) and carnivores (wolf, lynx, fox) of the Polesie GRES. 10 years of the Polesie State Radiation-Ecological Reserve. Compiled by: T. M.Odintsova & K. M. Kireenko. Izdatel’siy dom N. B. Kireeva, Minsk, 151–159. [In Russian]
Zagorodniuk, I. V., S. V. Teslenko. 1986. Sibling-species of the Microtus arvalis superspecies in the Ukraine. Communication I. Occurrence of Microtus subarvalis. Vestnik zoologii, No. 3: 34–40. [In Russian]
Zagorodniuk, I. V. 1993. Identification of East European forms of Sylvaemus sylvaticus (Rodentia) and their geographic occurrence. Vestnik zoologii, 27 (6): 37–47. [In Russian]
Zagorodniuk, I. V. 1999. Checklist of theriofauna of Ukraine. Mammals of Ukraine under the protection of the Berne Convention. Kyiv, 202–210. (Series: Proceedings of the Theriological School; Vol. 2). [In Ukrainian]
Zagorodniuk, I. V. 2002. Mammals. Nature of the Prydniprovske Polissia. Ed. G. A. Karpova. INECO, Kyiv, 139–158.] [In Ukrainian]
Zagorodniuk, I. 2003. Wild mammal fauna of the Kyiv city and its vicinities, and trends in its urbanization. Vestnik zoologii, 37 (6): 29–38. [In Ukrainian]
Zagorodniuk, I. 2014. Changes in Taxonomic Diversity of Ukrainian Mammals for the Last Three Centuries: Extinct, Phantom, and Alien Species. Proceedings of the Theriological School, 12: 3–16. [In Ukrainian] https://doi.org/10.15407/ptt2014.12.003
Zagorodniuk, I. 2022a. Fifty years of the Theriological Society in Ukraine: key milestones. Theriologia Ukrainica, 23: 136–156. [In Ukrainian] https://doi.org/10.15407/TU2313
Zagorodniuk, I. 2022b. The Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) in south of Eastern Europe: distribution boundaries and its changes. Theriologia Ukrainica, 23: 66–77. [In Ukrainian] https://doi.org/10.15407/TU2308
Zelensky, I. 1864. Materials for geography and statistics of Russia. Minsk Province. Part 1. SPb., 1–672. [In Russian]
Zenina, I. M. 1995. Mammals. Vertebrates of the Pripyat Reserve. Uradzhai, Minsk, 132–141. [In Russian]
Zenina, I. M. 1998. Bats of nature reserved territories of the Central Polesje. In: Zagorodniuk, I. (ed.). European Bat Night '98 in Ukraine. Kyiv, 90–95. (Series: Proceedings of the Theriological School; Vol. 1). [In Russian]
Zenina, I. M. 1999. Small mammals of the Polesie nature reserve. Polissya Nature Reserve is 30 years old. Collection of scientific works, issue 1. Zhytomyr, 74–78. [In Russian]
Zhyla, S. M. 1999. The current state of the wolf population in Ukrainian Polissya. Vestnik zoologii, No. 4-5: 115–117. [In Russian]
Zhyla, S. M. 2009. Wolf in the Polissian Nature Reserve and its surroundings: monitoring, spatial structure, ecology, management. Polissian Nature Reserve. Selezivka, 1–190. [In Ukrainian]
Zhyla, S. M. 2021. The behaviour and social structure of the herd of wild cattle (Bos taurus) in the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve. Chornobyl: open air lab. Materials Handbook I International Science and Applied Conference. Krok, Ternopil, 43–49. [In Ukrainian] https://bit.ly/3b3neUl
Zhyla, S. M., I. M. Zenina. 1999. Vertebrates of the Polissya Reserve. Polissya Nature Reserve is 30 years old. Collection of sciences works, issue 1. Zhytomyr, 62–71. [In Russian]