Характеристика поселень сліпачка степового (Ellobius talpinus) у Національному природному парку «Кам’янська січ»

Abstract

Preserved and protected within the territory of the Kamyanska Sich National Nature Park areas of psammophytic steppe are natural habitats of the highly specialized and stenotopic northern mole vole Ellobius talpinus. Studies of recent settlements of the species have revealed their strong preference for slopes of riparian balkas and upper terraces of the Kamiansko-Mylivska section of the Kakhovka Reservoir covered with psammophytic vegetation. As places for colonies, these rodents definitely prefer dry loess-sandy soils of light composition, avoiding shrubbery and dense grass due to the danger of disguising in them flying and terrestrial predators. A total of 14 "living" colonies of the northern mole vole were registered, 9 of which were defined as small-family settlements (less than 100 m2). The other five colonies had a clearly multi-family structure and a large area (680–1720 m2), within which spatially isolated clusters of emissions were traced hypothetically perceived as separate family constructions (up to 270 m2). According to these landmarks, some large settlements contained 3 to 9 networks of family burrows located at a distance of 57 to 106 m. Five small uninhabited settlements (45–70 m2) were also recorded with signs of last year emissions. These settlements were located on the periphery of large colonies, 108–219 m far from the nearest emissions of "living" settlements. Estimates of the total number of inhabitants of the 14 "living" settlements in the territory of the Kamianska Sich National Nature Park range from 50 to 200 individuals. As of July 2021, the number of reproductive adults in the registered colonies of the species is 40–50, while the number of young of the current year of birth should be estimated at least 100–120 individuals. Colonies of the northern mole vole are characterized by the presence in their vicinities of spring ephemeroids such as T. hypanica, T. schrenkii, B. versicolor, and C. reticulatus, which are indicator species of primary virgin steppe biotopes. The results of surveys of northern mole vole colonies and ecological assessments of protected natural habitats of the Kamianska Sich National Nature Park provide grounds for a favourable prognosis of further preservation of the last range segment of the species in the territory of Right-Bank Ukraine.