Biotopic distribution and abundance of the Altai mole (<i>Talpa altaica</i> Nikolsky, 1883) on the left bank of the Middle Ob

Abstract

The studies were conducted on the territory of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug Yugra (Surgutskiy District) in 20182020 in the Surgut natural wildlife reserve and in 2020 in the vicinity of the Kamennyi Cape ski resort on the left bank of the middle Ob. The paper notes the poor knowledge of the distribution of the Altai mole in the forest zone of Western Siberia, especially on the northern and western borders of the range. Hence, there is almost complete lack of information on its biology and ecology in the area. The Altai mole was collected while counting other small mammals using trapping grooves and guiding fences made of polyethylene membrane; a total of 43 individuals were counted. As in other parts of the forest zone of Western Siberia, the Altai mole near the northern border of the range the left bank of the Middle Ob is confined to mixed and small-leaved forests with rich undergrowth and grassy layer. During the observation period, the maximum abundance of the Altai mole was in 2019. In 2018 and 2020 its abundance was 26 times lower. One of the reasons for such fluctuations can be abiotic factors, in particular, the difference in winter temperature conditions, the height of the snow cover and others. Information about freezing of both Talpa europaea Linnaeus, 1758, and Talpa altaica Nikolsky, 1883, moles during little snowy harsh winters is known.