Confirmation of the presence of steppe polecat Mustela eversmanii (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Giurgiu County (Romania) after more than 5 decades

Alexandru Alistar,Cristina Florentina Pelcaru

doi:10.3897/travaux.64.e65524

Alexandru Alistar, Cristina Florentina Pelcaru

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3897/travaux.64.e65524

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Abstract

This paper confirms the presence of steppe polecat Mustela eversmanii in Giurgiu County after more than 50 years. Mustela eversmanii is considered a vulnerable species, being listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive. The specimen was found within the Site of Community Importance - ROSCI0043 Comana, included in the Natura 2000 network, which significantly overlaps with the protected natural area (Comana Natural Park). Currently, the steppe polecat is not added to the list of the Standard Form, because its presence was uncertain. We consider that this discovery is valuable and has important implications for the conservation of the species.

Highlights

This paper confirms the presence of steppe polecat Mustela eversmanii in Giurgiu County after more than 50 years
Mustela eversmanii (Lesson, 1827) is a mustelid species typical of steppe lands and arid plains, but records suggest that it can be found in neighboring habitats to agricultural land (Wolsan 1993; Šálek et al 2013)
There is a close phenotypic resemblance between Mustela putorius and Mustela eversmanii, the two carnivorous species being often difficult to distinguish, and this difficulty in correctly identifying the species could contribute to the unknown status of the steppe inhabitant (Hegyeli 2009; Šálek et al 2013)

Summary

Introduction

This paper confirms the presence of steppe polecat Mustela eversmanii in Giurgiu County after more than 50 years. Mustela eversmanii (Lesson, 1827) is a mustelid species typical of steppe lands and arid plains, but records suggest that it can be found in neighboring habitats to agricultural land (Wolsan 1993; Šálek et al 2013).

Results

Conclusion