Diversity and ecology of mammal species from the „Padurea Domneasca” scientific reserve

Abstract

The studies were performed in the “Pădurea Domnească” scientific Reserve between years 2017–2022. The mammal fauna includes 7 insectivore species, 13 bat species, 20 rodent species, a species of hare, 12 species of carnivores and 3 species of ungulates. In the last five years, 4 new bat species have been registered for the reserve. The 5 species of shrews were recorded mainly in wet habitats. Among the bats, the rarest were Myotis mystacinus, M. dasycneme and Plecotus auritus. The rodent fauna was the richest, many species being eurytopic. The reserve is home to 12 species of carnivores, of which the European mink has not been recorded in recent decades. The jackal number increased from 30 in 2017 to about 60 in 2022. Other species have a stable or an increasing dynamic. The wild boar number decreased from 340 in 2018 to 43 in 2021. The samples taken established the presence of the pure form of wild boar. The roe deer has an average density of 26 ind./ha, and the common deer reached 38 individuals in 2022. 18 species are protected at national level and 6 – at international level.