Small mammals of the Mongolian mountain steppe region near Erdensant: insights from live-trapping and bird pellet remains.

Abstract

Relatively little is known of the distribution, abundance and ecology of small mammals in Mongolia and as a result there is scant knowledge of the effects of environmental and anthropogenic factors on small mammal populations. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of small mammals in mountain steppe habitat from live-trapping and analysis of mammal remains from raptor pellets and below nests. During live-trapping, root voles (Microtus oeconemus) were the most commonly caught species accounting for 47.5 % of captures, striped hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis) and pika (Ochotona hyperborea) accounted for 30 % and 22.5 % of captures respectively. Temperature influenced trapping success, with small mammals appearing to avoid being active at temperatures over 20˚C. The three species caught on the trapping grid appeared to avoid competition for resources through both temporal and spatial differences in the use of available habitat. Mammals identified from raptor pellets and other remains included the grey hamster (Cricatulus migratorius), Siberian marmot (Marmota sibirica), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), long-tailed souslik (Citellus undulatus) and the Daurian mole (Myospalax aspalax). Results are discussed in terms of their relevance to the conservation of mammals in Mongolia and their co-existence with livestock and humans.