general info about Theriologia Ukrainica

Theriologia Ukrainica

ISSN 2616-7379 (print) • ISSN 2617-1120 (online)

2020 • Vol. 20 • Contents of volume >>>


download pdfSkubak, E. 2020. Comparison of natural and re-introduced populations of the steppe marmot (Marmota bobak) in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Theriologia Ukrainica, 20: 127–131.


 

title

Comparison of natural and re-introduced populations of the steppe marmot (Marmota bobak) in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine

author(s)

Eugen Skubak

affiliation

Holy Mountains National Nature Park (Sviatohirsk, Ukraine)

bibliography

Theriologia Ukrainica. 2020. Vol. 20: 127–131.

DOI

http://doi.org/10.15407/TU2014

   

language

English, with Ukrainian summary, titles of tables, captures to figs

abstract

The paper presents data on distribution and abundance of the steppe marmot in the territory of two northern raions (districts) of Donetsk Oblast — Sloviansk and Lyman. Research was carried out in 2011 to 2020. In total, 284 burrows were recorded belonging to 25 home ranges. The largest marmot settlements in the studied territory comprise up to 29 burrows. The number of burrows on a home range varies from 1 to 29, in average 11.4. The total abundance of the steppe marmot is over 100 animals in Lyman Raion and over 20 individuals in Sloviansk Raion. The marmot population in Sloviansk Raion is re-introduced—370 individuals were released in 1991—, while the population in Lyman Raion is of rather natural origin. The optimal habitats for the steppe marmot are chalk slopes of southern exposure, where its home ranges consist of the highest number of burrows. Permanent inhabited burrows are located in the middle part of the slopes, whereas the vast majority of protective burrows are below the slope and at the bottom of the beams. All settlements are located on the right bank of rivers. The largest marmot settlements are confined to poor Cretaceous and, less frequently, sandy soils with sparse vegetation. The natural marmot population in Lymansky Raion shows a tendency to slow dispersal and population growth, while the abundance of the re-introduced population is much smaller than the number of released animals. The density of the natural population remains low despite the many uninhabited areas suitable for the marmots. Settlements are formed as separate disconnected groups. New marmot settlements are often formed in places of old settlements. Natural populations are more stable compared to re-introduced ones and the density of natural steppe marmot population is also higher. Poaching, especially in Sloviansk Raion, is a major threat to the marmot, as well as the overgrowth of the steppe by shrubs due to decrease in grazing. Marmot settlements on the Cretaceous steppes are almost insensitive to reduced grazing. In Lyman Raion, fires and ploughing of balka slopes, too, negatively affect the species. Development of epizootics is unlikely given the low density of the marmot. The marmot populations can be preserved and can even expand their range in the region if sufficient protection measures are provided.

keywords

steppe marmot, natural population, re-introduced population, Donetsk Oblast.

   

references

Taranenko, L. I. 1997. On the former distribution of the steppe marmot in Donetsk Oblast. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Marmots of the CIS Countries. ABF Publishing House, Moscow, 41–42. (In Russian)
Tokarsky, V. A. 1997. The Baibak and Other Species of the Genus Marmot. Kharkiv Theriological Society, Kharkiv, 1–303. (In Russian)
Tokarsky, V. A. V. V. Grubnik, A. S. Avdeev. 2006a. Re-acclimatization of the marmot (Marmota bobаk Mull., 1776) in Ukraine (Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts). The Journal of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Series Biology, No. 748 (4): 100–109. (In Russian)
Tokarsky, V. A., V. I. Ronkin, G. A. Savchenko. 2006b. Key ecological factors of revival of the European subspecies of the steppe marmot in the middle of the XX century and the decrease of its abundance on the verge of the 20th and 21st centuries. The Journal of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Series Biology, No. 729: 193–201. (In Russian).
Tokarsky, V. A., G. A. Savchenko, V. I. Ronkin. 2012. The history of investigation and dynamics of growth of Velikiy Burluk population of the steppe marmot. The Journal of V.N.Karazin Kharkiv National University. Series: biology, No. 1008: 156–164. (In Russian)
Ugnevenko, V. P, L. I. Taranenko. 1997. Results of the settlement of the steppe marmot in the Donetsk region. In: Proceedings of the International Seminar on Marmots of the CIS Countries. ABF Publishing House, Moscow, 49–50. (In Russian)


 


to main page of journal >>>

created: 30.12.2020
updated: 24.05.2021

Locations of visitors to this page