abstract |
The studies
were carried out in 2021 near the village of Yushevichi,
Nesvizh Raion, Minsk Oblast (Belarus). The content
of pellets of three bird species were analysed:
Buteo buteo, Buteo lagopus, and Corvus corax. In
total, 129 intact and about 30 destructed pellets
were processed. Skeletal elements of five small
mammal species belonging to five genera of two orders
(Rodentia and Eulipotyphla) were found, including
remains of nine speckled ground squirrels. The remains
of seven of the nine ground squirrel individuals
found in the pellets were found in raven pellets,
however, the authors believe that this fact does
not yet prove a greater influence of the raven on
the local ground squirrel population. The pellets
analysis and observations of feeding behaviour of
the three bird species prove that the speckled ground
squirrel is constantly included in the diet of both
diurnal birds of prey (genus Buteo) and of atypical
predators with a mixed nutrition (raven). Finding
of intact skulls of Spermophilus suslicus in pellets
of the mentioned bird species is unlikely, which
is determined by its considerable size. This circumstance
does not allow obtaining most of the craniometric
characters, but does not prevent the detection of
pathomorphological changes. To compare the craniological
characters, we used the skulls of dead ground squirrels
(n = 5) found in the field near the village of Yushevichi.
These individuals had visible injuries (lacerated
wounds, etc.) presumably left both by predators
and fights between ground squirrels. The most striking
pathomorphological changes were revealed: osteoporosis
and osteolysis of dental alveoli of the upper and
lower jaws and initial osteomyelitis of the cranial
vault (in the parietal and frontal bones). We believe
that the speckled ground squirrel’s conservation
status should be raised to at least Category II
(according to the system of categories adopted in
Belarus) for the following reasons: over the past
six years, out of 12 known colonies, only four colonies
have survived, two of which are practically unviable;
stable for 10 years reduction in the number; and
range fragmentation (single localities). According
to the IUCN classification, it corresponds to category
CR (critically endangered). |
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