abstract |
The study examines the distribution patterns of two introduced carnivorous mammals—the American mink (Neogale vison) and the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)—in the left bank region of Ukraine. The study material included data from open sources, published literature, hunting statistics, zoological collections, and field observations. The history of the species’ distribution, population dynamics, current population status, and habitat associations of the introduced carnivores within the main river basins of the region are described. The current distribution of Neogale vison is closely associated with the extensive river network and the availability of food resources, primarily in the valleys of large and medium-sized rivers. In contrast, Nyctereutes procyonoides exhibits much higher ecological plasticity, manifested in its ability to utilise both natural and anthropogenically transformed habitats, and in its weak dependence on the presence of water bodies. Both species have rapidly colonised a variety of habitat types, including forest-steppe, steppe, and transformed landscapes, and have established stable populations in the basins of the Siversky Donets, Dnipro, Desna, and their tributaries. It was found that, at the present stage, the studied introduced species show signs of stable naturalisation and are permanent components of the fauna of the Left-bank Ukraine. They demonstrate different distribution patterns: N. vison remains closely linked to wetland complexes, whereas N. procyonoides is an opportunistic omnivore capable of inhabiting a much wider range of habitats. Both species potentially exert a noticeable impact on local ecosystems: N. vison competes with native semi-aquatic predators, while N. procyonoides may act as a vector of rabies and exert pressure on local terrestrial fauna. The results obtained highlight the need for further monitoring of the population size and spatial structure of introduced carnivores, as their distribution is an important factor in the transformation of biotic communities and has indicative value for assessing ecosystem status and the degree of their transformation. |
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