title

Morphological variability and taxonomic status of the hedgehog (Erinaceus) in the Republic of Moldova

author(s)

Victoria Nistreanu (orcid: 0000-0002-972-96846)

affiliation

Moldova State University, Institute of Zoology (Chisinau, Republic of Moldova)

bibliography

Theriologia Ukrainica. 2026. Vol. 31: 77–85.

DOI

language

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

abstract

The hedgehog is a common and widespread species in the Republic of Moldova. In the studies from the past century and even in more recent papers, the hedgehog was considered to be the species Erinaceus europaeus. The aim of this study was to establish the taxonomic status of hedgehog in the Republic of Moldova based on external and cranial morphology and to confirm the occurrence of the species E. roumanicus in the territory of the country. The material was collected in 2010–2024 all over the territory of the Republic of Moldova. Hedgehog individuals from over 120 locations were registered; in 36 individuals, external biometric measurements were taken and 42 skulls were examined by using 15 linear measurements of the skull. In collected individuals the white spot had more or less symmetric or asymmetric shape and had various forms and dimensions. The external biometric measurements of E. roumanicus individuals from the Republic of Moldova showed wider limits of all the characters in comparison to previous data, fitting to those indicated for Central Europe. The skull is quite massive and changes significantly with age. The mandibular foramen is shifted towards the lower end of the mandible and the articular condyle has the shape of an elongated drop. The mandibular coronary process is high and heavily curved, and there is a well-pronounced recess between the angular process and the horizontal ramus of the mandible. The cranial parameters vary within a low range thorough the territory of Moldova. The values of nasal, maxillary, and mandibular indexes vary slightly with low value of variation coefficient. The nasal index values, the shape of the mandibular bones, and the location of foramena exclude completely the occurrence of the species E. europaeus in the territory of the Republic of Moldova. The length of the naso-maxillary suture varies between 3.74–6.39 mm, which is particular for the morphotype roumanicus, while in the concolor morphotype this suture is very short or even absent. Thus, according to shape and size of the ventral white spot, morphology of the mandible, the nasal, maxillary and mandibular indexes, as well as the length of the naso-maxillary suture, the territory of the Republic of Moldova is inhabited by the species E. roumanicus.

keywords

Erinaceus roumanicus, cranial morphology, naso-maxillary suture, Republic of Moldova

references

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