THE FAUNA OF CARNIVORANS OF THE FAMILY MUSTELIDAE IN POLTAVA REGION, UKRAINE: HISTORY AND CURRENT STATUS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/1998-6475.2024.56.24-33Keywords:
Mustelidae, fauna rotation, population dynamics, collection specimens, Poltava OblastAbstract
The article presents the results of the analysis of various data sources on the history and current status of mustelids in Poltava Oblast, Ukraine: a review of museum collections, analysis of statistical information, reports of hunters, and actual findings. A decrease in the number of animals has been recorded for many species, including the stoat (Mustela erminea), beech marten (Martes foina), European badger (Meles meles), and otter (Lutra lutra), which, despite the decline in numbers, are widespread in the region. It has been revealed that, unlike in the early twentieth century, the numbers of the European pine marten (Martes martes) began to exceed that of Martes foina, but the abundance of both species continues to decline rapidly with wave-like dynamics. At the same time, there is a rapid increase in the numbers of an alien species, the American mink (Neogale vison), and, as a result, the European mink (Mustela lutreola) is being displaced. The abundance of some representatives of the Mustelidae is higher in Poltava Oblast nearby to the Dnipro River, such as Martes Martes, Martes foina, and Mustela nivalis. The article presents a number of earlier references and modern factual data on findings of the Mustelidae in the period from the second half of the twentieth century to the present day. Only old finds of such species as the steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanni) and the marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) are known, which indicates a critical decline in their populations and possible extinction. One of the reasons for this phenomenon is most likely the disappearance of speckled ground squirrel (Spermophilus suslicus) populations in the region. Among the main reasons for the decline in the populations of most members of the Mustelidae family is the deterioration of animal habitats as a result of direct or indirect human impact: destruction of natural habitats, deterioration of the food base, and the negative impact of invasive alien species.
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