Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review
The paper deals with the peculiarities of distribution of the field vole (M. agrestis) and the northern birch mouse (S. betulina) in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians, which are the southern range edge of these species. The present review is based on results obtained by analysis of records and...
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Barkaszi, Z. 2020-02-17T11:54:35Z 2020-02-17T11:54:35Z 2017 Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review / Z. Barkaszi // Праці Теріологічної школи. — 2017. — Т. 15: Теріологічні дослідження 2017. — С. 86-93. — Бібліогр.: 43 назв. — англ. 2312–2749 DOI: http://doi.org/10.15407/ptt2017.15.086 https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/165939 9:599.32(477.8:292.451/.454) The paper deals with the peculiarities of distribution of the field vole (M. agrestis) and the northern birch mouse (S. betulina) in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians, which are the southern range edge of these species. The present review is based on results obtained by analysis of records and sightings of these species and over 220 collection samples have been examined from leading zoological museums of Ukraine. It has been revealed that the range of the field vole on the northern megaslope of the Ukrainian Carpathians (i.e. Ciscarpathia [=Prykarpattia] and, partly, Bukovina) is practically continuous up to the krummholz and subalpine zones where the species has the highest abundance. Its distribution extends further to the southern megaslope down to the zone of deciduous forests, but the species does not penetrate the adjacent plains. On the contrary, records and sightings of the northern birch mouse are associated with highland biotopes (subalpine meadows and krummholz) of central massifs, foremost of Chornohora and Gorgany, and partly of the Skole Beskids. Moreover, the spatial distribution of records of S. betulina is similar to insular at the southern edge of its geographical range. У праці розглянуто особливості поширення полівки темної (M. agrestis) та мишівки лісової (S. betulina) в регіоні Українських Карпат, що є південним краєм їхнього ареалу. В основі цього огляду покладено результати аналізу знахідок та спостережень цих видів, розглянуто понад 220 їх зразків із провідних зоологічних музеїв України. Виявлено, що на північному макросхилі Українських Карпат (з боку Прикарпаття та частково Буковини) ареал полівки темної практично неперервний і досягає високогір’я, де її чисельність найвища, а також поширюється далі на південний макросхил, до поясу широколистяних лісів, і не проникає на рівнини. Натомість, знахідки та спостереження мишівки лісової пов’язані з високогірними біотопами (субальпійські луки та криволісся) центральних гірських хребтів, насамперед Чорногори та Ґорґан, частково й Східних Бескид. Крім того, просторовий розподіл знахідок S. betulina нагадує острівне поширення цього виду на південному краї його ареалу. The author expresses his gratitude to Yevgenia Uliura (National Museum of Natural History, Kyiv), Zhanna Rozora (Zoological Museum of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University), Andrii Zatushevskyi (Zoological Museum of Ivan Franko Lviv National University), Irina Syniavska and Sergii Rebrov (Institute of Zoology, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv) for the help and assistance they provided while working with the collections. The author also would like to acknowledge Mykhailo Krynytskyi (Head of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Dovhe Forestry and Game Husbandry) for his kind help in clarifying a number of important record localities. A special thanks to Igor Zagorodniuk for his participation in planning and discussion of this investigation, as well as to Oleksandr Kovalchuk for proofreading the manuscript. en Національний науково-природничий музей НАН України Праці теріологічної школи Поширення ссавців Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review Бореальні види Microtus agrestis та Sicista betulina в регіоні Українських Карпат: огляд Article published earlier |
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Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
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Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review |
| spellingShingle |
Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review Barkaszi, Z. Поширення ссавців |
| title_short |
Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review |
| title_full |
Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review |
| title_fullStr |
Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review |
| title_sort |
boreal species microtus agrestis and sicista betulina in the region of the ukrainian carpathians: a review |
| author |
Barkaszi, Z. |
| author_facet |
Barkaszi, Z. |
| topic |
Поширення ссавців |
| topic_facet |
Поширення ссавців |
| publishDate |
2017 |
| language |
English |
| container_title |
Праці теріологічної школи |
| publisher |
Національний науково-природничий музей НАН України |
| format |
Article |
| title_alt |
Бореальні види Microtus agrestis та Sicista betulina в регіоні Українських Карпат: огляд |
| description |
The paper deals with the peculiarities of distribution of the field vole (M. agrestis) and the northern birch mouse (S. betulina) in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians, which are the southern range edge of these species. The present review is based on results obtained by analysis of records and sightings of these species and over 220 collection samples have been examined from leading zoological museums of Ukraine. It has been revealed that the range of the field vole on the northern megaslope of the Ukrainian Carpathians (i.e. Ciscarpathia [=Prykarpattia] and, partly, Bukovina) is practically continuous up to the krummholz and subalpine zones where the species has the highest abundance. Its distribution extends further to the southern megaslope down to the zone of deciduous forests, but the species does not penetrate the adjacent plains. On the contrary, records and sightings of the northern birch mouse are associated with highland biotopes (subalpine meadows and krummholz) of central massifs, foremost of Chornohora and Gorgany, and partly of the Skole Beskids. Moreover, the spatial distribution of records of S. betulina is similar to insular at the southern edge of its geographical range.
У праці розглянуто особливості поширення полівки темної (M. agrestis) та мишівки лісової (S. betulina) в регіоні Українських Карпат, що є південним краєм їхнього ареалу. В основі цього огляду покладено результати аналізу знахідок та спостережень цих видів, розглянуто понад 220 їх зразків із провідних зоологічних музеїв України. Виявлено, що на північному макросхилі Українських Карпат (з боку Прикарпаття та частково Буковини) ареал полівки темної практично неперервний і досягає високогір’я, де її чисельність найвища, а також поширюється далі на південний макросхил, до поясу широколистяних лісів, і не проникає на рівнини. Натомість, знахідки та спостереження мишівки лісової пов’язані з високогірними біотопами (субальпійські луки та криволісся) центральних гірських хребтів, насамперед Чорногори та Ґорґан, частково й Східних Бескид. Крім того, просторовий розподіл знахідок S. betulina нагадує острівне поширення цього виду на південному краї його ареалу.
|
| issn |
2312–2749 |
| url |
https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/165939 |
| citation_txt |
Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review / Z. Barkaszi // Праці Теріологічної школи. — 2017. — Т. 15: Теріологічні дослідження 2017. — С. 86-93. — Бібліогр.: 43 назв. — англ. |
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2025-11-25T20:37:25Z |
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2025-11-25T20:37:25Z |
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| fulltext |
Proceedings of the Theriological School, 15 (2017): 86–93
Праці Теріологічної школи, 15 (2017): 86–93
http://doi.org/10.15407/ptt2017.15.086
UDC 591.9:599.32(477.8:292.451/.454)
BOREAL SPECIES MICROTUS AGRESTIS AND SICISTA BETULINA
IN THE REGION OF THE UKRAINIAN CARPATHIANS: A REVIEW
Zoltán Barkaszi
National Museum of Natural History, NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv)
Bohdan Khmelnytsky St. 15, Kyiv, 01030 Ukraine
E-mail: zlbarkasi@ukr.net
Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a re-
view. — Barkaszi, Z. — The paper deals with the peculiarities of distribution of the field vole (M. agrestis)
and the northern birch mouse (S. betulina) in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians, which are the southern
range edge of these species. The present review is based on results obtained by analysis of records and sight-
ings of these species and over 220 collection samples have been examined from leading zoological museums
of Ukraine. It has been revealed that the range of the field vole on the northern megaslope of the Ukrainian
Carpathians (i.e. Ciscarpathia [=Prykarpattia] and, partly, Bukovina) is practically continuous up to the
krummholz and subalpine zones where the species has the highest abundance. Its distribution extends further
to the southern megaslope down to the zone of deciduous forests, but the species does not penetrate the adja-
cent plains. On the contrary, records and sightings of the northern birch mouse are associated with highland
biotopes (subalpine meadows and krummholz) of central massifs, foremost of Chornohora and Gorgany, and
partly of the Skole Beskids. Moreover, the spatial distribution of records of S. betulina is similar to insular at
the southern edge of its geographical range.
Key words: vole, birch mouse, species distribution, range edge, Carpathians.
Бореальні види Microtus agrestis та Sicista betulina в регіоні Українських Карпат: огляд. — Бар-
касі, З. — У праці розглянуто особливості поширення полівки темної (M. agrestis) та мишівки лісової
(S. betulina) в регіоні Українських Карпат, що є південним краєм їхнього ареалу. В основі цього огля-
ду покладено результати аналізу знахідок та спостережень цих видів, розглянуто понад 220 їх зразків
із провідних зоологічних музеїв України. Виявлено, що на північному макросхилі Українських Карпат
(з боку Прикарпаття та частково Буковини) ареал полівки темної практично неперервний і досягає ви-
сокогір’я, де її чисельність найвища, а також поширюється далі на південний макросхил, до поясу
широколистяних лісів, і не проникає на рівнини. Натомість, знахідки та спостереження мишівки лісо-
вої пов’язані з високогірними біотопами (субальпійські луки та криволісся) центральних гірських
хребтів, насамперед Чорногори та Ґорґан, частково й Східних Бескид. Крім того, просторовий розпо-
діл знахідок S. betulina нагадує острівне поширення цього виду на південному краї його ареалу.
Ключові слова : полівка, мишівка, поширення видів, край ареалу, Карпати.
Introduction
Being situated in Central Europe, the Carpathian mountain system is a unique biogeographic is-
land with a peculiar composition of biota. The biodiversity of the Carpathians is due to several fac-
tors. Foremost, because of their special geographic location — the Carpathian bow is a contact zone
between faunal assemblages of the Pannonian Basin, the East European Plain, and the Balkans. Insu-
larity, large extent and landscape heterogeneity are important factors that determine the features of
modern composition of the region’s biota (Mráz, Ronikier, 2016).
The Carpathian region was also an important refugium during Pleistocene glaciations where
species associated with temperate climate coexisted with more cold-adapted ones (Sommer, Nada-
chowski, 2006; Schmitt, Varga, 2012). Obviously, all these features determine the high level of spe-
cies richness (e.g. in mammals, nesting birds, amphibians, lichens, and vascular plants) and the sig-
nificant number of endemic taxa (in particular among subterraneous invertebrates, mollusks, arthro-
Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review 87
pods, and vascular plants) allowing to consider the Carpathian region an important biodiversity hot-
spot (Bálint et al., 2011; Barkasi, 2016; Mráz, Ronikier, 2016).
As a geographic barrier the Carpathians are part of range edges of several species, in particular
mammals, that exist here in isolated (e.g., Lynx lynx, Ursus arctos) or semi-isolated (e.g., Eptesicus
nilssonii) populations. For such boreal species as Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina the Carpa-
thians are the southern range edge, and the distribution of these species is related mainly to the pres-
ence of suitable habitats. Besides, both species are part of the montane assemblage of small mam-
mals (Barkasi, Zagorodniuk, 2016).
The existence of species under such conditions is always accompanied with low population
densities and a narrow niche, particularly regarding its spatial dimension. The species ecology at
range edges is of particular interest because it gives insights into the factors that determine the limits
of realized niche and the population dynamics. Species with low population densities are under a
higher risk of extinction having decreased adaptive capabilities, which could inhibit or slow down
range expansions and thus stabilize range edges (Bahn et al., 2006).
Differences in the intensity of influence of factors controlling population dynamics (environ-
mental conditions, interspecific interactions) from the range center to its periphery, and also evolu-
tionary factors that determine the species adaptive capability were used to explain the biological
features of species existing in range edge conditions (Holt, Keitt, 2005; Bahn et al., 2006). However,
despite the considerable number of proposed theoretic models, many issues regarding the relative
importance of abiotic and biotic factors in determination of range limits remain unexplored due to
difficulties in testing these theories in practice (Gaston, 2009; Sexton et al., 2009).
The aim of the present work is to analyze the distribution of boreal species for which the Carpa-
thian mountain system represents the southern range edge. As model objects the Ukrainian part of
the Carpathians and two rodent species — the field vole (Microtus agrestis) and the northern birch
mouse (Sicista betulina) which are common for boreo-montane assemblages of the region — have
been used.
Material and methods
The present contribution is based on results obtained by analysis of zoological collections of the
National Museum of Natural History, NAS of Ukraine (NMNHU1), Laboratory of Population Ecol-
ogy and Biogeography, Institute of Zoology, NAS of Ukraine (SIZK), State Museum of Natural
History (SMNH), Zoological Museum of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University (ZMKU), and
B. Dybowski Zoological Museum of Ivan Franko Lviv National University (ZMD).
While working with collection materials, 437 samples of voles from the Ukrainian Carpathians
have been examined, data on which are summarized in our previous work. Among them, due to
identification and re-identification, 221 samples of the field vole have been revealed. The only mu-
seum specimen of the northern birch mouse, known for the author, was collected in the Ukrainian
Carpathians and it is being preserved in ZMD.
Data on several aspects of biology and distribution of the field vole and the northern birch
mouse published in works of the region’s researchers of the 20th–21st centuries have been also used
and generalized. Cartographic materials have been prepared by QGis open-source geoinformation
system application.
Results and discussion
Field vole (Microtus agrestis)
The field vole has been recorded in the fauna of the Carpathian region since the very first fauna
surveys. For Ciscarpathia, in particular for Galicia and Bukovina, the field vole is listed in
A. Zawadzki’s review as Hypudaeus gregarius Illig. (Zawadzki, 1840). In the Carpathian Mountains
M. agrestis was first recorded by L. Méhely (1908) as a result of re-identification of museum sam-
1 Acronyms of the museums are given in accordance to Zagorodniuk, Shydlovskyy, 2014 and Akimov et al., 2016.
Zoltán Barkaszi 88
ples collected in the former Hungarian county Árva (Hungarian: Árva vármegye), which today is
part of Slovakia and Poland (Slovak: Orvská župa, Polish: Komitat Orawa).
The distribution of this rodent is related mainly to the presence of suitable habitats with boreal
vegetation elements and microclimatic conditions. The field vole is distributed in the lowlands in the
western regions of Ukraine. Its typical biotopes in Ciscarpathia are open moist meadows in the Dni-
ester river’s valley (Tatarinov, 1956). In the 1950s, the species was first recorded in the mountainous
part of Bukovina (Horbyk, 1956). Its typical biotopes in the Carpathian Mountains are fir-spruce
forests, krummholz and subalpine meadows, where it occupies moist habitats close to streams (Ta-
tarinov, 1956; Grodziński et al., 1966; Uhrin et al., 2009; Nae et al., 2010). The highest abundance
of the field vole in the Ukrainian Carpathians is in the zone of krummholz (Kyselyuk, 2002), mainly
in thickets of the creeping pine (Pinus mugo) and docks (Rumex spp.) (Rudyshin, 1965). There is a
decline in the abundance of this species on the southern megaslope and its records from the lowland
part of Transcarpathia (= Zakarpattia) are unknown (Tatarinov, 1956; Korchinsky, 1988).
Seasonal migrations of the field vole in the subalpine zone of Chornohora were well studied by
B. Pyliavsky (Pyliavsky, 1970). It was shown that its populations are the most sedentary during
summer and winter, while migration occurs in spring and autumn. Thus, in spring the field vole
starts to migrate to the polonynas2 in the late May. In this time, they appear in thickets of matgrass,
blueberry, and hair grass. During June–July, the abundance of the field vole in these associations is
quite high and it fluctuates slightly. However, in early August the number of these animals sharply
declines and continues to decrease to late autumn in accordance to the changes of vegetation aspects.
Autumn migrations are the most clearly expressed, probably because of poor feeding conditions on
the polonynas and of sharp temperature drop accompanied by frequent and strong winds.
According to Pyliavsky (1970), the reason for the field vole’s migration in the subalpine zone is
the change of vegetation aspects and the decline of food on the polonynas, which causes the migra-
tion of these rodents from the polonyna to the forest. In spring, when the vegetation starts to develop
on the polonynas, these voles migrate in the opposite direction. In summer these animals migrate to
short distances, however, along with the development of vegetation in other associations the route
passed by the voles is notably increases.
Data from literature on the distribution of the field vole in the Ukrainian Carpathians are con-
firmed by the analyzed museum collections. There are 221 specimens of M. agrestis from the region
of the Ukrainian Carpathians in the five museums from the following locations3 (number of speci-
mens in parentheses):
ZMKU (19): ♦ NAD, Hoverla Mt., northern slope (2); ♦ RAK, Baltsatul pol.4 (1), Hoverlianka tract (4);
♦ TIA, Bradul tract (11), Popadia Mt. (1).
SIZK (13): ♦ NAD, Maryshevska pol. (8), ivo4 Mykulychyn vil. (1); ♦ RAK, Breskul pol. (4).
SMNH (76): ♦ DOL, ivo Vyshkiv vil. (11); ♦ NAD, Pozhyzhevska pol. (39), Kukul Mt. (2), ivo Vorokhta
city (1); ♦ RAK, Breskul pol. (1), Petros Mt. (1), Baltsatul pol. (1), Kvasivskyi Menchul pol. (4), Sheshul
Mt. (4); ♦ ROZ, ivo Osmoloda vil. (2); ♦ SAM, ivo Kornalovychi vil. (4); ♦ SKO, ivo Skole city (1);
♦ VER, Chyvchyny Mts. (2), ivo Dzembronia vil. (2), Smotrych pol. (1).
ZMD (34): ♦ DOL, ivo Vykhoda u.t.s.3 (1); ♦ IRS, ivo Dovhe vil. (4), Lypove tract (2); ♦ NAD, Hadz-
hyna pol. (1); ♦ RAK, Baltsatul pol. (4), Kvasivskyi Menchul pol. (1), Lysycha pol. (2), Sheshul Mt. (15),
Vesniarka pol. (1); ♦ VER, Hostiv Mt. (2); ♦ VOL, Borzhava pol. (1).
NMNHU (79): ♦ BOH, ivo Bohorodchany city (47); ♦ DRO, ivo Drohobych city (1); ♦ HAL, ivo Ozeri-
any vil. (5); ♦ HOR, ivo Berezets vil. (2); ♦ PER, Runa pol. (4); ♦ RAK, ivo Kvasy vil. (16); ♦ STR, ivo
Strilkiv vil. (2); ♦ TIA, ivo Velyka Uholka vil. (1); ♦ ivo Chernivtsi city (1).
2 Polonyna is the local name of subalpine meadows and pastures (both of natural and artificial origin).
3 Acronyms of districts (= raions; here and further): BOH — Bohorodchany; DOL — Dolyna; DRO — Drohobych;
HAL — Halych; HOR — Horodok; IRS — Irshava; MIZ — Mizhhiria; NAD — Nadvirna; PER — Perechyn;
RAK — Rakhiv; ROZ — Rozhniativ; SAM — Sambir; SKO — Skole; STR — Stryi; TIA — Tiachiv VER — Verk-
hovyna; VOL — Volovets.
4 Abbreviations used: pol. — polonyna; ivo — in vicinities of; vil. — village, u.t.s — urban-type settlement.
Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review 89
Fig. 1. Records of the field vole
(M. agrestis) in the region of the
Ukrainian Carpathians. The dash-dot
line indicates the southern range
edge of the species.
Рис. 1. Знахідки полівки темної
(M. agrestis) в регіоні Українських
Карпат. Штрих-пунктирна лінія
позначає південний край ареалу
виду.
By combination of data on record localities obtained from literature sources and from the col-
lections, the distribution map of the field vole in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians has been
created (fig. 1).
Northern birch mouse (Sicista betulina)
During the Middle and Late Pleistocene the distributional range of the genus Sicista was notably
enlarged westward (Oppliger, Becker, 2010; Rofes et al., 2012). Today the representatives of this
genus in the fauna of Europe are extremely rare. After introducing the technique of studying of
chromosomal slides into the practice of zoological research, it was revealed that the European spe-
cies of birch mice actually represent species complexes “Sicista betulina” and “Sicista subtilis.”
Forms (species) distinguished by cytogenetic features were established in each complex during the
last three decades (Sokolov et al., 1987; Zagorodniuk, Kondratenko, 2006).
The main distribution area of Sicista betulina includes coniferous forests (taiga) of the eastern
Palearctic: from the Czech Republic and Poland to the Baikal, and from the Arctic Circle to the Car-
pathian Mountains (Pucek, 1999; Shenbrot et al., 2008). Some isolated relict populations of the spe-
cies exist also in Scandinavia, northern Germany, and Austria (Pucek, 1999; Meinig et al., 2008).
The northern birch mouse was first recorded in the fauna of the Carpathians in 1913 and described as
Sicista montana Méh. based on specimens from the High Tatras and mountains of the former Árva
county (Méhely, 1913). In the fauna of the western regions of Ukraine, the species was first recorded
in 1953 based on two specimens trapped in Rakhiv raion, Transcaprathia (Koliushev, 1953).
Cytogenetic studies showed that the Carpathian (just as the Polissian) population of the northern
birch mouse refers to the 2n = 32 chromosome race (Baskevich, 1988; Baker et al., 1996; Zagorod-
niuk, 2007) and represents the taxon Sicista betulina s. str. (Zagorodniuk, Kondratenko, 2006). The
Carpathian form is quite often considered a separate subspecies Sicista betulina montana Méh.
(Zagorodniuk, 1998; Zagorodniuk, Kondratenko, 2006).
The northern birch mouse is a rare and infrequent species in the Ukrainian Carpathians with a
sporadic distribution. It is associated with krummholz and other subalpine vegetation (Tatarinov,
1956). The species is also rare in the Polish (Grodziński et al., 1966), Slovakian (Štollmann, 1984;
Uhrin et al., 2009), and Romanian (Murariu, 1997) parts of the Carpathians. The idea that the Carpa-
thians are the southern range edge of Sicista betulina was proposed already in the middle 1990s, in
particular by Korchinsky (1995) and Murariu (1997).
Most of the records of the northern birch mouse originate from the Chornohora massif, in par-
ticular from Pozhyzhevska polonyna (Tatarinov, 1956; Rudyshin, 1982). The species is poorly stud-
ied compared to other rodent species of the region, and its biological and ecological features were
Zoltán Barkaszi 90
described in the middle of the 20th century based on single records from Chornohora (Koliushev,
1953; Turyanin, 1959; Tatarinov, 1973). The northern birch mouse is a poorly studied species in the
neighboring regions as well (Pelikan et al., 1979).
The northern birch mouse hibernates in winter, which influences such aspects of biology as sea-
sonal activity and feeding. It was revealed that under conditions of the Carpathians the northern
birch mouse is active from April to October (Pelikan et al., 1979). Its highest activity in the Ukrain-
ian Carpathians covers June–August, and the latest trappings are known for the late September. Due
to the relatively short period of activity, the northern birch mouse reproduces only once a year
(Rudyshin, 1982).
The feeding of this rodent is closely related to the peculiarities of existence under conditions of
montane habitats. According to its trophic connections in Carpathian biogeocenoses, the northern
birch mouse is both a predator and an herbivore. According to data of Rudyshin (1982) on the gastric
content of 35 examples, 65.4 % of the food is made up from animal components (mainly insects),
while 34.5 % from plant components. The animal food components mainly consisted of leaf beetles
(25.6 %), ground beetles (26.7 %), and larvae of flies (24.5 %). The prevalence of animal compo-
nents in the diet of the birch mouse is apparently related to the necessity of accumulation enough
nutrients essential for winter hibernation during a relatively short period of activity and high abun-
dance of insects in the subalpine zone.
The museum specimen of the northern birch mouse has been analyzed, as well as separate pub-
lications dealing with data on record and sighting localities of the species. Based on combination of
all available data, the distribution map of Sicista betulina in the Ukrainian Carpathians has been cre-
ated (fig. 2). In total 106 specimens and sightings of the species are known from 9 locations:
ZMD (1): ♦ NAD, Pozhyzhevska pol. (1).
Rudyshin, 1982 (93): ♦ NAD, Pozhyzhevska pol. (92); Breskul pol. (1).
Stetsula, 2011 (1): ♦ SKO, Skole Forestry (1).
Koliushev, 1953 (2): ♦ RAK, Hoverla Mt. (1); Kozmeschyk tract (1).
Zagorodniuk I., pers. com. (5): ♦ RAK, Maryshevska pol. (5).
Mateleshko O., pers. com. (2): ♦ MIZ, Synevir Lake, bank (1); ♦ RAK, Apshynets Lake, bank (1).
Tsapulich O., pers. com. (1): ♦ RAK, Maryshevska pol. (1).
Palameranko О., pers. com. (1): ♦ SKO, Parashka Mt. (1).
The geography of records
Analysis of the geography of records of the studied species clearly confirms the theory that the
Carpathians, in particular the Ukrainian Carpathians, are the southern range edge of these species. In
case of M. agrestis we can observe its distribution from the western forest zone of Ukraine to the
Carpathians. The clearest distributional corridor is the Polissia–Roztochia–Ciscarpathia–Carpathians
direction, which connects the Carpathian population with the main range of the species in the forest
zone of Eastern Europe. On the northern megaslope of the Ukrainian Carpathians (from the side of
Ciscarpathia and partly of Bukovina), the field vole is distributed up to the subalpine zone having a
continuous range. On the contrary, on the southern megaslope, i.e. in Transcarpathia, the species’
range is sharply ragged, and most of the records are related to mountain communities, while there
are no records from the lowlands.
The spatial distribution of records of M. agrestis in the Ukrainian Carpathians is clearly associ-
ated with the biogeographic peculiarities of this region, including the differences in altitudinal zona-
tion and related geobotanical conditions on the northern and southern megaslopes. The northern
megaslope is characterized by mainly boreal type of plant cover with a high fraction of mixed forests
from the foothills up to the tree line. On the contrary, there is a gradual alternation of zones of
krummholz, dark coniferous, mixed, and deciduous forests with the decrease of the elevation on the
southern megaslope. In addition, an important factor is the dense network of river valleys on both
megaslopes that also promote the distribution of species associated with humid habitats, such as the
field vole.
Boreal species Microtus agrestis and Sicista betulina in the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians: a review 91
Fig. 2. Records of the northern
birch mouse (S. betulina) in the
region of the Ukrainian Carpathi-
ans. The dash-dot line indicates the
southern range edge of the species.
Рис. 2. Знахідки мишівки лісової
(S. betulina) в регіоні Українсь-
ких Карпат. Штрих-пунктирна
лінія позначає південний край
ареалу виду.
In terms of the altitudinal zonation in the Ukrainian Carpathians, it should be noticed that most
of the records of M. agrestis are related to the zones of krummholz and subalpine meadows (polony-
nas), as well as of coniferous and mixed forests. In the foothills of the southern megaslope and in the
Transcarpathian plain this vole has not been recorded. It allows suggesting that the range edge of this
species in the Ukrainian Carpathians reaches the zone of deciduous forests on the southern
megaslope.
Regarding to S. betulina, there are reasons to suggest that its Carpathian population, similarly to
the field vole, might have a connection with the main geographical range through Roztochia and
Polissia. Records and sighting of this species in the Ukrainian Carpathians are known from the
northern megaslope and some central massifs such as Gorgany and Chornohora. Based on recent
observations it can be suggested that on the southern megaslope the northern birch mouse is distrib-
uted only at high elevations and it does not occur below the tree line zone. Therefore, it can be as-
sumed that the southern range edge of this species corresponds to the zones of subalpine meadows
and krummholz of the central ridges of the Ukrainian Carpathians.
The low population abundance of the northern birch mouse at the southern range edge is likely
related to its more limited adaptive capability compared to the field vole, however, this rodent is
considered rare throughout its whole range. The rarity of this species is probably associated with its
ecological peculiarities. In particular, the short period of activity and long-term hibernation in overly
cold conditions might be reasons for the death of these animals during winter (lack of food storages
for winter, shortage of nutrients accumulated during a short warm period for a long-term hibernation,
freezing due to low temperatures). Thus, the only generation for a season, critical conditions of hi-
bernation with a likely high level of mortality, and limited habitat restriction of this species all are
unfavorable factors for population growth.
Conclusions
The Ukrainian Carpathians are the southern range edge of several boreal species, in particular of
the field vole (Microtus agrestis) and the northern birch mouse (Sicista betulina), which are also part
of bore-montane assemblages in the region’s fauna.
The analysis of records and sightings of these two species in this region shows that the field
vole has a continuous range on the northern megaslope, while on the southern megaslope its range is
sharply ragged and it does not rich the lowlands. Regarding to the northern birch mouse, the highest
concentration of its record and observation localities is related to highland biotopes (subalpine
meadows, krummholz) of Chornohora, Gorgany, and the Skole Beskids. Such distribution pattern of
the species’ record localities at its southern range edge is similar to insular.
Zoltán Barkaszi 92
The narrow ecological niche with limited spatial component and associated features of spatial
distribution of these species’ populations well illustrate and may have key importance for under-
standing the patterns of biogeography of montane faunal assemblages.
Acknowledgements
The author expresses his gratitude to Yevgenia Uliura (National Museum of Natural History,
Kyiv), Zhanna Rozora (Zoological Museum of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University), Andrii
Zatushevskyi (Zoological Museum of Ivan Franko Lviv National University), Irina Syniavska and
Sergii Rebrov (Institute of Zoology, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv) for the help and assistance they pro-
vided while working with the collections. The author also would like to acknowledge Mykhailo
Krynytskyi (Head of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Dovhe Forestry and
Game Husbandry) for his kind help in clarifying a number of important record localities. A special
thanks to Igor Zagorodniuk for his participation in planning and discussion of this investigation, as
well as to Oleksandr Kovalchuk for proofreading the manuscript.
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