Middle Pleistocene fauna and palaeoenvironment in the south of Eastern Europe: A case study of the Medzhybizh 1 locality (MIS 11, Ukraine)

The Middle Pleistocene was a period of dynamic changes in Europe. During MIS 11, a number of modern mammal taxa appeared and environmental conditions remained warm and favourable for a relatively long time. The Medzhybizh 1 locality of Ukraine dated to this very period comprises alluvial deposits with rich animal remains, which allow not only to reconstruct the fauna composition, but also to highlight the environmental conditions that dominated at this locality. A revision of the fauna of Medzhybizh 1 locality based on remains of all vertebrate groups revealed a taxonomically diverse fish community (16 species of 11 genera) dominated by cyprinids common for lacustrine or riverine assemblages. Amphibians are represented by 11 species, while the number of reptile and bird remains are less significant. Mammals are the most represented group at the locality, including small mammals (30 species), carnivorans (2 species), and ungulates (5 taxa), the latter dominated by C. elaphus. The taxonomic composition of terrestrial groups indicates temperate climate with boreal-type forests and meadows similar to cold steppe, as well as low wet areas and riparian habitats inhabited by amphibians, reptiles, insectivores, beavers, and various voles. The fish assemblage indicates a partially overgrown but well-aerated water body (lake or slow-flowing river) with sandy-silty bottom. Lithic artefacts found at the Medzhybizh 1 locality contribute to a better understanding of relationships between ancient hominins and faunas during the Middle Pleistocene of Eastern Europe.Archaeological field works at Medzhybizh were supported by the NASU state research projects 0105U001383 (2005–2009), 0109U008921 (2010–2014) and partly funded by the State Fund of Fundamental Research of Ukraine grant 0118U001457 (F77/50–2018). This research was also supported by the grant 0201/2048/18 ‘Life and death of extinct rhino (Stephanorhinus sp.) from Western Poland: a multi-proxy palaeoenvironmental approach’ financed from the funds of the National Science Centre, Poland. JvdM received support from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Inovación y Universidades (current grant numbers PGC2018-093925-B-C31 and PGC2018-095489-B-I00).Peer reviewe

Muroid rodents of the lowland part of Transcarpathia: state of populations and morphophysiology

The present paper deals with the results of investigation of muroid rodent populations inhabiting on the Transcarpathian lowland. The field works to collect materials were held in three types of biotopes within the Berehove raion. The paper contains information on the most common species of muroid rodents within the studied area, which is a typical lowland region of Transcarpathia. The relative abundance and tendencies in the sex and age structure of populations are analyzed. The lengths of the body, tail, foot and auricle were measured to investigate the age- and sex-related variability of morphological features. The relative weight of physiologically important organs such as heart, liver, kidneys and adrenal glands were defined with the aim to study the patterns of variability of morphophysiological indexes. All data were subjected to statistical analysis to obtain information on the variability of those parameters in different intrapopulation groups. In some species there were analyzed the age-related and seasonal variability of morphophysiological indicators in different intrapopulation groups, and also the interspecific variability of these parameters in order to study the effect of the environmental factors on the organism’s physiology

Endemism in the mammalian fauna of the Carpathians

The paper presents a survey of the concept of endemism with special attention to the most actual problems of interpretation of this biogeographic phenomenon. The overview of the main processes that determine species richness in areas of endemism is presented as well. The unique biogeographic location of the Carpathian mountain system allows considering this region as a special area, where endemic elements are represented on such taxonomic levels as species and, especially, subspecies. Proposed here are 14 subspecies of mammals to consider them endemic for the Carpathian region and a brief overview of these subspecies is given as an annotated list. Substantiated here is the expediency to consider the Carpathian region a local biodiversity hotspot that requires increased attention for conservation, in particular because of significant number of isolated populations of highly specialized species. The loss of these taxa would mean not only a significant depletion of the local biodiversity, but also the loss of the region’s uniqueness in general

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 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

The European snow vole (Chionomys nivalis) in Ukraine: a species in the far northeast of its distribution

The European snow vole is a widespread rodent species of Europe having a highly fragmented range and a number of isolated populations. The species’ distribution is mainly restricted to high mountains of Europe and Asia Minor. The European snow vole is represented in the mammal fauna of Ukraine by an isolated population in the subalpine zone of the Carpathians. An extensive survey of all collection samples of the species deposited in zoological museums of Ukraine was conducted, including analysis of 149 available specimens. The paper presents a review of all known records of the species in Ukraine with an updated map of distribution. Morphological features of the local isolated population belonging to the subspecies C. n. ulpius is also presented with a focus on external and craniometrical characters of adult specimens. The European snow vole is a rather large rodent compared to other vole species of the local fauna. No sex-related variation by linear body dimensions was revealed in adult specimens of the species. Analysis of craniometrical characters and their comparison with those of two other subalpine vole species (Microtus agrestis and Terricola subterraneus) showed a substantial distinctness of the European snow vole, which might be related to existing niche differentiation between the three vole species supporting stability and low trophic and spatial competition within the subalpine rodent complex. The current state of the local snow vole population along with the specifics of its habitat preferences in the Ukrainian Carpathians are discussed with particular attention on the European snow vole’s role in the local subalpine small mammal community as an indicator species. The abundance of the species in the Ukrainian Carpathians is quite high within the species’ key habitats. In particular, the European snow vole dominated in samples trapped in all types of plant associations of the Chornohora massif. As an endemic and relict species with a restricted distribution, the European snow vole is protected in Ukraine and listed as vulnerable in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. Current conservation issues are discussed along with possible measures necessary for sustainable development of the local snow vole population

Zoological collections: amassment, inventory, identification (report on the XXIV Theriological School)

The XXIV Theriological School-Workshop “Zoological collections: amassment, inventory and identification of specimens” was held on 4–8 October 2017. It was organised by the Ukrainian Theriological Society, Ukrainian Scientific Centre of Ecology of the Sea, Ukrainian Mechnikov Anti-Plague Research Institute, and Odesa National University. Over 40 zoologists took part in the workshop representing 26 institutions from Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova. The workshop was held concerning a few topics: plenary reports, thematic reports and discussions about mammal collections, current research on mammals, round table discussions and master classes, excursions, field classes, etc. The Polissia Nature Reserve was recommended as the venue of the next Theriological School

Small mammals of Uzhanskyi National Park (Ukrainian Carpathians) and its vicinities: a preliminary analysis

A preliminary analysis of species composition, abundance and habitat preferences of small mammals in the territory of Uzhansky National Nature Park and its vicinities was conducted. Since the creation of the park in 1999, detailed studies on small mammals have not been conducted in the area. Thus, the present research is a first attempt to clarify the species composition and some ecological features of small mammals in the region. In September–October 2017, trappings of small mammals were conducted by traditional methods using Hero traps and live traps. Five key habitats were investigated: ‘mixed forest’, ‘forest edge’, ‘windfall’, ‘meadow’, and ‘shrubs’. The total number of trap days was 705 during which 101 specimens of 7 species were collected. One species — M. agrestis — was recorded first in Uzhansky National Park. The part of females in the general sample was higher than the part of males (58.4 % vs. 41.6 %, respectively). Among the studied habitats, the highest species richness was revealed in ‘meadow’, where all 7 species occurred. The most abundant but, at the same time, the poorest habitats were ‘mixed forest’ (34.4 specimens, 2 species) and ‘forest edge’ (20.0 specimens, 2 species). Among the 7 species revealed in the park and its vicinities, only one is considered abundant (S. tauricus). According to Shannon and Simpson diversity indices, the highest species diversity was revealed in ‘meadow’ (H = 0.746, D = 4.741), ‘windfall’ (H = 0.436, D = 2.579), and ‘shrubs’ (H = 0.430, D = 2.528), while ‘mixed forest’ and ‘forest edge’ showed the lowest diversity. By the level of habitat preference, the most eurytopic species were S. tauricus and M. glareolus. The yellow-necked field mouse preferred ‘mixed forest’ the most (Fij = 0.57) and clearly avoided ‘meadow’ and waterside ‘shrubs’. The shrews (Sorex) and voles (Microtus) under conditions of Uzhansky Park were stenotopic species occurring only in ‘meadow’ (Fij = 1.00). Habitats having the highest level of species diversity deserve special conservation attention. The current revised taxonomic list of orders Soriciformes and Muriformes includes 14 species. The presence of 2 species previously mentioned for the region have not been confirmed yet by actual records

Diversity of Muroid rodent communities in key habitats of the Skole Beskids (Eastern Carpathians)

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the structure of muroid rodent communities has been conducted in nine biotope types of the Skole Beskids National Park. Indices of species and taxonomic richness, as well as of species and taxonomic diversity are presented. The highest taxonomic richness of muroid rodents has been revealed in beech-spruce forests, clearcuttings, and meadows. These biotopes are most capable to maintain high species diversity. The high species diversity in meadows is related to the variety of meadow cenoses according to elevation, type of neighboring biotopes, and origin. The highest taxonomic diversity characterizes hornbeam-beech, beech, and mixed forests indicating high stability and sustainability of muroid rodent communities in them, because these are biotopes with native phytocenoses. The rodents’ species diversity within the park is maintained by the diversity of biotopes, their area and available trophic resources. Diversity indices have a functional relation with the taxonomic richness, which allows estimating diversity by the species richness and avoid calculations of diversity indices