Distribution of the greater mole rat (Spalax microphthalmus) in Ukraine based on materials of zoological collections
A review of the collection samples of the greater mole rat, Spalax microphthalmus, from the territory of Ukraine, which are stored in zoological collections of the four largest natural history museums of Ukraine and in the working collections of the authors. In total, 159 specimens from 30 locations...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
National Museum of Natural History, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
2018-12-01
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| Series: | Geo&Bio |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://museumkiev.org/public/visnyk/16_2018/GB1608_korobchenko.html |
| Summary: | A review of the collection samples of the greater mole rat, Spalax microphthalmus, from the territory of Ukraine, which are stored in zoological collections of the four largest natural history museums of Ukraine and in the working collections of the authors. In total, 159 specimens from 30 locations within Ukraine are recorded. All available collections are re-identified; the important facts about the present and past distribution of S. microphthalmus and geographically close species of Spalax are listed; a table with results of important redefinitions (13 specimens or 7.6 % of all specimens stored as S. microphthalmus) is presented. The geographical distribution of the species according to re-identified specimens collected during the last 65 years (1949–2014) is analysed. Detailed information about all locations confirmed by collections is provided separately for each administrative oblasts, including locality name, number and sex of specimen(s), collector name, collection date, and type of material. Information on collectors of material is summarised. According to the volume of material, three eastern regions of Ukraine are the most fully represented, namely Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Donetsk Oblasts. From the territory of 7 oblasts where the eastern mole rat has previously been distributed, there are no collected specimens, indicating its low abundance in such areas and (or) the contraction of the former species range for the whole time of observations. According to the representation in the zoological collections, eastern locations, especially those in the basin of the Siversky Donets, are clearly distinguished. |
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| ISSN: | 2617-6157 2617-6165 |