What is it about?
In one natural area, animals may have different distribution. They inhabit some areas, while they do not exist. Scientists have been working on this issue for a long time. This study reports that the species composition and species distribution varies depending on geoecological districts. Twenty-eight rodent species have been recorded in the territory of Mordovia, Russia. In the region, the largest number of species belongs to coniferous and broad-leaved forests (42.9%). Species widely distributed in several natural areas (28.5%) ranked second place in terms of their representation. They are slightly inferior to the steppe animal species (25%). The taiga fauna is represented by only 3.6% of the total number of registered species. For each geoecological district, the features of the rodent fauna are given, and rare species are identified. The forest-steppe region of Mordovia is compared in rodent fauna with other regions of Russia with different typical faunal assemblages.
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Why is it important?
In the region, the largest number of species belongs to coniferous and broad-leaved forests (42.9%). Species widely distributed in several natural areas (28.5%) ranked second place in terms of their representation. They are slightly inferior to the steppe animal species (25%). The taiga fauna is represented by only 3.6% of the total number of registered species. For each geoecological district, the features of the rodent fauna are given, and rare species are identified. The forest-steppe region of Mordovia is compared in rodent fauna with other regions of Russia with different typical faunal assemblages.
Perspectives
We assume that the geographic latitude of the area inhabited by rodent species may be decisive in this difference. Indisputable influence is exerted by climatic conditions. Our research covers the northern sections (ca. 54º N), while in Indonesia these are the southern sections (ca. 6º S), and in Peru these are the southern sections (ca. 10º S). Thus, possible causes for the higher proportion of rodents in Mordovia are more severe living conditions, which are less suitable for bats.
Alexey Andreychev
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Short Communication: Proportion faunal assemblage of rodents in geoecological districts of Mordovia, Russia, Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, August 2020, UNS Solo,
DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d210906.
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