Stetsula N. Ecology of mouse-like rodents of the National Park "Skolivski Beskydy"

The dissertation is dedicated to the questions of ecology, species composition, biotope and vertical distributing of mouse-like rodents in ecosystems of NP "Skolivski Beskуdу". Altogether, populations of 10 mouse-like rodent species are registered and investigated. The features of diet of 3 ecologically closed rodent species (Microtus arvalis, Terricola subterraneus, and Myodes glareolus) are studied. The dynamics of abundance and age-sexual pattern of rodent populations were studied during the seasons. It was shown, that the vertical zoning of vegetation is a determining factor in formation of pattern of communities of mouse-like rodents, at the same time the species composition depends on the type of plant association. Biotope preference of species and pattern of species similarity in communities were studied. Species richness and taxonomic diversity of mouse-like rodents in different biotopes was analysed. The high level of species diversity is characteristic to the following 3 biotopes: meadows, glades, and mixed (beech and fir) forest. According to the index of taxonomic diversity, highly places are occupied by 3 next biotopes: hornbeam-beech, beech, and mixed forests. Complexity of communities is estimated and most representative by biodiversity biotopes are defined. High biotope differentiation of species and biotope diversity of ecosystem of NP "Skolivski Beskуdу" determinate the high level of species diversity of fauna communities.