Barkaszi Z. Rodents of the superfamily Muroidea in the Ukrainian Carpathians: diagnostics, distribution, and diversity

The thesis is devoted to issues of diagnostics, distribution, and diversity of muroid rodents of the fauna of the region of the Ukrainian Carpathians. A detailed revision of diagnostic criteria of sibling wood mice (Sylvaemus) and “grey vole” (Microtus sensu lato) species has been carried out, based on the results of which regional diagnostic keys have been developed for identification of specimens. The superfamily Muroidea is represented in the region’s fauna by 19 species that form three altidutinal assemblages—montane, boreo-montane, and lowland—and an additional intrazonal assemblage. Indices of species richness and diversity decrease from the lowland to the subalpine zone. Primeval biotopes such as oak forests in the lowland and beech and spruce forests in the mountains support stable taxonomic structure of rodent communities with clearly dominating species and, respectively, are characterised by relatively low diversity indices. The basis for their conservation should be the protection of natural montane habitats, where the concentration of known records of these voles is the highest.