New data on rare shrew species (Soricidae, Mammalia) distribution and biology in Belarus

Authors

  • Vasilij V. Grichik Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6274-0165
  • Aliaksandr V. Balash Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Aliaksandr V. Rak Berezinsky biosphere reserve, Domzhericu Village 211188, Liepeĺ District, Viciebsk Region, Belarus
  • Alexandr M. Springer Berezinsky biosphere reserve, Domzhericu Village 211188, Liepeĺ District, Viciebsk Region, Belarus

Keywords:

Soricidae, fauna, trapping methods
Supporting Agencies
The authors are grateful to V. N. Viktorovich, D. V. Zhuravlev, M. N. Koloskov, and P. V. Veligurov, graduates of the faculty of biology, Belarusian State University, for their help in collecting material for this work.

Abstract

New data on the range borders in the Republic of Belarus based on the collecting in 1990 –2018 are given for four shrew species, Taiga Shrew (Sorex isodon), Miniscule Shrew (S. minutissimus), Southern Water Shrew (Neomys anomalus) and Bicolored Shrew (Crocidura leucodon). Published data on the local distribution of these species were critically analyzed. The only known locality for the Miniscule Shrew is the Berezinsky biosphere reserve, where one extra specimen was collected in the autumn of 2018. The presence of Taiga and Southern Water Shrews was confirmed for the same locality, but several additional Belarusian localities are also reported for the latter species. Eleven individuals of the Bicolored Shrew were collected in September – October 2018 near Baranavichy, Brest Region, about 75 km northeast of the nearest known locality in this region. Data on the habitat connections of these species are given as well as on morphometrics and molt of Bicolored White-toothed Shrew. A new shrew trapping method with modified trapping cylinders baited with apple vinegar developed and tested by the authors is described.

Author Biographies

  • Vasilij V. Grichik, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    doctor of science (biology), full professor; head of the department of general ecology and methods of biology teachning, faculty of biology

  • Aliaksandr V. Balash, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliežnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    senior lecturer at the department of zoology, faculty of biology

  • Aliaksandr V. Rak, Berezinsky biosphere reserve, Domzhericu Village 211188, Liepeĺ District, Viciebsk Region, Belarus

    researcher

  • Alexandr M. Springer, Berezinsky biosphere reserve, Domzhericu Village 211188, Liepeĺ District, Viciebsk Region, Belarus

    researcher

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Published

2020-09-12

Issue

No. 2 (2020): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Biology

Section

Zoology

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How to Cite

Grichik, . V. V. ., Balash, A. V. ., Rak, A. V. ., & Springer, A. M. . (2020). New data on rare shrew species (Soricidae, Mammalia) distribution and biology in Belarus. Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, 2, 58-65. https://doi.org/10.33581/2521-1722-2020-2-58-65