Distribution and abundance of the European mole (Talpa europaea L.) in the northern part of the Donetsk Region

• Main Author: Evgen Skubak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. National Museum of Natural History 2016-12-01
• Series: Праці Теріологічної школи
• Subjects: Donetsk Oblast; European mole; Talpa europaea
• Online Access: http://www.terioshkola.org.ua/library/pts14/pts14-33-skubak-talpa.pdf

Field studies on the European mole’s distribution in the northern part of the Donetsk region were conducted. Censuses were held on two regular routes during 2006–2016. The European mole is a sporadic and not abundant species in the studied area. Its population is stable and not threatened. Disjunctions of its range within the region are found. The population of the European mole is indigenous and it had been recovered from local refugiums. The expansion of the European mole in the northern part of the Donetsk region happened when spring floods on the Siversky Donets River had not occur. The main limiting factors of the mole population are climatic conditions affecting the feeding base, which may cause the animals’ death. In unfavorable years, the population density of the European mole does not decrease, but its range reduces. Additional field studies are required to clarify the European mole’s range southwards the floodplain of the Siversky Donets River.