DISTRIBUTION OF MYOMORPH RODENTS OF THE ALTAY MOUNTAINS

Based on the data bank of the Laboratory of Zoological Monitoring at the Institute of Animal Systematics and Ecology, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, obtained using different methods of accounting, the spatial distribution of myomorph rodents of the Altay Mountains was analyzed, and the influence of differences in the data collection method appkied on the final result of the study was assessed. For this purpose, four variants of calculations were performed: (1) based on the data of unstandardized trapping using the route method of survey of the territory; (2) standardized counts at stations using lines of traps; (3) standardized counts at stations using standard grooves with 5 trap cylinders; (4) based on the entire set of available data with a preliminary recalculation of the abundance of rodents per km². Based on the results of the calculations, 4 classifications were compiled according to the degree of similarity in the spatial distribution of species. A comparative analysis of these classifications led to expected conclusions. The results of standardized and sufficiently large-­scale catches using trapping grooves and traps provide better and more similar results than when applying unstandardized trapping which is due to the longer time of their operation in stationary conditions of data collection. However, the species composition of rodents is most fully revealed when catching with trapping grooves. This method revealed 27 species, while both options of catching with traps revealed only 21 species each. The use of trapping grooves is also preferable because the same costs accumulate information not only concerning rodents, but also on insectivorous mammals. A joint analysis of material collected in different ways gives fairly high estimates of information content, since traps can be placed where it appears impossible to dig trapping grooves or install fences, for example, inside buildings or in rocky outcrops. The information content of classifications for all methods of catching and data volumes is comparatively high everywhere.