Alien mammals in ecosystems of eastern Ukraine: a history of research and appearance of species

Abstract

The paper presents a review of the history of investigations and formation of the adventive component of the mammal fauna in eastern Ukraine, mainly in the territory of the left bank of the Siversky Donets, within the area of the eastern part of Ukraine (Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv oblasts). Most of these territories are part of the steppe zone of Ukraine. They are characterised by such edge effects as depletion of the steppe fauna and emergence of azonal species. Throughout almost 170 years of mammal studies in the region, the research directions and the processes of fauna formation have changed. The goal of this paper is to review the history of research and the available data on the appearance and expansion of new for this region species. We distinguish several periods in the history of the formation of the adventitious component of the mammal fauna and in its research. First, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a gradual accumulation of knowledge about the fauna of those regions. At that time, the territories underwent essential transformations. The active usage of lands for agriculture started, and, as a result, the steppe was split into local, isolated ecosystems with insignificant virgin areas. In the middle of the 20th century, the study of ecology and economic importance of mammals gained the attention of researchers. During this period, the intensity and character of distribution of the species increased: from a moderate spread of micromammals as a result of agricultural development to a more intensive distribution of game species as a result of intentional introduction of animals or their escape from culture. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the question of alien species become more prominent. This issue drew the attention of many researchers, and adventive traits were described for various mammals. As a result of our study, we could outline the chronology of the appearance of alien species in eastern Ukraine, as well as the main patterns of their distribution. Historical data allows for concluding that a notable part of the local fauna was formed as a result of invasions and expansion, and these processes are still relevant in the modern period of fauna development. It was established that the changes in the local fauna is closely related to land transformations and shifts in human economic activity.