Influence of Modern Climate Warming on the Terms of Basic Phenological Phases in the Population of Spermophilus pygmaeus Pallas, 1778 (Rodentia, Mammalia) on the Territory of the Yergenin Uplands

摘要

The results of a comparative analysis of the terms and duration of phenological phases in the population of the little ground squirrel in the central part of the Yergenin Uplands in the years 1926-1932, 1972-1982, and 2000-2015 are presented. It is noted that in the years 1926-1932 all the main phenological life phases of populations of the little ground squirrel took place exclusively during the spring-summer period (March-August). It is proved that in the period 2000-2015, under the influence of modern climate warming, the emergence of the population of the small gopher out of hibernation began to be noted during the winter months (January-February) compared to 1926-1932. The beginning and end of the pregnancy period was recorded between the first ten-day period of February and the third ten-day period of March. Accordingly, preparation for hibernation (fattening) of adult animals began to occur also at an earlier date (March, April) and ended mainly in May. The first appearance of young of the little ground squirrel on the surface and their dispersal began to take place in April-May. The mass hibernation of young ground squirrels was recorded in late June-early July. At the same time, a tendency to increase was noted in comparison with the period 1926-1932 of the total duration of the hibernation period of young animals (July-January or February). A decrease in the intensity of fodder migrations of adult ground squirrels to lowering of the relief was also noted.