Rodents (Rodentia) and lagomorphs (Lagomorpha) in north-western Lake Balkhash region

摘要

The materials collected by antiplague detachments in 1955-1994 are represented. Twenty three species of rodents and lagomorphs were found in north-western Balkhash Lake region. Distribution and numbers of all these species are briefly characterized. Meriones erythrourus Gray, Citellus erythrogenys Brand, and Ellobius talpinus Pall. are the most wide spread and numerous species. Allactaga jaculus Pall., A. elater Licht., A. sibirica Forster, Allactagulus acontion Pall., Cricetulus migratorius Pall. and Meriones tamariscinus Pall. also inhabit this area, but they are numerous only in separate plots. According to some peculiarities of distributing rodents five landscapeecological regions were distinguished in north-western Balkhash Lake region: semidesert coastal, transitional from desert to semidesert coastal, Alakol' desert, transitional from desert to semidesert-Karasai and Zhusandaly.