Characteristics of the contact zone of three chromosome races of the common shrew Sorex araneus L. (Mammalia) as indices of interpopulation competition

• Published in: Russian journal of ecology Vol. 41; no. 6; pp. 519 - 523
• Main Authors: Orlov, V. N, Borisov, Yu. M, Irkhin, S. Yu, Kovaleva, A. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01.11.2010; SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal populations; Biomedical and Life Sciences; chromosome races; Chromosomes; common shrew; contact zones; Ecology; Environment; Habitats; interpopulation competition; karyotyping; Life Sciences; Mammalia; Mammals; Sorex araneus; the Valdai Heights; Russia; interpopulation competition; chromosome races; karyotypes; the Valdai Heights; contact zones; common shrew
• ISSN: 1067-4136; 1608-3334
• DOI: 10.1134/S1067413610060093

The distribution of three chromosome races (Moscow, Western Dvina, and Seliger) of the common shrew Sorex araneus L. in the zone of contact between their ranges in the Valdai Heights (32°00′ E, 57°00′ N) is discussed. The area co-inhabited by all the three races is extremely small. Representatives of all the three races have been captured on only one trap line, although there are no obstacles to the expansion of shrews. The extremely small area co-inhabited by the three races, as well as the strictly parapatric distribution of the Moscow and Western Dvina races, may be related with competition forms such as avoidance of contacts and separation of ecological niches.