Non-volant mammal inventory of western Mongolian-Manchurian Grassland Ecoregion: a biogeographic crossroad worth preserving

By

Augugliaro, Claudio
Worsøe Havmøller, Rasmus
Monti, Ibra E.
Worsøe Havmøller, Linnea
Janchivlamdan, Choikhand
Badamjav, Lkhagvasuren

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2020-3-20

Original Publication

Check list : journal of species lists and distribution

Volume

16

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

287--301

Subjects

Biodiversity , camera trapping , live trapping , mammal checklist , Mongolian steppe , range expansion , species distribution

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

[São Paulo, Brazil] Luís Felipe Toledo 2005-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15560/16.2.287

 

Abstract

The extensive Mongolian grasslands hosts a high variety of micro-habitats which wildlife uses as corridors that enable species to expand their range. Between May 2017 and March 2018, we conducted an intensive survey in the Mongolian-Manchurian Grassland Ecoregion using camera trapping, field transects, live trapping and opportunistic observations, in mountain outcrops, grass steppe and sand dune habitats across seasons. Our aim was to compile the first satisfactory inventory of mammals based on scientific methods for a diverse landscape in the Mongolian provinces of Tov and Dundgovi. Furthermore, our research seeks to fill in knowledge gaps on species distribution and range expansions in the endangered west Mongolian-Manchurian Grassland ecoregion and identify biodiversity hotspot areas encompassed in this biogeographic crossroad. We recorded 31 species of non-volant mammals, including a globally Endangered species and two Near Threatened species, according to the IUCN Red List, and three species listed in Appendix II of CITES.