The role of long-tailed marmot (Marmota caudata Geoffroy) in diet of predatory mammals and birds in Pamir. Rol’ krasnogo sourka (Marmota caudata Geoffroy) v pitanii khichtchnykh mlekopitaiuchtchikh i ptits Pamira. [Rôle de la marmotte à longue queue (Marmota caudata Geoffroy) sur le régime alimentaire des mammifères et oiseaux prédateurs du Pamir].

Résumé

The long-tailed marmot in Pamir enters into a diet of the 5 species of predatory mammals (Canis lupus, Vulpes vulpes, Felis lynx, Uncia uncia, Ursus arctos) and 7 species feathery predatory (Aquila chrysaetos, Haliaeetus leucoruphus, Haliaeetus albicilla, Accipiter gentilis, Gyps fulvus, Aegypius monachus, Gypaetus barbatus). The mainest enemies of a species are the wolf and the fox. The rests of the long-tailed marmot have been found out by us in 55 (n=38) excrement of the wolf. Habitats in summer season of a snow leopard in Pamir cover the top limit of distribution of the long-tailed marmot, last serves for a leopard as additional forage. ln area of pass Hargush and Southern-Alichur range (Zorkul reserve) we recorded 3 cases of excavation of marmots' burrows by a brown bear. However number of brown bears in Pamir insignificant also do es not cause an essentialloss to resources of the long-tailed marmot. The big influence on populations of marmots is rendered by the shepherd's dogs. ln Pamir region within the habitat limits of a red marmot about 1200 shepherd's dogs are kept to protect cattle. According to the statement of shepherds after awakening marmots from hibernation each dog daily catches on 1-2 marmots. The shepherd's dogs and wolves cause remarkable damage to population of the long-tailed marmot during first days of awakening from hibernation when they weak and behave carelessly. During 1996-2004 we register 44 cases of an attack ofbirds of prey on the long-tailed marmots, including Aquila chrysaetos - 22, Haliaeetus albicilla - 8, Haliaeetus leucoruphus- 12, Accipiter gentilis - 2. The greatest number of an attack of birds of prey on marmots is noted during May- June that coincides with the period of the greatest activity marmots. Successful hunters of marmots are the Aquila chrysaetos, Haliaeetus albicilla and Haliaeetus leucoruphus. Birds of prey for an attack on a colony of marmots choose narrow intermountain gorges where there are various sorts of heights for a dive. ln the end of summer (the end of August) basically young marmots become victims of birds of prey. The rests of the long-tailed marmot are found close to 3 nests of Aquila chrysaetos, 2 nests of Gypaetus barbatus and 2 nests of Gyps fulvus. Popularity of the rests of the long-tailed marmot in excrements of birds of prey is 62.3 %. Thus, the long-tailed marmot as a background species of high mountains of Pamir is an essential component of a trophic chain of predatory mammals and birds.