Some Peculiarities of Biology of the Forest-Steppe Marmot M. kastschenkoi in Subtaiga Zone of Western Siberia (Tomsk Region)

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Master’s thesis
Some Peculiarities of Biology of the Forest-Steppe Marmot
M. kastschenkoi in Subtaiga Zone of Western Siberia (Tomsk
Region)
Katasonova P. A., student of Master’s Program “Biodiversity”
Supervised by: I. G. Korobitsyn, Candidate of biological sciences
June 03, 2024
Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Ecology
National Research Tomsk State University

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Fig 1. The forest-steppe marmot (M. kastschenkoi).
Source: the author.
Fig 2. Typical habitat of M. kastschenkoi in Tomsk Region.
Source: the author.
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Objectives and goals
Objective of this Master’s thesis is to expand
our understanding of the biology of one of
the most poorly studied species of rodents the forest-steppe marmot (M. kastschenkoi).
The object of the study is the forest-steppe
marmot (M. kastschenkoi) in sub taiga zone
of western Siberia (Tomsk region).
The subject of the study is the biology and
some of its peculiarities of M.kastschenkoi.
● Goals:
1. explore three found colonies of the forest-steppe marmot, create a map of the location of
burrows and colonies;
1. identify the number of marmots in each colony and the structure of their families;
2. use camera traps and in field observations to identify the daily activity of marmots;
3. identify threats to this species.
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Material and methods
Material was collected in the period from 04.10.2022 to
20.05.2024, during spring and summer months.
Colonies were explored by using route-visual method, data
was collected with Garmin GPS navigator. 3 colonies were
discovered, with a total of 166 burrows.
QGIS software was used for GPS data analyzing and
creating maps.
The nonparametric Mann-Whitney test in the Statistica 8.0
program was used to identify statistical differences in
distances between burrows within families and between
individual families
Fig 3. GPS data on burrow location in
Kolarovo colony. Source: the author.
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Material and methods
Camera traps (9 pieces) were used for analyzing daily activity and family structure.
Field observation method was carried out with binoculars, from observation points and a distance of 30100 meters.
In total, we completed 6 days of field observations and 21 day of observations using a camera trap.
Fig 4. Process of camera trap installation.
Source: the author.
Fig 5. Observation point in Kolarovo colony.
Source: the author.
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Results
Fig 6. Combined map of locations of the colonies and burrow distribution in each colony,
created in QGIS. Source: the author.
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Results
Table 1. General information about studied colonies.
Fig 7. Kolarovo colony
Colony
Number of Square of the Number of Number of
burrows
colony (ha)
families
individuals
Kolarovo
36
0.63
2
9
Luchanovo
26
0.22
3
3-4
Larinsky
104
1.85
4-6
up to 25
Fig 8. Luchanovo colony
Fig 9. Larinsky colony
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Results
Fig 10. Family structure of Kolarovo colony.
Source: the author.
Fig 11. The whole Family 1 from Kolarovo colony
captured on camera trap, 09.05.2023. Source: the author.
The distanses between intrafamily burrows were
significantly lower than distances between families
(Z = -2.12; P<0.05).
This family of forest-steppe marmots consists of
the adult male and female and two-year-olds
(juvenile) and underyearlings (pups of the year).
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Results
Fig 12. The average daily activity of M. kastschenkoi on the
example of Kolarovo colony.
Time when
marmots
emerge on
the surface
Length of
feeding
(at least one
marmot on
the surface)
Time spent
in burrows
(no marmots
seen on the
surface)
Time of
going to
sleep
Data of
Laptev and
Yudin, 1952
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from 10 to
12,
from 16 to
19-20
from 12 to
16
19-20
Data,
obtained
during our
research
7:50
9:50 - 20:50
-
21
Table 2. Comparison of daily activity data made by Yudin and
Laptev (1952) and during our research (2024).
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Results
Fig 13. Time spent on different behaviour among young
marmots on the example of Kolarovo colony, field
observation, 12.05.2023.
Fig 14. Time spent on different behaviour among adult
marmots on the example of Kolarovo colony, field
observation, 12.05.2023.
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Results
Natural threats to M. kastschenkoi:
● birds of prey
● wild dogs
● foxes
Fig 15. Fox is visiting burrows in Kolarovo colony,
08.05.2023. Source: the author.
Anthropogenic threats to M. kastschenkoi:
● enduro motorcycles/ATV’s
● recreation
● birch sap collecting
● gold mining
● domestic dogs
Fig 16. Dog in a collar is walking with its owner in
Kolarovo colony, Source: the author.
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Recommendations
Conduct a fundamental research about the degree of influence of anthropogenic factors on the
habitat of animals, taking into account disturbance factors.
Find out the reasons for the increase or decrease in morbidity, birth rate, mortality and the
influence of all these processes on the age-sex structure of populations and on the number of
animals.
Strengthen actual protection and ensure strict compliance with the protective regime in all studied
territories, especially in “Bank slope of the Tom River” reserve to reduce the anthropogenic load
on these area.
Pay great attention to the ban on enduro motorcycles and ATVs in all these protected areas.
Refrain from developing gold deposits in the territory of the Larinsky reserve or on its borders.
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Dear members of State Defence Committee, dear colleagues,
thank you for your attention!
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