88 Enkhbold N, Dazhao Shi, Mongolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences №13 (02), 2014:88-95

STUDY ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT CHARACTERISTICSOF BRANDT’S VOLE

Enkhbold.N1, DazhaoShi2 ,Batsaikhan. N1 , Deng Wang2 ,Tseveendorj.D1, Erdenetuya.B1

1-Plant Protection Research Institute 2-College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University

E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT Many species have suffered changed habitable area due to recent climate change or/and human activities. Brandt’s vole (Lasiopodomysbrandtii) is same as it.The species is undergoing a continuous habitat change as a consequence of the human’s production, climate change and retrogressive succession of grassland ecosystems. The distribution of the Brandt’s vole was update in China and .Based on the historical distribution map, which was made by overlaying the historical data with vegetation type’s map of the grassland resources in China and Mongolia. And the distribution map was modified according to the on-site investigate data in recent years. The current species’ distribution was range Hulunbei’er, northern Xilinguole, which comprise a landscape through the east of DornodAimag, Mongolia, and southern Hunshandake Sandy Land in China which just includes the areas around the Zhengxiangbai Qi. There were no the species in the east of Daxinganling Mountains, Liaoning, Shanxi province and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. The species’ distribution is discontinuous in Mongolia, including western, middle and eastern Mongolia. The western distribution along Hangay Mountains and extends for the west, the northern boundary extended to between and Chulouk river. Southward reaches of the Malhin along the plain between Hangay Mountain and Altay Mountain. The middle and east of the species’ range lie in the part areas of Tov, Hentiy, Dundgovi, Dornogovi. extends to Hulunbei’er and northern Xilinguole eastwardly and southwardly respectively, northward reaches of the Trans-Baikalia, Russia.

KEY WORDS：Brandt’s vole, Geographical distribution, Habitat fragmentation, Changing Status

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INTRODUCTION Climate change and human activities have (Zhonget al.1991), which are interspersed with indirect effects on the geographic range for less favorable habitat due to low grazing many species through the sensitivity of habitat pressure by livestock (Luo et al. 1975; Zhonget or food supply to temperature and rainfall al. 1985; Zhonget al. 1999), the species is also (Iverson & Prasad 1998; McCarty 2001). some well-adapted to colonization of isolated, species have suffered reduced habitable area patchy, ephemeral habitats. In recent years, due to climate or/and human activities climate change and the human activities (Parmesan 2006). including overgrazing, land reclamation and Brandt’s vole, (Lasiopodomysbrandtii) is a digging herbs have caused the change of dominant rodent species of typical steppe ecological environment in grassland in China habitat that extends from the central part of (Li 1997; Li et al. 2001; Sun et al. 2010; Li et Inner Mongolia through the middle and east of al. 2009). For example, the area occupied by DornodAimag, Republic of Mongolia, to the heavily degraded grassland exceeded 60% of southern borders of Mongolia in Trans- the total in Xilinguole in 2007 (Li et al. 2007). Baikalia, Russia (Shenbrot&Krasnov Investigation of Brandt's vole distribution have 2005).Many works about its distribution have indicated that some habitats are now been done (Allen 1940; Vinogradova&Gromov permanently destroyed in some isolated sites, 1959; Shi 1988; Ma 1990; Cobet 1991; Dawaa particularly in the southern Taipusiqi area 2005). But some reports are not consistent with (Zhang et al. 1995), where we studied them others, and the habitats reduce have happened from 1992 to 2003, Since 2003, we have not in recent years. captured any voles there. It’s necessary to Otherwise, Brandt’s voles distribution is modify previous knowledge of Brandt’s vole discontinuous, they prefer degraded grasslands distribution for management of the species.

MATERIAL AND METHODS Make the historical distribution map (http://nomadicjourneys.com/about- Historical distribution map was drew on the mongolia/map-of-mongolia/vegetation-map), basis of the Brandt’s vole distribution in China The biggest overlap areas was regarded as the (Ma et al1990) and Mongolia (Enkhbold basal historical distribution. 1998, 2013), Shenbrot and Krasnov’s map Identify the distribution areas by trapping (2005) was also referenced, which were All available information of the species transform into digital data, and was overlaid distribution was collected from historical the geographic information system (GIS) layer references and specimenslocation data, map of China and map of Mongolia including the collected specimens district or (http://www.openstreetmap.org and GPS sites and the research district or GPS sites www.mapcruzin.com). Then overlaid the data about Brandt’s vole.These sites were input the with vegetation types map of the grassland basal distribution map in the GIS. Then select resources in China at scale 1:1,000,000 (Su the location in which field trapping should 1993; http://mapsof.net/china/static- taken. The surveying was carried out in the maps/jpg/china-natural-vegetation-map/full- sites according with the following rules: (a) size) and a ground vegetation types map of distribution data can be referenced, but the Republic of Mongolia at scale 1:1,000,000 vegetation cover are different to the habitat (Plant Protection Institute et al., 1998) selection of Brandt’s vole obviously. (b) the

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sites in which habitat was obvious changed vole, such as tweet, runs, burrows, as well as compare with the last references record. definite road traces were found. Line traps From 2004 to 2010, the main distribution was laid down to test and confirm the areas were investigated in Inner Mongolia of presence of the vole. Record the GPS date of China andthe middle and east of Republic of tapping sites, uploaded into the GIS map of Mongolia. For each selected sites, we the historical distribution map. Then get to the examined the signs of presence of Brandt’s current distribution picture of Brandt’s vole.

RESULTS Brandt’s vole main historical distribution Range, extended to the north of the Altay areas Mountain Range (Enkhbold 1998), the All historical distribution map of Brandt’s distribution area of SelengeAimag and vole show that the species mainly distributed Central Aimag are joined together on Mongolian plateau, range from 52°N to (Shenbrot&Krasnov 2005; Enkhbold1998 ). 41°N, and from 124°E to 92°E. But there are But the areas are separated in the picture of some different areas in different exhaustive Ñîêîëîâ and Îðëîâ (1980), and only maps (Shenbrot&Krasnov 2005; Shi 1988; distribute around Khangai Range Ma et al 1990; Ñîêîëîâ&Îðëîâ 1980; (Shenbrot&Krasnov 2005; Ñîêîëîâ& Enkhbold 1998). In China, the historical Îðëîâ1980). Westward, the distribution distribution areas include Hulunbei’er, extend to the frontier of Mongolia and Russia northern Xilinguole, southernHunshandake (Enkhbold 1998; Ñîêîëîâ& Îðëîâ,1980), it Sandy Land and East foot areas of Daxing' just extends westward to Kirghizia in anling Mountains (Fig.1). The main districts UvsAimag in Shenbrot and Krasnov’s map are in Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, (2005). In east Mongolia, Brandt’s vole Hebei province and Liaoning province distributes are over southern Kente, north of (Fig.1). And few reports think there is the East Gobi , Sukhbaatar and Dornod species in Shanxi province and Xinjiang provinces, the distribution extend northward Uygur Autonomous Regions in China (Table to Russia along the Uldz River basin, and 1), but it was not confirmed by other adjoined eastward Hulunbei’er and researchers. The best possible historical Xilinguole, in China. According to the rules distribution map was drew as in Fig.1. The of the biggest overlap areas between all references recorded Brandt’s vole in historical distribution data and the vegetation Mongolia showed the variety of the types map of Mongolia, the picture of basal distribution, especially in the middle and west historical distribution show as in Fig.1 of Mongolia. It is along the south of Khangai

Enkhbold N, Dazhao Shi, Mongolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences №13 (02), 2014:88-95 91

Figure. 1 The distribution of Brandt’s vole in China and Mongolia（According to Shenbrot and Krasnov 2005

Shi 1988; Ma et al. 1990; Ñîêîëîâ and Oðëîâ between steppe and meadow grassland in the 1980; Enkhbold 1998Note:In the pictures of west of Daxing’anling Mountains because of Brandt’s vole distributions by Ma et al. (1990), the vegetation (Shi 1988). Northward, the Mongolia was marked as People's Republic of boundary extends to Xiwuzhuer- Manzhouli Mongolia and Russia was marked as Soviet line in the north of the Haila’erriver, and Union. connects with areas. The Current distribution of Brandt’s vole and southeastern boundary reached Normankhan- the regional variation Xilinbel line. Xilinguole distribution zone Local investigation sites including Inner includes Sunitezuoqi, Abagaqi, Xilinhot, Mongolian Autonomous Region, Hebei Xiwuzhumuqinqi, Dongwuzhumuqinqi and province, Liaoning province in China and Keshiketengqi (around the Dalai Lake). This Töv, Uvörhangay, Arhangay, Bulgan, zone is connected to the east of Mongolia and Selenge, Hentiy, Dornod, Suhbaatar and the west boundary to the line between Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. Total 316 GPS Bayane’erdun and Sunitezuoqi. Southward, it sites were records, where the trap extends to the north of Hunshandake Sandy investigation were operated. And the west Land. eastward and northward, the boundary distribution data of Mongolia were supplied is to the line of Huanggangliang- by Mongolia Institute of Plant Protection. The Baorigasitaiguole-Wulagaiguole-Narengaole, results showed that the distribution have where are the boundary of between steppe changed a lot according to the field and meadow grassland (Shi investigation data from 2004 to 2010. 1988).Hunshandake Sandy Land distribution The current main distribution region of included Zhengxiangbaiqi, Zhenglanqi, Brandt’s vole in China are the dry grassland Duolun, south of Taipusiqi and the north of in eastern Hulunbei’er, Xilinguole and south Bashang grassland of Hebei province in the of Hunshandake Sandy Land. Hulunbuier last 20th century. Now, Brandt’s vole just be distribution zone includes Xinba’erhuzuoqi, found in some patches of Zhengxiangbaiqi. Xinba’erhuyouqi, Chenba’erhuqiEwenkeqi, where is small and isolated from others since Haila’er Area, and Manzhoulicounty. The the population monitoring in 2004 eastern boundary can’t exceed the border According to the ecological character of

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Brandt’s vole, vegetation is one of the main Brandt’s vole. The specimen in Jilin were factors that affect the distribution of Brandt’s collected from Huolingol located in Wulagai vole. In the steppe grasslands, the dominant River, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, plant areStipakrylovii, Artemisia frigida, where were devolved to Jilin province during Cleistogenessquarrosa,Carexduriuscula and 60s to 70s in the 20th century.And the climate Caraganamicrophylia in the habitat of the and vegetation in Xinjiang, Liaoning and species (Luo 1975; Shi 1986). In the semi- Shanxi are obvious different to the habitats desertification grasslands, The dominant plant surrounding of the species, and the views never is only Artemisia frigidain their habitat.In old be supported by the historical record book such northern Xilinguole distribution picture, it as Zoography of Xinjiang Rodent (Wang & included most area of Hunshandake Sandy Yang 1983), Shanxi Zoography (Fan & Liu Land southward and extends to Suniteyouqi 1996) and Fauna Sinica Mammalia (Luo et and Xianghuangqi westward. But where are al.2000). This vole maybe confuse with the semi-desertification and the vegetation didn’t mandarin vole (Lasiopodomysmandarinus) in suit Brandt’s vole according to the data from Shanxi and Liaoning provinces and the root Chinese grassland map (National Animal vole (Microtusoeconomus) in Xinjiang Uyghur Husbandry Service 2008). Autonomous Region. Although Hulunbuir and Xilinguole The distribution in Republic of Mongolia was distribution were isolated in Chinese divided into two disconnected parts: middle administrative map, Hulunbei’er distribution and eastern distribution and west distribution. included part of the Daxinganling Mountains The west boundary of middle and eastern and Hulun Lake between the Xilinguole and distribution is the east of Erdenesant – Hulunbei’er distributions in China, they were Bayanenzhule, it extends eastwardly along connected as a consecutive natural region with the Herlen River. Northward, the through Sukhbaatar and Dornod in the east of distribution of Sergelen and Hulunbuir’er in Mongolia (Fig.2). Dornod extends to Baikalia basin of Russia. Some references report Brandt’s vole And connected with Xilinguole distribution distributed in the middle part of Jilin province southward and Hulunbei’er distribution (Huang et al. 1995; Han et al. 2005; Wang eastward in China. The west distribution are 2003), Liaoning province (Wang 2003), around the Khangai Range, it extends Kangxiwa in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous westward along with the Khangai Range, Region (Huang et al. 1995; Han et al. 2005) reaches to the areas between mid-lower and Shanxi province (Plant Protection Station, valleys of Chuluut River and Ider River in the China Ministry of Agriculture, 1994). The north of Khangai Mountain. In the south foot species distribute in the east of Daxing'anling of Khangai Mountain, The west edgeof Mountains (near the Baicheng, Jilin province) distribution didn’t reach to the border of (Fig.1), where was concluded by the specimen Mongolia-Russia, the southern boundary is from the First Endemic Prevention Research along the north edge of Khangai Range. the Institute, Jilin (Table 1). local investigation northern boundary lies on the southern foot of were operated in the recorded distribution Altai Mountains. The gap belt between middle around Baicheng in 2005, there is no voles and eastern distribution and west distribution there. Otherwise, the grassland belongs to the was about 100km (Fig.2). agro-pasture ecotone, where didn’t suit

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Figure. 2 The current distribution of Brandt’s vole in China and Mongolia

DISCUSSION The main distribution of Brandt’s vole in China habitat has a clear characters of surroundings, is in eastern Inner Mongolia, where is mostly a it don’t enter the forest and desertification huge grassland. The climate is cool and dry, grassland (Liu 1979). So it is sound that annual average temperature ranges from -1 to overlaid the historical data with vegetation 10°C, and annual rainfall varies from 200 to types map of the grassland resources in 400 mm. The dominant plant species are China and Republic of Mongolia, and some Caraganamicrophylla, Cleistogenessquarrosa, distribution on the Khangai Range should be Stipakrylovii, Aneurolepidiumchinenseand modified (Fig.1, Fig.2). Although the Artemisia frigida(Wu et al. 2009). This vole is limitation of map scale bring on some stain interspersed with slightly developing which some unsuitable habitat patches were grasslands or areas subject to low grazing included in the historical distribution picture, pressures and are less suitable environments the result of field survey indicated most of the (Luo et al. 1975). The habitat is relative to the distribution can match the vegetation map well attributes of the plant community, especially and modified distribution is actual. the plant cover, species composition and height In recent years, human activities including of vegetation (Zhonget al. 1999). It prefer the overgrazing and land reclamation have resulted typical steppe with the Artemisia frigida, in the retrogressive succession of grassland Allium polyrhizum and Cleistogenessquarrosa, ecosystems (Li 1997; Li et al. 2001; Wang et and where vegetation cover is in the range 15- al. 2007). Climate change, in particular high 20% (Zhonget al. 1991). It slide over the temperature and aridity, has accelerated the surroundings which vegetation cover is less process of grassland degradation (Li et al. than 5%. There are almost no the species in the 2004; Li et al. 2007). That destroyed some grassland where are dominant plant species habitats of Brandt's vole, and caused the such as Carextristachya, fragmentation and reduce of the distribution Achnatherumsplendens or overgrown weeds (Wu & Li 2003). Comparing the current picture (Xilinguole Disease Control agency 1975).The (Fig.2) with historical distribution (Fig.1) of

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Brant’s vole, the tendency of habitat different with the habitats of middle and eastern fragmentation is clear. whole distribution of the distribution in Mongolia and Hulunbuier species has been parted into 2 areas. One part is distribution in China. And it different with that the west distribution of Mongolia, and another of the former. That may be a sign of is the middle and eastern of Mongolia disturbance of the species habitats. andHulunbei’er and Xilinguole of China. The The distribution of Brant’s vole is a result of south of Hunshandake Sandy distribution have species migrationand adapting to environment. diminished, our investigation have indicated It prefer the low vegetation height and cover that some patches are now permanently and the habitat are closely connected with plant destroyed in some isolated sites such as communities (Zhou et al. 1982), the type of Zhenglanqi, Duolun, south of Taipusiqi and the scattered distribution susceptible to interference north of Hebei province. Where belong to the by environment change and human activity. southern of Hunshandake distribution, and just Grazing and land reclamation causes little patches could be found in degradation of grassland on Mongolian plateau, Zhengxiangbaiqi now (Table1).The gap belt meanwhile, the rodents’ devouring and digging between middle and west distribution (Fig.2) activities aggravate the degradation of the resulted from large areas of grassland was grassland, that can lead ultimately to assarted for agricultural zone inSelenge and desertification. Where will not suitable to Aymang of Mongolia. Otherwise, Habitat Brandt’s vole. Along with the increase of fragmentation affected the population human activity in the grassland, the changes are ecological process in different patches. In the likely to continue in many regions. Overall, field, we found the sympatric species marmot local investigation evidence suggests that is in the grassland around , the obligatory to modify the distribution map of similar phenomenon also was found in the Brandt’s vole in a fine scale. north of Xilinguole, China. But it’s very

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