| Russian desman | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Talpidae |
| Genus: | Desmana |
| Species: | D. moschata[1] |
| Binomial name | |
| Desmana moschata[1] (Linnaeus, 1758) | |
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| Russian desman range | |
| Synonyms | |
Castor moschatusLinnaeus, 1758 | |
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TheRussian desman (Desmana moschata;Russian:выхухольvykhukhol') is a smallsemiaquatic mammal that inhabits theVolga,Don andUral River basins inRussia. Some authorities, citing old Soviet sources, claim the animal can be found in EasternUkraine and NorthernKazakhstan, but, as of 2020, the accuracy of such claims is disputed.[3] It constructsburrows into the banks ofponds and slow-movingstreams, but prefers small, overgrown ponds with abundance ofinsects,crayfish andamphibians. The Russian desman often lives in small groups of two to five animals, that are usually not related, and appears to have a complex (but largely unstudied) communication andsocial system.[citation needed]
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The Russian desman is one of two survivingspecies of the tribeDesmanini, the other being thePyrenean desman.[4] Despite its outward similarity tomuskrats (arodent), the Russian desman is actually part of themole familyTalpidae in the orderEulipotyphla. Like other moles, it is functionally blind and obtains much of its sensory input from the touch-sensitiveEimer's organs at the end of its long, bilobed snout. However, the hind feet are webbed and the tail is laterally flattened —specializations for its aquatic habitat. The body is 18 to 21 cm (7.1 to 8.3 in) long while the tail is 17 to 20 cm (6.7 to 7.9 in) in length. Easily the largest species of mole, it weighs 400 to 520 g (14 to 18 oz).[citation needed]
Decidedly rich and thick in nature, desman fur used to be highly sought after by thefur trade. In the Middle Ages, desmans were also hunted forcastoreum. Consequently, the Russian desman is now a protected species under Russian law. However, due toloss of habitat (farming),water pollution,illegal fishing nets, and the introduction of non-native species like muskrat, population levels continue to decline. In the mid-1970s, an estimated 70,000 desmans were left in the wild; by 2004, the figure was only 35,000.[5] Between 1929 and 1999, more than 10,000 desmans were released intozapovedniks and other protected territories in Southern Siberia and elsewhere with the view to expand their range.
According to a 2020 report, the number of desmans is estimated at 6,000.[3] From 2009 to 2011, the Don Basin rivers inSaratov Oblast were searched for Russian desman to evaluate if this environment was sustainable for the species. No evidence was found that the species lives in this area but if so, the population was very small. The limiting factors consist of global factors, interspecific processes, and new immigrating species in the river ecosystem.[6]
Russian desman provide comfort to themselves by grooming. More specifically, scratching with hind feet, washing, biting out of nails, and biting out of fur. The main reasons for these actions are supporting the air layer and heat-insulating properties of fur.[7]
Media related toDesmana moschata at Wikimedia Commons
Data related toDesmana moschata at Wikispecies| National | |
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