Distribution and Current Status of the European Souslik (Spermophilus Citellus L.) in Sofia Valley and the Adjacent Areas

ABSTRACT

In the last decades the situation of the European souslik in Bulgaria is undergoing substantial changes towards reduction of inhabited territories and extinction in a number of formerly inhabited areas, which respectively changed its conservation status. At the same time, there is a definite shortage of detailed data concerning the situation of this species in many regions of the country. The present research determines the species ' situation in the study area—Sofia valley and its adjacent territories. A distribution map of the species is elaborated, and the distribution changes dating from the middle of the past century till present day are analyzed. An assessment of the contemporary population status in the study area is made, based on relative population density and on the sizes of inhabited areas. The data obtained allowed the potential risk factors to be estimated and a number of measures for monitoring and protection of the species to be proposed.

Keywords:

• distribution
• population density
• Sofia valley
• Spermophilus citellus