The fauna, ecology and zoogeography of mammals in Valdai lakeland: retrospective and current status

A revision of modern mammal fauna of the Valdai Lakeland is carried out. Its full list is provided. Transformations of theriofauna and zoogeography from 1930s to the present day are analyzed. The results of the ecological research of the last decades, including winter monitoring data on large mammals, are presented. New information about sibling species and intraspecific forms of Rodentia and Eulipotyphla was obtained by the modern genetic techniques. These data confirm the important role of the last glaciation in the fauna and species formation. The current stage of theriofauna formation is characterized by the appearance of the new zoogeographical group of alien species. Alien species did not only increase the diversity of mammal fauna of the Valdai Lakeland, but also changed functioning of riparian ecosystems.