The experience of ecological analysis of morphophysiological features in small mammals. Part 1. The general characteristics of internal features

Based on the multi-year research materials, the morphophysiological (internal) features of small mammals are studied. Small mammals are understood as a holistic and specific ecological group of animals, which due to its small size is characterized by the high level of metabolism and by the low level of individual resistance to adverse factors. The latter is compensated by the development of high group (population) resistance and effective adaptive reactions. The study of the specific character of the species’ energy metabolism, of the chemical thermoregulation and related patterns of morphophysiological reactions is based on the application of the method of morphophysiological indicators by S. S. Schwartz (1953 et al). As a result, we identified specific ways of small mammals’ adaptation to the life in conditions of constant thermal deficiency and poor nutrition conditioned by the northern periphery of the range.