Population variation of apodemus uralensis (Mammalia, Rodentia) in three variants of vertical zonation in the Central and Western Caucasus

Population structure and morphophysiological parameters of Apodemus uralensis in piedmont area under three variants of vertical zonation (elbrusskiy, terskiy and kubanskiy variants) in the Central and Western Caucasus (the northern macroslope) are studied. The relative numbers and population structure of Apodemus uralensis change in latitude: decrease in the population abundance, proportion of hibernating animals, reproduction degree (reduction in the number of breeding females) and fertility is found. Variation is registered in Apodemus uralensis piedmont populations in the Central and Western Caucasus, from east to west. It reveals increase of adrenal-, kidney-, and cardiac indices; and decrease of splenic and hepatosuprarenal indices.