Snowcock Tenraogallus altaicus (Gebler) of Altai Sayan mountain system: distribution and ecology

Due to the inaccessibility resulting in low-attendance of many areas the Altay-Sayan mountain system (Altai-Sayansk ecoregion) remains the reference biospheric wildlife reserve of a number of animal species, including birds. The site of the mountain system and its geographical isolation at insignificant anthropogenous influences predetermined the formation of specific avifauna with broad development of endemizm. The information on such birds which populations make a basis of a gene pool of this or that species not only in Russia, but also in scales of the whole planet is of special value, that is Altai ular Tetraogallus altaicus (Gebler). The distribution of this species is entirely connected with mountain areas of the Altai-Sayan mountain system which biotopical preferences are defined by the existence of rock formations, rockslides, boul-ders, snowfields on steep flanks of ridges. Altai snowcock is highly specialized species met in remote mountain districts in this connection is low-vulnerable. The snowcock generally settled species sometimes making insignificant vertical and horizontal movements within distribution area. The territory of the Republic of Tyva is refugium this species as the main part of an area settles down within mountain structures of the republic where the highest number of its populations is noted. Studying of features of distribution and biology of this species within mid-Siberian part of the Altai-Sayan ecoregion was carried out from 1976 to 2017 to nested and winter period, and also during spring and autumn movements in the territory of various mountain areas.