ИСТИНА

Despite the rather good knowledge of animal distribution patterns in Russia, one important gap remains on its zoogeographical map. It spans a very large mountain range extending along the shore of the Sea of Okhotsk - the Dzhugdzhur Range. The World's zoological collections retain only a pair of mammal and bird specimens from this range, which were incidentally collected by geodesists about a half a century ago (ZMMU, ZISP, Isakov, 1982). The main reason of this lack of knowledge is the inaccessibility of this entire area to conventional transport. The nearest helicopter airfield is situated more than 400 km away from the range; furthermore, the nearest large town is over 500 km away. Despite the above, the range, especially its southern part, is in need of a targeted survey for a number of reasons. It is expected that the southern part of Dzhugdzhur is inhabited by a number of species of conservation importance, for example, the locally endangered Siberian bighorn sheep Ovis nivicola. Currently, information about its distribution and status in the region is absent. Secondly, recently accumulated (largely unpublished) phylogeographic and genetic data indicate the existence of an important zoogeographical barrier somewhere within the region. Analysis of available information conducted by our research group allowed pinpointing one key area in the south of Dzhugdzhur Range which may constitute such a zoogeographical barrier. Coincidentally, this area is small enough to be surveyed within one field season. This place is situated in the junction of three great river basins: Maya River (western slope of Dzhugdzhur), Uchur River (washing Aldanskoye Nagorye) and Djana River (Okhotsk Sea basin). It is currently speculated that this area forms a dispersal barrier for a number of small mammal species: shrews Sorex roboratus, S. tundrensis, S. gracillimus, S. isodon, S. unguiculatus (Dolgov, 1985; Dokuchaev, 1999) and the root vole Microtus oeconomus. Our current study indicates that Dzhugdzhur Range forms a powerful barrier on the way of dispersion of genetic races of vole species from the genus Myodes (Abramson et al., in litt; Lissovsky et al., in litt). Several additional species form genetically divergent races confined to the basins of these rivers; these are the Siberian chipmunk Tamias sibiricus (Obolenskaya et al., 2009; Lissovsky et al., in litt) and northern pika Ochotona hyperborea (Lissovsky et al., 2007). One poorly known species of vole - Microtus gromovi - is known only from vicinity of this place (Bannikova et al., in press). The main task of the proposed project is to prepare a detailed faunistic and geobotanical description of this remote location. For this purpose, we are planning to organize a field survey expedition. The field study will include investigations in three sites separated by 10 km from each other. The sites are situated in three river basins (upper Maymakan River, upper Uchur River and upper Djana River). The duration of work in each site is 8 days. The study (collection of mammals, birds, or plant specimens and geobotanical descriptions) will be carried out using standard methods. Post-expedition study (analysis of morphology and genetics of mammals and birds) will allow us to perform detailed taxonomic assessment of the specimens and their resemblance to known genetic races. All voucher specimens collected in this expedition will be deposited in professionally curated institutional collections (Zoological Museum and Herbarium of Moscow State University). The principal results of the proposed study will be published within one year following the completion of field investigations. Suggested schedule of expedition: depart from Moscow to Khabarovsk by aircraft -- meet with the local guide -- move to Briakan village (the helipad) by bus -- fly to upper Uchur River by helicopter and perform field studies -- move to upper Maymakan River on foot and conduct field studies -- move to upper Djana River on foot, conduct field studies and await helicopter pickup - return to Briakan village by helicopter - return by bus to Khabarovsk - fly to Moscow. The study will be carried out by the expedition of the Zoological Museum of Moscow State University (ZMMU) led by Principal Investigator. The ZMMU is one of the oldest biological institutions in Russia and a regional leader in the area of biodiversity and zoogeographical studies. The members of the expedition team have worked together for several years. For many seasons the expedition has concentrated its efforts on studying the zoogeographical peculiarities of the eastern Palaearctic based on taxonomy, phylogeography and distribution of mammals and birds. The proposed project lies within the mainstream of research interests of all expedition members. The expedition team includes a local guide with a great experience - A. Bylkov, as a permanent member. The expedition possesses all necessary equipment to perform this research. Part of costs will be covered by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR); part of Subsistence Needs will be purchased by Zoological Museum. We are requesting NGS to cover our expenses on helicopter flights, as well as other transport costs and per diem allowance for the local guide (he is not formally affiliated with the Zoological Museum and thus is not eligible for per diem coverage under our RFBR grant). We do not need to cover Laboratory analysis because they are part of our Museum work.