Finds of the fat dormouse (Glis glis) in cave-type shelters in the Middle Dnister Region

The Middle Dnister Region (left bank and right bank of the Dnister from the mouth of the Zolota Lypa River in the northwest to the mouth of the Zbruch River in the southeast) has a complex geological structure and richness of geomorphological forms: limestone, gypsum and sandstone outcrops, travertine rocks and forms of karst origin. This determines the richness of the fauna of troglophilic species. This report presents cases of observation of the fat dormouse in cave-type shelters, both natural (karst caves, cavities in the outcrops of Albian and Cenomanian limestones and travertines) and artificial origin (abandoned basements, stone foundations, etc.). These facilities provide animals with shelters for rest and reproduction. They are usually located on hard-to-reach steep slopes in canyon-like river valleys, where the level of disturbance of animals during various phases of their daily activity and annual life cycle is minimized. An important factor in the existence of populations of the studied species is the combination between complex geomorphological objects that provide shelters and a rich forage base. This is determined by the presence of forest and other tree and shrub vegetation, which includes nut species (hazel, wild walnut trees, beech) and berry and stone species (turf, viburnum, black viburnum, cherry, thorn, barberry). The information presented here on records of the fat dormouse (Glis glis) is not the result of purposeful research but it was accumulated in the process of describing geomorphological objects. Further research using special techniques and appropriate instrumentation would allow us to expand our understanding of the ecological requirements of the fat dormouse to the conditions of existence, which would be the scientific basis for environmental management of this species. However, current data on 13 records at 11 sites also provide clarity on the use of shelters by dormice.