Common Water Shrew
Status: Category VI, Near Threatened, NT: R. A rare species for Kyrgyzstan, found on the periphery of its range. The only representative of the genus in Kyrgyzstan.
General distribution and in the country. Europe, Caucasus, Siberia, northern part of Kazakhstan. In Kyrgyzstan, it has been found in the Kungei and Teskei Ala-Tuu ridges (Jilandy area), in the Issyk-Kul basin (around the city of Karakol, villages of Tyup, Ottuk, Tuur-Suu, Turgen River, Aksu), in the Chui Valley (around the city of Tokmak) and the Kyrgyz Ridge (Chon-Kurchak area), in the Suusamyr Valley.
Habitat. Shrub-forest biotopes near lakes, rivers, and marshy areas from valleys to the alpine belt.
Population. Very few individuals. In the Jilandy gorge (Teskei Ala-Tuu ridge), 2 individuals were caught over 20,650 trapping cylinder-nights in 3 years; in the Kyrgyz ridge, 6 individuals over 200 trapping cylinder-nights in 2 years.
Life style (life cycles). Active year-round, nocturnal. The diet mainly consists of invertebrates. Breeding season is from March to July, with up to 7 embryos recorded. For the European part of its range, the gestation period is about 28 days, and the breeding period does not exceed 3-3.5 months.
Limiting factors. Transformation of suitable habitats into agricultural lands. Breeding (keeping in captivity). Not conducted.
Existing conservation measures. None provided.
Recommended conservation measures. Associated with the protection of wetland habitats and floodplain vegetation. Assessment of population numbers and distribution, identification of limiting factors.
Suu Chychkan
Eurasian Water Shrew
Neomys fodiens (Pennant, 1774)
Status: Category VI, Near Threatened, NT: R. Rare species in Kyrgyzstan. Dwells in Kungei, Teskei, and Turgen Ak-Suu Ala-Too ridges, next to Karakol town, Tyup and Ottuk villages of Issyk-Kul oblast, in Chu valley, Kyrgyz Mountainous Ridge, and Suusamyr Valley. Prefers forest biotopes next to lakes, rivers, and marshes up to the alpine belt. Stocks are very low. Only 2 shrews were caught per 20,650 cylinder-days/nights in Teskei Ala-Too, and 6 animals per 200 cylinder-days/nights for 2 years in Kyrgyz Ridge. Active throughout the year, nocturnal, feeds on invertebrates, but no detailed data available for Kyrgyzstan. Breeding season from March to July, females have up to 7 embryos. Limiting factor is economic development of habitats and transformation into agricultural fields. No cases of captive breeding in Kyrgyzstan. No specific protection measures have been undertaken. It is recommended to protect wetlands, floodplain habitats, determine exact numbers, and explore other limiting factors.