This is a list of the mammal species recorded in South Ossetia.This list is derived from the IUCN Red List which lists species of mammals and includes those mammals that have been classified as recently extinct (since 1500 AD). The taxonomy and naming of the individual species is based on those used in existing Wikipedia articles as of 21 May 2007 and supplemented by the common names and taxonomy from the IUCN, Smithsonian Institution, or University of Michigan where no Wikipedia article was available.

The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature: EX Extinct No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. EW Extinct in the wild Known only to survive in captivity or as a naturalized populations well outside its previous range. CR Critically endangered The species is in imminent risk of extinction in the wild. EN Endangered The species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. VU Vulnerable The species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. NT Near threatened The species does not meet any of the criteria that would categorise it as risking extinction but it is likely to do so in the future. LC Least concern There are no current identifiable risks to the species. DD Data deficient There is inadequate information to make an assessment of the risks to this species.

Some species were assessed using an earlier set of criteria. Species assessed using this system have the following instead of near threatened and least concern categories: LR/cd Lower risk/conservation dependent Species which were the focus of conservation programmes and may have moved into a higher risk category if that programme was discontinued. LR/nt Lower risk/near threatened Species which are close to being classified as vulnerable but are not the subject of conservation programmes. Lower risk/least concern Species for which there are no identifiable risks.

Order: Rodentia (rodents)

Suborder: Sciurognathi Family: Sciuridae (squirrels) Subfamily: Sciurinae Tribe: Sciurini Genus: Sciurus Caucasian squirrel, S. anomalus LC Subfamily: Xerinae Tribe: Marmotini Genus: Spermophilus Caucasian mountain ground squirrel, Spermophilus musicus Little ground squirrel, Spermophilus pygmaeus Family: Gliridae (dormice) Subfamily: Leithiinae Genus: Dryomys Forest dormouse, Dryomys nitedula LR/nt Subfamily: Glirinae Genus: Glis European edible dormouse, Glis glis LR/nt Family: Dipodidae (jerboas) Subfamily: Allactaginae Genus: Allactaga Small five-toed jerboa, Allactaga elater Subfamily: Sicistinae Genus: Sicista Northern birch mouse, Sicista betulina LR/nt Caucasian birch mouse, Sicista caucasica Kazbeg birch mouse, Sicista kazbegica DD Family: Cricetidae Subfamily: Cricetinae Genus: Cricetus European hamster, Cricetus cricetus Ciscaucasian hamster, Mesocricetus raddei Subfamily: Arvicolinae Genus: Chionomys Caucasian snow vole, Chionomys gud LR/nt Robert's snow vole, Chionomys roberti LR/nt Genus: Ellobius Transcaucasian mole vole, Ellobius lutescens Genus: Microtus Altai vole, Microtus obscurus Family: Muridae (mice, rats, voles, gerbils, hamsters, etc.) Subfamily: Murinae Genus: Apodemus Striped field mouse, Apodemus agrarius Yellow-breasted field mouse, Apodemus fulvipectus Black Sea field mouse, Apodemus ponticus Ural field mouse, Apodemus uralensis Genus: Micromys Harvest mouse, Micromys minutus LR/nt

Order: Erinaceomorpha (hedgehogs and gymnures) The order Erinaceomorpha contains a single family, Erinaceidae, which comprise the hedgehogs and gymnures. The hedgehogs are easily recognised by their spines.

Family: Erinaceidae (hedgehogs) Subfamily: Erinaceinae Genus: Erinaceus Southern white-breasted hedgehog, Erinaceus concolor

Order: Soricomorpha (shrews, moles, and solenodons)

The Soricomorpha are insectivorous mammals. The shrews and solenodons resemble mice. Family: Soricidae (shrews) Subfamily: Crocidurinae Genus: Crocidura Gueldenstaedt's shrew, Crocidura gueldenstaedtii Bicolored shrew, Crocidura leucodon Lesser white-toothed shrew, Crocidura suaveolens Tribe: Soricini Genus: Sorex Eurasian pygmy shrew, Sorex minutus Radde's shrew, Sorex raddei Caucasian pygmy shrew, Sorex volnuchini

Order: Chiroptera (bats)

The bats' most distinguishing feature is that their forelimbs are developed as wings, making them the only mammals capable of flight.

Family: Vespertilionidae Subfamily: Myotinae Genus: Myotis Bechstein's bat, Myotis bechsteini VU Lesser mouse-eared bat, Myotis blythii Geoffroy's bat, Myotis emarginatus VU Natterer's bat, Myotis nattereri Subfamily: Vespertilioninae Genus: Barbastella Barbastelle, Barbastella barbastellus VU Genus: Eptesicus Northern bat, Eptesicus nilssoni Genus: Nyctalus Greater noctule bat, Nyctalus lasiopterus LR/nt Lesser noctule, Nyctalus leisleri LR/nt Genus: Pipistrellus Nathusius' pipistrelle, Pipistrellus nathusii Genus: Plecotus Brown long-eared bat, Plecotus auritus Subfamily: Miniopterinae Genus: Miniopterus Schreibers' long-fingered bat, Miniopterus schreibersii LC Family: Rhinolophidae Subfamily: Rhinolophinae Genus: Rhinolophus Mediterranean horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus euryale VU Greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum LR/nt Lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros LC Mehely's horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus mehelyi VU

Order: Carnivora (carnivorans)

The majority of the species of carnivorans feed primarily on meat. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.

Suborder: Feliformia Family: Felidae (cats) Subfamily: Felinae Genus: Felis Wildcat, Felis silvestris LC Genus: Lynx Eurasian lynx, Lynx lynx NT Subfamily: Pantherinae Genus: Panthera Leopard, Panthera pardus LC Suborder: Caniformia Family: Canidae (dogs, foxes) Genus: Vulpes Red fox, Vulpes vulpes LC Genus: Canis Gray wolf, Canis lupus LC Family: Ursidae (bears) Genus: Ursus Brown bear, Ursus arctos Family: Mustelidae (mustelids) Genus: Mustela Stoat, Mustela erminea Steppe polecat, Mustela eversmannii European mink, Mustela lutreola EN Least weasel, Mustela nivalis Genus: Vormela Marbled polecat, Vormela peregusna Genus: Martes Beech marten, Martes foina Pine marten, Martes martes Genus: Meles Caucasian badger, M. canescens Genus: Lutra European otter, Lutra lutra NT Family: Phocidae (earless seals) Genus: Monachus Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus CR

Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)

The even-toed ungulates are ungulates whose weight is borne about equally by the third and fourth toes, rather than mostly or entirely by the third as in perissodactyls.

Family: Cervidae (deer) Subfamily: Cervinae Genus: Cervus Red deer, C. elaphus Subfamily: Capreolinae Genus: Alces Moose, A. alces extirpated Caucasian moose, A. a. caucasicus Family: Bovidae (bovids) Subfamily: Caprinae Genus: Capra Wild goat, C. aegagrus West Caucasian tur, C. caucasica East Caucasian tur, C. cylindricornis Genus: Ovis Argali, O. ammon Genus: Rupicapra Chamois, R. rupicapra

See also List of chordate orders Lists of mammals by region Mammal classification

Notes

References