Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 150510512

The genetic structure, distribution and habitat preferences of Armenian birch mouse

The Armenian birch mouse is one of the most rare species of mammals in Eurasia. There was only one locality of the species known - the type locality (near the village of Hanqavan in the valley of Marmarik river). It was found and described from this place in 1986. After this time there was absolutely no information on the species.

In 2012 Armenian  zoologists tried to intesively search for the Sicista but failed to find it.

Finally, our team (M.Rusin and A. Martynov) came to Armenia to find the species and we combined our efforts with local specialists (A.Ghazaryan, T.Hayrapetyan and G.Papov) who failed to find Sicista earlier.

We worked in late June - July 2015. First we intensively surveyed the type locality and different parts of Marmarik valley. Nothing! Then we decided to survey other parts - Aragatsotn region, exactly Buzhakan and southern slopes of Aragats Mountain. Again nothing.

Then we visited areas around Sevan and Dilizhan. And finally at Sevan pass at elevation over 2km above sea level we found Sicista armenica. It was a single female, perhaps, gestating. We released it back to the trapping site. After several days of trapping in this locality we haven't found any more specimens of this extremely rare species.

 Due to our experience the habitat suitable for Armenian birch mouse is also very rare in the region. Most slopes of the Armenian Plateau are covered with dry vegetation, while Sicista prefers wet high grass vegetation.

 Based on our observations Sicista armenica currently qualifies for Critically Endangered B2a+biv.