Boeskorov G.G., Vinokurov V.N., Shchelchkova M.V., Boeskorov V.G. 2020. Cases of melanism in mountain hare (Lepus timidus) in Yakutia // Russian J. Theriol. Vol.19. No.1. P.79–84 [in English].
Gennady G. Boeskorov [gboeskorov@mail.ru], Diamond and Precious Metals Geology Institute, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Lenina 39, Yakutsk 677980, Russia; Mammoth Fauna Study Department, Yakutia Academy of Sciences, Prospect Lenina 39, Yakutsk 677007, Russia; Vladimir N. Vinokurov [vnvin@inbox.ru], M.K. Ammosov’s North-Eastern Federal University, Natural Sciences Institute, Kulakovskogo str. 48, Yakutsk 677013, Russia; Marina V. Shchelchkova [mar-shchelchkova@yandex.ru], M.K. Ammosov’s North-Eastern Federal University, Natural Sciences Institute, Kulakovskogo str. 48, Yakutsk 677013, Russia; Vladislav G. Boeskorov [gboeskorov@mail.ru], Mammoth Fauna Study Department, Yakutia Academy of Sciences, Prospect Lenina 39, Yakutsk 677007, Russia.
doi: 10.15298/rusjtheriol.19.1.08
ABSTRACT. Cases of melanism in the mountain hare Lepus timidus in the territory of Yakutia were analyzed. The highest frequency of this rare phenomenon was observed in the basin of the Vilyuy River, with at least nine cases over the last 50 years. It was proposed that this phenomenon was the result of increased mutagenesis in this territory, due to consequence of the features of the natural geochemical background and anthropogenic pollution.
KEY WORDS: melanism, mountain hare, Lepus timidus, mutagenesis, Yakutia.