Terrestrial Vertebrates Inhabiting the Northeastern Part of the Kanin Peninsula

This paper discusses the distribution of terrestrial vertebrates in the northeastern part of the Kanin Peninsula (67°50′47″ N, 46°20′40″ E) based on the results of their census conducted in July 2021. In total, 1 amphibian species, 1 reptile species, 57 bird species, and 6 mammal species have been recorded. The following bird species have been recorded in the tundra zone of the Kanin Peninsula for the first time: tufted duck (Aythya fuligula L.), common eider (Somateria mollissima L.), pallid harrier (Circus macrourus S.G. Gmelin), and common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos L.). A distinct feature of the vertebrate fauna inhabiting this region located in the low-growing dwarf-birch tundra belt is the presence of boreal species, including common frog (Rana temporaria L.), viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara Lichtenstein), tufted duck, common goldeneye (Bucephala clangula L.), Eurasian crane (Grus grus L.), common sandpiper, brown bear (Ursus arctos L.), and European elk (Alces alces L). So far, this is the northernmost known habitat of the viviparous lizard. The following factors are favorable for the presence of boreal species in this area: its location on the southern slope of the plateaulike Kanin Kamen Ridge and ruggedness of its relief, including deep river valleys with well-heated slopes protected from winds. It is established that the spatial density of the Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus L.) brood burrows has decreased ten times when compared with the 1940–1950s due to the activation of cryogenic processes in permafrost that destroy the burrows dug by this predator in loose soils.