CHROMOSOMAL COMPLEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF MARTEN (MARTES FOINA NEHRINGI SATUNIN) IN THE NORTH CAUCASUS
This paper describes for the first time the chromosome set of stone marten in the North Caucasus from two disconnected points. The karyotype did not show polymorphism, both in number and morphology ofautosomes and heterochromosomes. In a double set contains 38 chromosomes. In addition, new data on distribution based on the cadastral map, which is compiled on karyologically dated material, taking into account the altitudinal-belt structure of mountain landscapes, is presented. Also, new materials on thedynamics of numbers taking into account the habitat, as well as current trends of anthropogenic changes in the structure of the stone marten habitat in the northern macro slope of the Central Caucasus. The studyshowed that stone marten is a very plastic species and can inhabit the territory of the northern macro slope of the Central Caucasus and that, in the presence of food and suitable shelters in almost all biotopes, including anthropogenic. The number of stone marten in the study area is highest in the forest-steppe andsubalpine zones.