The studies were performed in the period 2008-2015 in orchards from the central part of the Republic of Moldova and Bacău County, Romania. In both areas 12 species rodent were registered, of which in central Moldova orchards the species R. norvegicus and P. subterraneus were not registered, while in Bacau orchards the species A. uralensis, M. rossiaemeridionalis and D. nitedula weren’t recorded. In CM orchards the dominant species was M. rossiaemeridionalis with about 30%, followed by A. sylvaticus and A. flavicollis. In BC orchards the dominant species was A. flavicollis with more that 41%, followed by A. sylvaticus and M. arvalis.The analysis of demographic structure in spring period showed a high proportion of reproductive females in all species, being the highest at M. rossiaemeridionalis in CM orchard and in A. flavicollis in BC orchard. The share of young individuals constituted up to 40% depending on the species being the highest at M. rossiaemeridionalis in CM orchard and in A. flavicollis in BC orchard. A significant difference in the area of the individual sectors of M.rossiaemeridionalis males and females in the orchard in summer (t = 3.46) and autumn (t = 3.39) was established, as well as for A. sylvaticus in the spring and summer period (t = 2.06; 2.03), and for A.uralensis in spring and autumn (t = 2.99; 3.44).

Introduction. Many rodent species are important pests for agriculture and for urban areas. The long-eared owl is a predator that exerts constant pressure on rodent density. Material and methods. The studies were performed in winters of 2011-2013 in the cities of Chisinau and Bacau, where 599 and 82 pellets of Asio otus were collected, respectively. The prey items were identified from cranial bones extracted from pellets. Results. Long-eared owl's diet in both sites consists of mammals and birds, with rodents being the dominant trophic component. The Microtus species were the main prey with the abundance ≥70% in both sites. In Chisinau a high proportion of Mus species was registered in the diet. The total biomass of prey constituted 43 953 g in Chisinau and 7 038 in Bacau. The highest biomass belongs to Microtus species, with 31 710 g and 5 220 g, respectively. The trophic niche width in Chisinau constituted 0.089 and varied monthly from 0.058 to 0.28. In Bacau the WTNs was of 0.134 and varied slightly among the study months. Conclusions. The rodents were the main trophic source and constituted ≥96% in both sites. The prey diversity was higher in Chisinau, that was due to a larger city territory and to a higher number of wintering long-eared owls. The close values of trophic niche width in Chisinau and Bacau confirmed the high hunting specialization of the long-eared owl.

The studies were performed in 2017- 2021 in various types of ecosystems from the area Cricova-Goian of Ichel river basin. 45 species of mammals were registered: one hedgehog species, 5 species of Soricomorpha, 12 bat species, 18 rodent species, one hare species, 6 carnivorous species and 2 artiodactyl species. The multiannual dynamics of bat communities in Cricova and Goianul Noi stone mines was assessed. The rodent species were the most numerous and spread in the ecosystems of the studied area. 14 species are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Moldova.

Introduction. Airport territories are large, containing a high variety of biotopes, mostly open type, and are relatively protected against intense human activity, thus creating favorable conditions for many mammal species that serve as trophic source for many bird species. Material and methods. The studies were performed during 2012-2014 on the territory of Chisinau airport and within the adjacent ecosystems. The mammals were recorded by direct observations, based on traces and trophic activity on routes ranging from 1 to 3 km. The small mammals were assessed with traps. The bat species were identified according to their flight pattern and using the ultrasound detector. Results. In the airport, 31 species of mammals were registered: 5 insectivore species, 7 bat species, 14 rodent species, 1 hare species and 4 carnivorous species. The most widespread, common and abundant were the rodents and the fox. Among small rodent species, the most abundant was Apodemus sylvaticus with 51.6%, followed by the Microtus arvalis (38.9%), while on the airport grassland, the field vole dominated with more than 60%. The diet of Athene noctua included predominantly Mus musculus with over 51%, followed by M. arvalis with 23.7%. 7 species are rare and 5 protected – bicolor shrew and 4 bat species. Conclusions. The airport territory and adjacent ecosystems provide favorable conditions for many mammal species. The presence of rodents favors the occurrence of rather high number of prey birds, which represent a threat for the safety of aircraft flights. The fox can pose direct threat to flight safety.

The study of the diversity of the parasite fauna in the investigated foxes showed a high level of infestation (100%). The taxonomy of parasitofauna in foxes includes 12 parasitic invasions (Isospora canis – 14,3%, Alaria alata – 51,0%, Mesocestoides lineatus – 21,7%, Taeniidae spp – 27,0%, Syphacia obvelata – 17,0%, Strongyloides stercoralis – 13,3%, Toxocara canis – 59,0%, Toxascaris leonina – 65,5%, Ancylostoma caninum – 8,7%, Trichuris vulpis – 26,1%, Trichuris muris – 4,4%, Capilaria hepatica – 35,0%), which belong to 5 classes, 10 families, 11 genera and about 12 species. The share of species from the Sporozoa class is 8.3%, from the Trematoda class - 8.3%, from the Cestoda class - 16.7%, from the Secernentea class - 41.7% and from the Adenophorea class - 25.0%. Analyzing the parasitic species on epidemiological criterion, it was found that 10 species (83.3%) with large spread have zoonotic impact (A. alata, M. lineatus, Taenia spp., S. obvelata, S. ratti, T. canis, T. leonina, A. caninum, C. hepatica, T. vulpis) with a major risk to public health, and the identified invasions (100%) can parasitize domestic animals, as well as game fauna.