Cold, hyperarid mountain ecosystems in Central Asia are largely unstudied, and standard studies of well-known phenomena often give surprising results. Here, we tried to look at long-tailed marmots (Marmota caudata) inhabiting a glacier valley in Eastern Pamir as keystone species, providing important resources for other groups of animals. We made several observations suggesting that marmot burrows are a unique habitat used in different ways by several groups of animals: arthropods, birds, and small mammals. Direct measurements showed that burrows maintain a stable temperature despite daily fluctuations outside, and have a much higher humidity. Using camera traps and a self-made endoscope camera, we found that burrows are inhabited by several arthropod species, and are used as shelter by birds and small mammals. Scat analysis showed that marmots were the main food source of predatory mammals inhabiting the valley. Similar observations have been previously made in other habitats. Using a camera trap, we recorded the use of burrows of unknown origin by Turkestan red pika (Ochotona rutila) or the large-eared pika (O. macrostis)—neither of which inhabit burrows. Despite their preliminary character, the results are a valuable insight into the ecological role of marmots in this type of environment.

Published online 4 March, 2024; Print publication 30 April, 2024