Distribution of long-tailed marmot, Marmota caudata in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan

The current survey was conducted on occurrence and distribution of long-tailed marmot, Marmota caudata, in Badakhshan Province, situated in the northeast of Afghanistan. Marmota caudata is one of the largest rodents in the cold desert habitats, and an important prey for endangered carnivores. Line transect method was used to collect specimens in the study area. A total of ۷۶۱ individuals of long-tailed marmot, were observed in this region during ۲۰۲۰ and ۲۰۲۱. The presence of marmots was recorded by direct observation and their symptoms. The results indicate all individuals were occurring in the areas between the snow line and the timberline to near livestock grazing area. The maximum number of observations was in Arghanjkhah with ۵۶ individuals (۷.۳% of all observations) and the lowest was in Kashim with ۵ (۰.۶%). The highest population density per districts was in Arghanjkhah (۱۱.۲±۲.۵ per Km۲) and the lowest was in Kashim (۱±۰.۲ per Km۲). Marmots were founded in all regions of Badakhshan with more abundance in eastern part of the province. This study was the first study on this species in the region and in Afghanistan.