Nestbox grids in population studies of theCommon dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius L.): methodological aspects

• Autorzy: Juskaitis Rimvydas
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Two different nestbox grids have been used for studies of the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius L.) populations: high-density nestbox grids in small plots (e.g. 25-30 boxes ha^-1 in 1 ha plots) and low-density nestbox grids in large plots (e.g. 4 boxes ha^-1 in areas of 60 and 85 ha). The present study aimed to compare efficiency and suitability of 25 x 25 m and 50 x 50 m nestbox grids for studies of the common dormouse population, and to show limitations of small study plots in dormouse studies. Live trapping of dormice within nestbox grids proved that all dormice captured used nestboxes placed in both 25 x 25 m and 50 x 50 m grids. Regular control of nestboxes placed in the 25 x 25 m grid gave an opportunity to register all adult dormice living in the study site during shorter periods, and average dormouse capture rate was significantly higher compared to the 50 x 50 m grid. However the 25 x 25 m nestbox grid had one substantial drawback: high nestbox density (16 boxes ha^-1) increased environment carrying capacity for dormice in the forest, where natural hollows were almost absent. In consequence, adult dormouse density increased two to four-fold, while their home range sizes decreased by about half. Dormice are distributed irregularly in large forest areas, and the results obtained in small study plots may not reflect the average characteristics of the population. Some results obtained in small study plots (e.g. density, mortality) can be overestimated because of dormouse movements and edge effects. Predators, e.g. owls, can catch some dormice and substantially influence the results obtained in small plots. Because of the influence on dormouse population density and other population parameters, high density nestbox grids (e.g. 20 x 20 m, 25 x 25 m) should not be used in dormouse population studies. Small study plots (e.g. 1 ha) are completely unsuitable for estimation of such dormouse population characteristics as survival (mortality) and dispersal.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

common dormice; grid system; nestboxes

PL

Muscardinus avellanarius; orzesznica; populacja orzesznic

• Wydawca: Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Czasopismo: Polish Journal of Ecology
• Rocznik: 2006
• Tom: Vol. 54, nr 3
• Strony: 351--358
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 24 poz.,Rys., wykr.,

Twórcy

autor

Juskaitis Rimvydas

• Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University, Akademijos 2, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania

• Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University, Akademijos 2, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania,

Bibliografia

• Berg L., Berg Å. 1999 – Abundance and survival of the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius in a temporary shrub habitat: a trapping study – Ann. Zool. Fenn. 36: 159–165.
• Bertolino S., Viano C., Currado I. 2001 - Population dynamics, breeding patterns and spatial utilisation of the garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) in an Alpine habitat – J. Zool. Lond. 253: 513–521.
• Bondrup-Nielsen S. 1983 – Density estimation as a function of live-trapping grid and home range size – Can. J. Zool. 61: 2361–2365.
• Bright P.W., Morris P.A. 1990 – Habitat requirements of dormice Muscardinus avellanarius in relation to woodland management in Southwest England – Biol. Conserv. 54: 307–326.
• Bright P., Morris P. 2005 – The Dormouse. 2nd edition – The Mammal Society, London, 27 pp.
• Büchner S., Stubbe M., Striese D. 2003 – Breeding and biological data for the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) in eastern Saxony (Germany) – Acta Zool. Hung. 49 (Suppl. 1): 19–26.
• Flowerdew J.R. 1976 – Ecological methods - Mamm. Rev. 6: 123–159.
• Juškaitis R. 1997a – Ranging and movement of the common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius in Lithuania – Acta Theriol. 42: 113–122.
• Juškaitis R. 1997b – Use of nestboxes by the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius L.) in Lithuania – Natura Croatica, 6: 177–188.
• Juškaitis R. 2001 – Weight changes of the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius L.) during the year in Lithuania – Trakya Univ. J. Sci. Res. ser. B, 2: 79–83.
• Juškaitis R. 2002 – Spatial distribution of the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) in large forest areas and its relation with seed crop of forest trees – Mamm. Biol. 67: 206–211.
• Juškaitis R. 2003 – Abundance dynamics and reproduction success in the common dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius, populations in Lithuania – Folia Zool. 52: 239–248.
• Juškaitis R. 2004 . Local impact of the Tawny owls (Strix aluco) on the common dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) in Lithuania – Ekológia (Bratislava), 23: 305.309.
• Juškaitis R. 2005 . The influence of high nestbox density on the common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius population – Acta Theriol. 50: 43–50.
• Krebs Ch.J. 1999 – Ecological methodology. 2nd edition – Addison Wesley Longman, Menlo Park, California etc., 620 pp.
• Lihačev G.N. 1967 – Zaselenie iskusstvennyh gnezdovij orešnikovoj sonej (Muscardinus avellanarius L.) [Occupation of nestboxes by the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius L.)] (In: Èkologiâ mlekopitaûsih i ptic [Ecology of mammals and birds] Ed. K.V. Arnoldi) - Nauka Press, Moscow, pp. 67–79 (in Russian).
• Morris P.A., Bright P.W., Woods D. 1990 - Use of nestboxes by the dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius – Biol. Conserv. 51: 1–13.
• Panchetti F., Amori G., Carpaneto G.M., Sorace A. 2004 – Activity patterns of the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) in different Mediterranean ecosystems – J. Zool. Lond. 262: 289–294.
• Pielowski Z., Wasilewski A. 1960 – Haselmäuse in Vogelnistkästen – Z. Säugetierkd. 25: 74–80.
• Sara M., Casamento G., Spinato A. 2001 - Density and breeding of Muscardinus avellanarius L. 1758 in woodlands of Sicily – Trakya Univ. J. Sci. Res. ser. B, 2: 85–93.
• Schulze W. 1973 – Untersuchungen zur Biologie der Haselmaus (Muscardinus avellanarius L.) im Südharz – Arch. Naturschutz Landschaftforsch. 13: 107–121.
• Sorace A., Bellavita M., Amori G. 1999 – Seasonal differences in nest-boxes occupation by the dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius L. (Rodentia, Myoxidae) in two areas of Central Italy – Ecol. Mediterr. 25: 125–130.
• Woods D. 1996 – The use of nest boxes by the common dormouse in England (In: Schläfer und Bilche. Tagungsbericht 1. Intern. Bilchkolloquium, St. Oswald 1990, Ed. H. Müller-Stiess) – Verein der Freunde des Ersten Deutschen Nationalparks Bayerischer Wald e. V., Neuschönau, pp. 46–48.
• Woods D.E. 1997 – Nestboxes, captive breeding and re-introduction of the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) in England - Natura Croatica, 6: 199–204.