Ranging and movement of the Common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius in Lithuania

Juškaitis, Rimvydas

doi:10.4098/at.arch.97-15

Cited by 34 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(11 reference statements)

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“…The distance between nestboxes was the same as for other studies on this species (Juškaitis 2008). We selected 40 m because several nest-boxes may then be included in an individual's home-range (Juskaitis 1997, Juškaitis 2006, increasing the chance of individual recapture. Further, higher density grids are not recommended for population ecology studies because more nest-boxes may influence population parameters (e.g., by increasing survival (Juškaitis 2006b).…”

Section: Dormice Demographic Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population and individual‐scale responses to patch size, isolation and quality in the hazel dormouse

et al. 2014

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Abstract. Patch size, isolation and quality are key factors influencing species persistence in fragmented landscapes. However, we still lack a detailed understanding of how these variables exert their effects on populations inhabiting fragmented landscapes. At which ecological scale do they have an effect (e.g., individuals versus populations) and, on which demographic parameters?Answering these questions will identify the mechanisms that underlie population turnover rather than solely predicting it based on proxies (e.g., presence/absence data).We report the results of a large-scale, three-year study focused on the relative effects of patch size, isolation and quality on individuals and populations of an arboreal rodent, the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). We examined 30 sites nested within three landscapes characterized by contrasting levels of habitat amount and habitat quality (food resources). We quantified the effects of patch size and quality on the response of individuals (survival and litter size) and populations (density and colonization/extinction dynamics). We identified demographic mechanisms which led to population turnover. Habitat quality positively affected survival (not litter size) and population density (measured through an index). We infer that the decline in survival due to patch quality reduced patch recolonization rather than increasing extinction, while extinction was mainly affected by patch size. Our findings suggest that the effect of patch quality on individual and population parameters was constrained by the physical structure of the surrounding landscapes. At the same time, our results highlight the importance of preserving habitat quality to help the persistence of entire systems of patches.

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Section: Dormice Demographic Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population and individual‐scale responses to patch size, isolation and quality in the hazel dormouse

et al. 2014

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“…Nest boxes, which represent artificial substitutes of tree hollows, are usually utilised by the species (Catzeflis 1984;Morris et al 1990;Sorace et al 1999;Juškaitis 2005). Although some researchers have described the general features of the habitat nearby the arboreal nests (van Laar 1979;Hurrell & McIntosh 1984;Bright & Morris 1991, 1992, only few studies have been made to quantify them (Juškaitis 1997;Berg & Berg 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest site preference of common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) in two different habitat types of Central Italy

Panchetti

Sorace²,

Amori

et al. 2007

Italian Journal of Zoology

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Nest site preference of common dormouse was studied in two different habitat types of central Italy: a mesophilous deciduous forest dominated by Fagus sylvatica, and a thermophilous deciduous oak wood with Quercus cerris and Q. pubescens. In each site, 50 nest boxes were fixed to trees and monitored monthly for two years (May 1998-April 2000. Moreover, in both study sites, 19 habitat variables were measured within a 3-m radius circular plots centred on each nest box. We hypothesised that specific habitat features may induce common dormice to choose a particular site for nesting. Therefore, we compared habitat variables, recorded at the neighbourhood of either occupied or unoccupied nest boxes, in order to identify the importance of factors in nest site preference. In both beech and oak woodlands, the choice of nest site was affected by understorey vegetation structure rather than species diversity. In particular, the common dormouse prefers sites with high understorey density probably for the presence of route-ways through branches and visual protection from predators.

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“…Autumn is a period for common dormice to prepare for hibernation by accumulating fat reserves (Likhachev 1967;Juðkaitis 2001). Hazelnuts, if they are available, are the principal source of food used for fattening up in autumn (Bright & Morris 1996Bright et al 2006).…”

Section: Feeding By Dormice In Autumn a Period Of Preparation For mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hazelnut kernels have the highest calorific value among European tree seeds that constitute potential food for small mammals (Grodzinski & Sawicka-Kapusta 1970). However, dormice also live in habitats without hazel or in habitats where the importance of hazel as a food source for these animals is limited because good hazel crops occur only every few years (Juðkaitis 2007). Many alternative food sources may be present in dormouse habitats in autumn.…”

Section: Feeding By Dormice In Autumn a Period Of Preparation For mentioning

confidence: 99%

FEEDING BY THE COMMON DORMOUSE (MUSCARDINUS AVELLANARIUS): A REVIEW

Juškaitis

2007

Acta Zoologica Lituanica

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Abstract. The common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) feeds on both vegetable food and food of animal origin. The dormouse has a varied diet, which depends upon latitude and nutritional plant species available and follows a strongly seasonal pattern. The main vegetable food sources are flowers in spring, berries in summer, nuts and soft fruits in autumn, but dormice also use many other food sources. Among vegetable foods, generative parts of plants (flower-buds, catkins, flowers, berries, and seeds) are preferred, whereas vegetative parts (leaf-buds, leaves, and shoots) are only subsidiary foods for these rodents. In spite of tannins that oak acorns contain, they may play an important part in the diet of dormice. During periods of scarcity of suitable vegetable food (e.g. in late spring and early summer), dormice use food of animal origin, primarily insects and bird eggs. Feeding on food of animal origin is expected to be more important in suboptimal habitats with a low diversity of nutritious plants. Some feeding activities attributed to the common dormouse (killing and eating of nestlings and even adult birds, hoarding of food supplies in autumn), may actually be performed by other animals (other dormouse species, Apodemus mice).

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Ranging and movement of the Common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius in Lithuania

Cited by 34 publications

References 5 publications

Population and individual‐scale responses to patch size, isolation and quality in the hazel dormouse

Population and individual‐scale responses to patch size, isolation and quality in the hazel dormouse

Nest site preference of common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) in two different habitat types of Central Italy

FEEDING BY THE COMMON DORMOUSE (MUSCARDINUS AVELLANARIUS): A REVIEW

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