Diet/Hair and Diet/Faeces Trophic Discrimination Factors for Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes, and Hair Regrowth in the Yellow-Necked Mouse and Bank Vole

Chibowski, Piotr; Brzeziński, Marcin; Suska‐Malawska, Małgorzata; Zub, Karol

doi:10.5735/086.059.0115

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 88 publications

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“…Similarly, the significant lower δ 13 C values found in faeces would be well-supported by the natural diet of the wood mouse, which is mainly comprised of vegetal matter (i.e., seeds, fruits, roots, and other plant parts [ 63 ]) resulting from C3 plants (see above description of the vegetation in the study area), where carbon isotope composition ranges from −20 to −37‰ [ 65 ]. This depletion in faecal δ 13 C values as compared with the diet has been also reported by other works carried out with several rodents, including the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis [ 49 , 66 ]. Furthermore, both elemental and isotopic values found for the wood mouse in this study are consistent with the ranges found for other rodent species both in faeces [ 34 , 49 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ] and hair samples [ 67 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…This depletion in faecal δ 13 C values as compared with the diet has been also reported by other works carried out with several rodents, including the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis [ 49 , 66 ]. Furthermore, both elemental and isotopic values found for the wood mouse in this study are consistent with the ranges found for other rodent species both in faeces [ 34 , 49 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ] and hair samples [ 67 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 ]. Furthermore, the faecal isotopic composition of wood mouse faeces found also falls within values reported in the few available scientific works addressing hair and blood isotopic composition in the wood mouse [ 51 , 52 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

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An Experimental Study in Wild Wood Mice Testing Elemental and Isotope Analysis in Faeces to Determine Variations in Food Intake Amount

Navarro-Castilla

Hernández

Barja

2023

Animals

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The analysis of carbon and nitrogen elemental (C, N) and isotopic compositions (δ13C, δ15N) in faeces are considered reliable methodologies for the study of diet in wildlife. Here, we tested the suitability of these techniques to detect variations in the amount of food intake. We captured wild wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) with Sherman live traps where bait access was initially free, and later it was experimentally limited inside by four different devices to cause intended variations in the amount ingested. The total C and N (%) and stable δ13C and δ15N isotopic values were determined for the bait and in mice faecal samples. Faecal values were lower than bait ones except for N, likely due to animal matter ingested before capture. No significant differences in total C, N and δ13C were found due to individual traits. However, breeding males showed higher δ15N values than breeding females, probably due to differences in energy and protein demands between both sexes during the breeding season. Only δ13C detected food intake variations (≥2 g). Despite further research being needed, these results initially support the potential of δ13C to provide information on the amount ingested, thus being useful to complement trophic ecology studies.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

An Experimental Study in Wild Wood Mice Testing Elemental and Isotope Analysis in Faeces to Determine Variations in Food Intake Amount

Navarro-Castilla

Hernández

Barja

2023

Animals

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“…It has, however, been shown that C. glaeolus may be paradoxically less numerous in richer habitats [1]. We, therefore, interpret the values of TDS between the diet and hair of C. glareolus, exceeding those found in temperate forest [32], only as confirming species omnivory and as showing an increased share of animal food in the diet. Our data confirm seasonal stability of content of nitrogenous substances in the diet, as shown by [30], but are in contrast with [29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 68%

“…The reported values are the arithmetic means with SE of the δ 13 C and δ 15 N for all basal resources mentioned above. Diet/hair trophic discrimination factors (TDF) were calculated as the difference between diet and hair, expressed as ∆ 13 C and ∆ 15 N [32,44].…”

Section: Data Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This method allows diets to be related to body condition [31]. For C. glareolus, it was experimentally shown how big the trophic discrimination factor (∆δ 13 C and ∆δ 15 N) is, as measured between diet and hair, when fed on C 3 plant-based diets and 30% animal matter based diets [32]. In Lithuania, isotopic analysis has been the only method used for dietary studies of small mammal herbivores [33] and granivores [34], while the diet of omnivorous small mammals, as a trophic group, had not been investigated so far.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stable Isotope Analysis Supports Omnivory in Bank Voles in Apple Orchards

et al. 2022

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With only periodic and incomplete studies of its diet over time, all with differing methods and conclusions, the degree of omnivory in the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) is not fully clear. We assessed the trophic niche of the species using isotopic (δ15N and δ13C) compositions from hair samples and analysed how C. glareolus shares trophic space with herbivores, granivores and insectivores living syntopically. According to the numbers trapped, C. glareolus was the fourth most numerous species in the apple orchards that we investigated, accounting for 14.4% of all trapped small mammals with a relative abundance of 1.12 individuals per 100 trap nights. The average values of both δ15N and δ13C in the hair of C. glareolus differed from the other trophic groups, with the average of δ15N in orchards and neighbouring habitats (6.55–6.95‰) being closest to that of insectivores. Intraspecific trophic niche differences (depending on age, gender and reproductive status) were not expressed, while correlations between body mass, body condition index and both δ15N and δ13C values were not consistent. In comparison to analysed basal resources, isotopic signatures in the hair were closest to the values in invertebrates and apple seeds. The degree of omnivory in C. glareolus was not the same in different habitats. This may be an indication of ecological plasticity within the species, allowing its inclusion/success in multi-species small mammal communities.

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Effects of Directive 2010/63/EU on research on wild-sourced animals: a review of publication trends in studies on captive wild mice (Apodemus sp.)

Carrilho,

von Merten,

Mathias

et al. 2024

Lab Anim

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Most animals used in experimentation are small mammals. In the EU, Directive 2010/63/EU regulates the use of laboratory animals for experimental purposes. However, there are few guidelines for the use of wild-sourced animals, which cover permits, experimentation, transport, maintenance, and setting free after experiments. To evaluate the effect of the Directive on the study of wild-sourced animals, we conducted a systematised literature review focusing on three widespread rodents of the genus Apodemus: Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis and A. sylvaticus. We selected studies performed across the EU, published before (2000–August 2010), during (September 2010–2012) and after implementation of the Directive (2013–2022). From those, we collected data on three main topics: i) authorisation; ii) care and accommodation and iii) methods of killing. We found that after implementation of the Directive a higher proportion of published studies provided information about authorisation. In contrast, there was no significant difference over time in the information given about the care and accommodation of animals or methods of killing. As such, our analysis suggests that there is still room for improvement to achieve consistency across journals publishing research involving wild-sourced small mammals. Specifically, editors should require the provision of detailed information by authors regarding proper animal care (e.g. more detailed care and accommodation protocols). To harmonise the information requested by different editorial boards, we recommend the addition of specific guidelines in the Directive regarding wild animals, particularly on their proper accommodation, manipulation, enrichment and veterinary control.

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Diet/Hair and Diet/Faeces Trophic Discrimination Factors for Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes, and Hair Regrowth in the Yellow-Necked Mouse and Bank Vole

Cited by 4 publications

References 88 publications

An Experimental Study in Wild Wood Mice Testing Elemental and Isotope Analysis in Faeces to Determine Variations in Food Intake Amount

An Experimental Study in Wild Wood Mice Testing Elemental and Isotope Analysis in Faeces to Determine Variations in Food Intake Amount

Stable Isotope Analysis Supports Omnivory in Bank Voles in Apple Orchards

Effects of Directive 2010/63/EU on research on wild-sourced animals: a review of publication trends in studies on captive wild mice (Apodemus sp.)

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