Reproduction of the root vole (Microtus oeconomus) at the edge of its distribution range

Balčiauskas, Linas; Balčiauskienė, Laima; Janonyte, Agne

doi:10.3906/zoo-1111-20

Cited by 14 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Individuals were measured and weighed, and genders and age groups were recorded (the age group identified during dissection). According to Balciauskas et al [36], we identified adults, sub-adults and juveniles based on their body weight, the status of sex organs and atrophy of the thymus, the latter of which decreases with animal age [37].…”

Section: Small Mammal Trappingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and Diet Differences of Small Mammals in Commensal Habitats

et al. 2021

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The stability of diversity of syntopic (inhabiting the same habitat in the same time) small mammals in commensal habitats, such as farmsteads and kitchen gardens, and, as a proxy of their diet, their isotopic niches, was investigated in Lithuania in 2019–2020. We tested whether the separation of species corresponds to the trophic guilds, whether their diets are related to possibilities of getting additional food from humans, and whether their diets are subject to seasonal trends. We analyzed diversity, dominance and distribution of hair δ13C and δ15N values. Diversity and dominance was not stable and differed according to human influence. The highest small mammal species richness occurred in commensal habitats that provided additional food. The degree of separation of species was higher in homestead habitats than in kitchen gardens, where a 1.27 to 35.97% overlap of isotopic niches was observed between pairs of species. Temporal changes in δ13C and δ15N values in the hair of the mammals were not equally expressed in different species. The isotopic overlap may depend on dietary plasticity, minimizing interspecific competition and allowing co-existence of syntopic species. Thus, small mammal trophic ecology is likely related to intensity of agricultural activities in the limited space of commensal habitats.

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Section: Small Mammal Trappingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and Diet Differences of Small Mammals in Commensal Habitats

et al. 2021

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“…The sex and age (juveniles, sub-adults, adults) were determined during dissection. The age was based on the atrophy of the thymus gland and the status of reproductive organs [ 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Three Sarcocystis Species (Apicomplexa) in Blood Samples of the Bank Vole and Yellow-Necked Mouse from Lithuania

Prakas,

Gudiškis,

Kitrytė

et al. 2024

Life

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The genus Sarcocystis is an abundant group of Apicomplexa parasites found in mammals, birds, and reptiles. These parasites are characterised by the formation of sarcocysts in the muscles of intermediate hosts and the development of sporocysts in the intestines of definitive hosts. The identification of Sarcocystis spp. is usually carried out in carcasses of animals, while there is a lack of studies on the detection of Sarcocystis species in blood samples. In the current study, blood samples of 214 yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) and 143 bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) from Lithuania were examined for Sarcocystis. The molecular identification of Sarcocystis was carried out using nested PCR of cox1 and 28S rRNA and subsequent sequencing. Sarcocystis spp. were statistically (p < 0.01) more frequently detected in the bank vole (6.3%) than in yellow-necked mice (0.9%). The analysed parasites were observed in four different habitats, such as mature deciduous forest, bog, natural meadow, and arable land. Three species, Sarcocystis funereus, Sarcocystis myodes, and Sarcocystis cf. glareoli were confirmed in the bank vole, whereas only Sarcocystis myodes were found in yellow-necked mice. The obtained results are important in the development of molecular identification of Sarcocystis parasites in live animals.

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“…The age and sex of the animal were determined at dissection. Juveniles (juv), sub-adults (sub), and adults (ad) were determined by thymic atrophy, which decreases with age [ 31 , 32 ], and the condition of the genitalia [ 33 , 34 ]. The juvenile category included individuals with a fully developed thymus, but still developing reproductive organs, such as a closed vagina, a thread-like uterus, and testicles retracted into the abdomen [ 35 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Breeding individuals with atrophied thymuses were classified as adults. These included overwintered individuals, males with scrotal testes and developed accessory glands, as well as pregnant or lactating females, including those with perforated vaginas [ 32 ]. Body mass was used as an additional trait for age determination.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abundance and Population Structure of Small Rodents in Fruit and Berry Farms

Balčiauskas

Stirkė

Balčiauskienė

2023

Life

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Fruit and berry farms are anthropogenic habitats still inhabited by small mammals, though their presence is constantly affected by agricultural activities. Based on trapping data from 2018–2022, we analyzed the abundance and population structure of the dominant rodent species to assess changes in gender and age ratios by year and habitat, the annual and seasonal dynamics of relative abundance, and the relationship between breeding parameters and abundance. The relative abundance of the dominant species, common vole, yellow-necked mouse, striped field mouse, and bank vole, and their proportion in the investigated community varied according to year, season, and habitat. No outbreaks were recorded during the study period. The abundance of the striped field mouse exhibited a downward trend independently of habitat, while the abundance and proportions of the other three species were habitat-dependent. There was no consistent pattern between litter size and relative abundance in the same or following years. Given the ongoing conflict between biodiversity conservation in Europe and agriculture, the results contribute to a better understanding of the functioning and viability of rodent populations in fruit farms and may be used in agroecology and sustainable farming.

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Reproduction of the root vole (Microtus oeconomus) at the edge of its distribution range

Cited by 14 publications

References 16 publications

Diversity and Diet Differences of Small Mammals in Commensal Habitats

Diversity and Diet Differences of Small Mammals in Commensal Habitats

Detection of Three Sarcocystis Species (Apicomplexa) in Blood Samples of the Bank Vole and Yellow-Necked Mouse from Lithuania

Abundance and Population Structure of Small Rodents in Fruit and Berry Farms

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