Use of nestboxes by the Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius

Morris, Pat; Bright, P. W.; Woods, Derek

doi:10.1016/0006-3207(90)90027-m

Cited by 71 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…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). Wooden nest-boxes (average size 18 3 18 3 21 cm) had a standard entrance hole (3 cm in diameter) and were positioned on trees at a height of 1.5-2 m (Morris et al 1990, Juškaitis 2008.…”

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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“…Nails were fixed on trees and nest boxes were hanged on nails by a wire sling, with the entrance hole facing the tree trunk, so as to be more accessible to small mammals climbing the tree or branch. This design was also intended to deter birds from entering by obstructing their direct line of flight to the entrance hole (Morris et al 1990). Two transverse spacing bars, above and below the entrance hole, held the box about 2.5 cm clear of the tree to which it was attached, allowing dormice to squeeze in.…”

Section: Nest Box Design and Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Artificial nest sites, most commonly in the form of nest boxes that are attached to a tree, are readily used by several hollow-using animals belonging to various systematic groups, including birds (e.g., Petty et al 1994;Mand et al 2005), arboreal marsupials (Menkhorst 1984;Lindenmayer et al 2003), bats (Kowalski and Lesinski 1994;Ciechanowski 2005), arboreal rodents (Barkalow and Soots 1965;Morris et al 1990;Shuttleworth 1999;Juškaitis 1999;Marsh and Morris 2000), and invertebrates (e.g., wasps, ants, beetles, etc.). As a consequence, nest boxes may constitute important survey and research tools (Myers and Dashper 1999;Harley 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nest box use by woodland dormice (Graphiurus murinus): the influence of life cycle and nest box placement

et al. 2010

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The use of nest boxes by the woodland dormouse, Graphiurus murinus, was investigated over a 13-month period in a riverine forest of the Great Fish River Reserve, South Africa. We predicted that some characteristics of nest box placement would affect nest box use and that the seasonal pattern of nest box use would be linked to the species' life cycle and physiological and socioecological characteristics. Generalized linear models indicated that the time since nest box installation and nest box height above ground positively affected the frequency and intensity of nest box use. Male and female dormice, as well as adults and juveniles, did not differ in the number of nest boxes used and equally occupied individual nest boxes. The percentage of nest boxes used peaked during spring and summer (breeding period) and dropped during winter (hibernation). However, whereas significantly more males were caught during the mating season (spring), the number of females occupying nest boxes was constant during the year. As female dormice successfully bred in the nest boxes, the observed sexual patterns suggest that (artificial) nest sites represent an important resource for females, whereas females seem to constitute the main resource for males, as predicted by the socioecological model.

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“…Some direct survey methodologies have been alternately employed in studies on the hazel dormouse, i.e., live-trapping (Morris & Whitebread, 1986) and the use of nestboxes Morris et al, 1990;Sorace et al, 1999). However, the hazel dormouse occurs at low population densities and these techniques are thus quite expensive in terms of field work.…”

Section: Sampling Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of the hazel dormouse,Muscardinus avellanarius, distribution in a Mediterranean fragmented woodland

Capizzi

Battistini

Amori

2002

Italian Journal of Zoology

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The hazel dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius, distribution was investigated in a fragmented woodland of central Italy. In order to understand the effects of habitat fragmentation and forest structure on this species its presence-absence was analysed in 38 forest fragments, in relation to several parameters, i.e., the woodlot area and isolation, floristic diversity, tree diameter and height, number of vegetation strata, and vegetation density. The human activities practised in the various forest fragments, such as forest management and grazing by domestic cattle, were also recorded. The surveys were conducted by using two different methods, i.e., the hair-tubing technique, and the searching for hazel dormouse nests. Hair-tubing confirmed hazel dormouse presence in all woodlots positively checked by nest searching, while this technique failed to detect the species in nine woodlots positively surveyed by using hair-tubes. Our results indicated that in grazed woodlots M. avellanarius was likely to be absent, while no evidence was found about its preference for a given type of forest management, although its incidence was higher in coppices than in high forests. However, in the four more intensively managed woodlots, the hazel dormouse was always absent, while it was present in the three remaining high forests. Woodlots with more diversified undergrowth were more favourable to the species, while in forest fragments with conspicuous mean tree diameter and height it was likely to be absent. Woodlots well connected with hedgerows were associated with higher probabilities in finding the hazel dormouse, while no evident correlation between its presence and woodlot area was found.

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Use of nestboxes by the Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius

Cited by 71 publications

References 4 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 box use by woodland dormice (Graphiurus murinus): the influence of life cycle and nest box placement

Analysis of the hazel dormouse,Muscardinus avellanarius, distribution in a Mediterranean fragmented woodland

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