2006: Shrews (Sorex spp.) somatometry and reproduction in Slovakia (original) (raw)
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Morphometrical characteristics of the common shrews (Sorex araneus L.) from interracial hybrid zones
Common shrews are subdivided into numerous chromosome races which make contact and form hybrid zones. To date, no strong differences in morphology have been found between hybrid and pure race individuals from the vicinity of such hybrid zones. To investigate this further, we carried out studies in Poland on three hybrid zones between races belonging to the West and East European Karyotypic Groups using material collected from 1989 to 1994. Shrews were measured (head and body, tail and hindfoot length) and weighed. Statistically significant differences in morphology were only observed in the Stobnica/Łęgucki Mlyn hybrid zone. The results indicated that both adult and immature animals belonging to the Stobnica race were smaller than those belonging to the Łęgucki Młyn race. The hybrids were longer than individuals of pure race karyotype but the mean body mass of the hybrids was the lowest. At the population level, the size of the shrews varied with value of a hybrid index. The absence of similar results for the Drużno/Łęgucki Młyn and Drnholec/Biatowieia hybrid zones may reflect their narrowness compared with the Stobnica/Łęgucki Młyn zone.
The morphological differences between sexes of six soricid species belonging to two subfamilies, Crocidurinae (Crocidura suaveolens and C. leucodon) and Soricinae (Neomys anomalus, N. fodiens, Sorex araneus and S. minutus), were studied on the basis of 39 cranial, mandibular and tooth measurements. Different patterns regarding sexual differences in size were recorded in the two subfamilies. The two whitetoothed shrew species exhibited clear male-biased sexual size differences, which were better expressed in C. suaveolens compared to C. leucodon as well as in Southeastern Europe compared to Central Europe. Conversely, red-toothed shrews did not display distinct sexual differences in size. In N. fodiens, N. anomalus, S. araneus and S. minutus, some measurements were larger in males, others were larger in females, while certain measurements did not differ between sexes. Furthermore, differences between samples of one species were observed. The characters that showed the most significant sex variations differed among the species. As a great overlap exists among the ranges of the measurements, it is more correct to speak of size differences between sexes rather than of a distinct sexual size dimorphism.
Abundance of Common Shrew (Sorex Araneus) in Selected Forest Habitats of Moravia (Czech Republic)
Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis
Abundance of common shrew (Sorex araneus) was evaluated on selected forest sites in Moravia, Czech Republic. Six types of habitats were assessed: forest clearings and mature forests in lowlands (173-233 m), uplands (360-600 m), and mountains (600-1200 m). Data were collected over five-year-long periods; 2006-2010 (uplands) and 2007-2011 (lowlands and mountains). Small terrestrial mammals were captured using snap traps laid in lines. In total, 200 individuals of common shrew were trapped. Relative abundance among different habitats was statistically evaluated. The highest relative abundance was found in mountain forest clearings (n = 132, rA = 0.719). Lower abundance was in upland forest clearings (n = 15, rA = 0.384), in mature mountain forests (n = 32, rA = 0.355), and in the lowland forest clearings (n = 9 rA = 0.109). The lowest abundance was in mature upland forests (n = 9, rA = 0.031) and in mature lowland forests (n = 3, rA = 0.011). Differences between sites were statistically significant. Among all altitudes, shrew populations in plantations were significantly more numerous than those in mature forests. Mountain forest clearings with dense herb layer proved to be the most suitable habitat while mature lowland forests with less developed herbaceous layer were the least suitable. Forest clearings proved to be an important refuge for the populations of common shrew.
Shrews Soricidae of the Silesian Beskid Mountains
Fragmenta Faunistica, 2009
During a study conducted in 2002-2008 the following 6 species of shrews were recorded in the Silesian Beskid Mts. (Western Carpathians, S Poland): Sorex araneus, S. minutus, S. alpinus, Neomys fodiens, N. anomalus and Crocidura suaveolens. The most widespread was S. araneus (63.4% of locations), followed by S. alpinus (13.4%), S. minutus (12.2%), N. fodiens (7.3%), N. anomalus (2.4%) and C. suaveolens (1.2%). Among dead shrews (n=47) S. araneus comprised 56.6%, S. minutus 21.7%, S. alpinus 10.9%, C. suaveolens 4.3%, N. anomalus 4.3% and N. fodiens 2.2%. During capture with live traps only S. araneus was recorded, constituting 2.5% of all small mammals captured. It was most frequently caught in deforested areas.
Population dynamics of the common shrew (Sorex araneus) in Central European forest clearings
European Journal of Wildlife Research
The population dynamics of shrews (Soricidae) are not well known even though they form an important part of forest ecosystems and represent suitable bioindicators of ecosystem quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the population dynamics of shrews in mountain and upland forest clearings in four study areas within the Czech Republic and to reveal how climatic factors influenced fluctuations in their abundance for a decade (2007–2017). In total, we trapped 7,538 individuals of 18 small mammal species. From 760 individuals of seven shrew species, the common shrew (Sorex araneus) was significantly dominated in all study areas. We did not observe any significant, regular multi-annual cycles of the common shrew. However, a cross-correlation in density fluctuation of this species was detected in all mountain areas indicating the influence of environmental factors acting on a larger geographical scale. The autumn abundance of shrews was dependent on the subset of climatic variables...