Crocidura suaveolens (Pallas, 1811)

in Mitchell-Jones, A.J.; Amori, A.; Bogdanowicz, B. (Eds.) et al The atlas of European mammals (1999)

Mammals from the Azores islands (Portugal): an updated overview

in Mammalia (1998), 62(3), 397-407

Nine species of mammals are recorded for the Azores islands: one insectivore (Erinaceus europaeus), two bats (Myotis myotis, Nyctalus azoreum), one lagomorph (Oryctolagus cuniculus), three rodents (Rattus ... [more ▼]

Nine species of mammals are recorded for the Azores islands: one insectivore (Erinaceus europaeus), two bats (Myotis myotis, Nyctalus azoreum), one lagomorph (Oryctolagus cuniculus), three rodents (Rattus norvegicus, R. rattus, Mus musculus domesticus) and two carnivores (Mustela nivalis, M. furo). Here, notes on the origin and known distribution are given for each species, together with taxonomical and ecological cmments. Except for bats all the remaining species seem to have been introduced under the influence of the man's exploratory and commercial activities [less ▲]

Notes of the flea fauna (Insecta, Siphonaptera) of the terrestrial azorean mammals

in Arquivos do Museu Bocage. Nova série (1997), 3(1), 1-11

During three successive years, field samplings of wild mammals were organised on different Azorean islands and the ectoparastes were collected. Among 340 murid rodents, 31 did bear at least one flea ... [more ▼]

During three successive years, field samplings of wild mammals were organised on different Azorean islands and the ectoparastes were collected. Among 340 murid rodents, 31 did bear at least one flea. Nosopsyllus l. londiniensis has been found on the mouse in São Miguel. Stenoponia t. tripectinata has been discovered in Terceira and in São Miguel, mainly on house mice and on one black rat out of 121. Nosopsyllus fasciatus was present on the mouse and on both the black and the Norway rats. Its presence has been evidenced in four islands: São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa and Flores. Numerous rabbits were also examined in the visited islands (São Miguel, Terceira, Pico, São Jorge, Faial and Flores) and were found heavily parasited by their commonest flea, Spilopsyllus cuniculi. In Flores, however, that flea seems to be lacking. Though no systematic search has been done on domestic animals, the presence of Ctenocephalides f. felis is also reported from Flores, Terceira and Graciosa whereas C. canis has been found on a dog in Florès. The flea fauna of the Azorean archipelago is therefore characterized by a few species amongst the most cosmopolitan ones [less ▲]

First approach on the skull morphology of the black rat (Rattus rattus) from Terceira and São Miguel islands (Azores archipelago)

in Vie et milieu (1996), 46(3-4), 245-251

The present paper deals with an analysis of metric (cranial measurements) and non metric (epigenetic cranial characters) variation in black rat populations from S. Miguel and Terceira islands compared to ... [more ▼]

The present paper deals with an analysis of metric (cranial measurements) and non metric (epigenetic cranial characters) variation in black rat populations from S. Miguel and Terceira islands compared to a continental sample. Assuming the Azorean rats originate from the European continent, we tested the similarity between the samples, considering only adult and subadult animals. Having verified that there was no sexual dimorphism in the characters studied, we computed discriminant functions and made a PCA with the most discriminant variables. The three samples are clearly separated by these functions, the Azorean rats showing a larger general skull size and differing between the two islands. The Mean Measure of Divergence (MMD), based on non metric cranial traits frequencies, was also used to express the interpopulational differences: the rats of Terceira differ significantly either from the continental ones or from those of S. Miguel. Finally, the possible origin of these differences is disussed. [less ▲]

On the helminthofauna of wild mammals (Rodentia, Insectivora ans Lagomorpha) in Azores archipelago (Portugal)

in Vie et milieu (1996), 46(3-4), 253-259

The faunistic and ecological study of the helminthfaunas of mammals in Azorean islands is considered. 103 rodents (Rattus rattus L., 1758 and Mus musculus L., 1758) 9 insectivores (Erinaceus europaeus L ... [more ▼]

The faunistic and ecological study of the helminthfaunas of mammals in Azorean islands is considered. 103 rodents (Rattus rattus L., 1758 and Mus musculus L., 1758) 9 insectivores (Erinaceus europaeus L., 1758) and 19 lagomorphs (Oryctolagus cuniculus L., 1758) were analysed. The hosts been captured in several biotopes of thre islands (São Miguel, Terceira and Flores). 27 helminth species were detected (3 Digenea Trematoda, 5 Cestoda, 18 Nematoda and 1 Acantocephala). All hosts species show high prevalences and no significant differences were found between different islands. The helminthfaunas show typical features of a young island parasitofaunas. [less ▲]

Mediterranean small mammals and insular syndrome: biometrical study of the long tailes field mouse (Apodemus sylavticus) (Rodentia Muridae) of Corsica

in Bonner Zoologische Beiträge (1993), 44(3-4), 147-163

The presence in Corsica of a field mouse is well known. Several authors have noted some of its morphological peculiarities but it was only recently (1980) that the presence of A. sylvaticus was ... [more ▼]

The presence in Corsica of a field mouse is well known. Several authors have noted some of its morphological peculiarities but it was only recently (1980) that the presence of A. sylvaticus was establblished with certainty. However, this evidence is based on a check of a limited number of individuals originating from a single locality. In order to generalize these observations, we performed o biochemical test on six Corsican mice caught in three distinct localites and a morpho biometrical study of 491 skulls. The results show that A. sylvaticus is spread all over the island and that A. flavicollis is probably absent. No sexual dimorphism was found but strong spatial variations in the cranial measurements were ividenced. There are far less important between the various Corsican sub samples than between the insular and the continenecal mice. The evolutionary and adaptive significance of the increase in size of insular mice is discussed in relation to the theory of island biogeography and to the present knowledge on the history of the mammalian settlement of the island. [less ▲]

Le régime alimentaire de la chouette effraie, Tyto alba, dans les Pyrénées Orientales. Etude des variations écogéographiques

in Revue d'Ecologie (1983), 37

Correspondence analysis is used to study the variations of the diet of the Barn owl in the eastern part of the Pyrenees, and their relationships with the various vegetation zones of the area. Nineteen ... [more ▼]

Correspondence analysis is used to study the variations of the diet of the Barn owl in the eastern part of the Pyrenees, and their relationships with the various vegetation zones of the area. Nineteen samples of owl pellets (18561 prey items) were collected, together with information on the altitude, climate, vegetation and land-use of the sites where pellets were gathered. Mus spretus is a typical eumediterranean species. Pitymys pyrenaicus, Microtus arvalis, Clethrionomys glareolus, Sorex "araneus" and S. minutus are conspicuously absent. Pitymys duodecimcostatus, Suncus etruscus and Crocidura suaveolens cannot be considered as "indicator species" of the mediterranean biome. These small mammals take advantage of some man-made environmental changes to enter areas well outsite the limits of the mediterranean bioclimate: e.g. cultivated fields with deep soils for Pitymys and dry-stone walls for Crocidurine shrews. The strong correslation existing between ecoclimatic factors and prey selection emphazises the opportunistic nature of barn owl's predatory behaviour. The use of fossil pellets as an indicator of past environmental cnditions of a given area is amply justified [less ▲]

Les micromammifères dans le département des Pyrénées Orientales. Essai de répartition altitudinale en liaison avec les étages de végétation

in Vie et milieu (1980), 30

In the Pyrénées-Orientales, distribution of small mammals and relative densities of the different species are governed by the lanscape: coastal and brackish water vegetation, agricultural areas in the ... [more ▼]

In the Pyrénées-Orientales, distribution of small mammals and relative densities of the different species are governed by the lanscape: coastal and brackish water vegetation, agricultural areas in the Roussillon plain, mediterranean land vegetation, forests of lower montain and subalpine levels, alpine pastures. Finally topographic plays its role in the linkage of biocenoses and in particular by the orientation of the three main valleys with the resulting distribution of solar impact: mediterranean species attaining relatively high altitudes in warm sites paralleled by mountain species descending fairly low on shady slopes. In the area studied, the subalpine and low mountain levels are characterized by the absence of Crocidurinae, and the presence of Sorex "araneus", Sorex minutus, Microtus arvalis, Arvicola terrestris and Clethrionomys glareolus. The mediterranean level is characterized by the absence of Sorex and the presence of Pitymys duodecimcostatus and Mus spretus. Crocidura russula, C. suaveolens and Suncus etruscus occur in considerable numbers, but their presence is not typical of the mediterranean biome. The submediterranean level (transition zone) is the richest in terms of species number, as it comprises the zone of faunal overlap according to local solar impact. [less ▲]