Weather-Dependent Variation in the Winter Diet of Urban Roosting Long-Eared Owls Asio Otus in Pécs (Hungary)

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dávid Szép ◽  
Renáta Bocz ◽  
Jenő J. Purger
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
Wood Mouse ◽  
Field Mouse ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Striped Field Mouse ◽  
Winter Diet ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Dormouse ◽  
Grassland Habitats

Long-eared Owls (Asio otus) usually winter in groups in settlements, hunt at night and rest in evergreen trees during the day. From prey remnants regurgitated as pellets, one can detect species present in their hunting areas and changes in their abundance. Our aim was to reveal how the ratio of small mammal species in Long-eared Owl prey changes during the winter, since weather can influence hunting success and the availability of prey. There were 40–60 Long-eared Owls wintering in the city of Pécs. From November 2014 to mid-March 2015 we collected 6,328 pellets from which 9,087 prey remains were identified. 97.5% of prey consisted of small mammals belonging to 21 species. The diversity of small mammals in the pellets collected in November was significantly lower in comparison with other months. With the increase of precipitation, the relative abundance of the Common Vole (Microtus arvalis) and Common Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) decreased, while that of the Striped Field Mouse (Apodemus agrarius) and Wood Mouse (A. sylvaticus) increased. In the periods when the area was covered by snow, the ratio of the Common Vole as prey continually decreased, probably because it stayed under the snow. Since the availability of the Common Vole declined, the proportions of the Striped Field Mouse and Lesser White-toothed Shrew (Crocidura suaveolens) as alternative prey grew significantly. In low temperature periods, Brown Rats (Rattus norvegicus) and birds are more often preyed upon. Despite the hunting area being predominantly urban, species preferring open grassland habitats were significantly more common. As winter progressed, the role of forest-dwelling species in the diet continuously increased.

Effects of landscape type and extensive management on use of motorway roadsides by small mammals

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis D Meunier ◽  
Johanna Corbin ◽  
Christophe Verheyden ◽  
Pierre Jouventin
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
Wood Mouse ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Landscape Matrix ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Landscape Type ◽  
Population Peak ◽  
Relative Abundances

We compared the relative abundances of small mammals along extensively managed motorway roadsides (with a narrow mown strip adjacent to the roadway) in three distinct landscapes (garrigue, pine plantation, and intensive farmland), to evaluate the relative effects of management and landscape traversed on roadside small-mammal populations. In each landscape, the landscape matrix (adjacent habitats), the mown strip, and the intervening unmown strip of roadside were sampled using snap traps. The roadside communities differed from those of landscape matrices, both in the relative abundances of individual species and in the proportion of each species captured. Species richness was greater on roadsides than in cropland and pine plantations, but there was no difference in the garrigue landscape. However, this greater richness was due to species that were rarely caught. The three dominant species (93.7% of captures), greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), and common vole (Microtus arvalis), were generally more abundant on roadsides than in the landscape matrices, especially in the unmown strip in the case of the first two species. Voles showed seasonal variation, being more abundant in mown strips at the population peak. The ecotone attributes of extensively managed motorway roadsides seem to be favourable to most small-mammal species, regardless of the landscape matrix.

scholarly journals Mow the Grass at the Mouse’s Peril: Diversity of Small Mammals in Commercial Fruit Farms

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linas Balčiauskas ◽  
Laima Balčiauskienė ◽  
Vitalijus Stirkė
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
The Common ◽  
Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Diversity

Small mammals are not only pests but also an important part of agricultural ecosystems. The common vole is a reference species for risk assessment of plant protection products in the European Union, but no data about the suitability of the species in the Baltic countries are present so far. Using the snap-trap line method, we evaluated species composition, abundance, and diversity of small mammal communities in commercial orchards and berry plantations in Lithuania, testing the predictions that (i) compared with other habitats, small mammal diversity in fruit farms is low, and (ii) the common vole is the dominant species. The diversity of small mammals was compared with control habitats and the results of investigations in other habitats. Out of ten small mammal species registered, the most dominant were common vole and striped field mouse. Small mammal diversity and abundance increased in autumn and decreased in line with the intensity of agricultural practices but were not dependent on crop type. In the most intensively cultivated fruit farms, small mammals were not found. The diversity of small mammal communities in fruit farms was significantly higher than in crop fields and exceeded the diversities found in most types of forests except those in rapid succession.

Responses of the long-eared owl Asio otus diet and the numbers of wintering individuals to changing abundance of the common vole Microtus arvalis

Biologia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Tulis ◽  
Michal Baláž ◽  
Ján Obuch ◽  
Karol Šotnár
Keyword(s):  
Common Vole ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Population Fluctuations ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Winter Diet ◽  
Opportunistic Predator ◽  
The Common ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
Food Niche ◽  
Specific Diet

AbstractOpportunistic predator like the long-eared owl is able to respond to population fluctuations of its main prey. The composition of the winter diet of this owl species was investigated during the period of 13 winters (1992-2000, 2006-2011) in agricultural areas in Slovakia. In total, we found 23 mammal species and 33 bird species (H′ = 0.82) in pellets. The frequency of the dominant prey species, the common vole, varied from 57.7% to 92.4%. Our data show that the abundance of the common vole: (i) had biggest impact on the food niche breadth of the long-eared owl; (ii) when in decline, it was significantly compensated by the increase in the amount of 15 other accessory species (subject to the specific diet offered during the study winters); (iii) was positively correlated with the number of owls in the winter-roost, which varied during the 13 studied winters.

scholarly journals Importance of winter rape for small rodents

2011 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 175-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Heroldová ◽  
J. Zejda ◽  
M. Zapletal ◽  
D. Obdržálková ◽  
E. Jánová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammal ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Field Mouse ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Winter Rape ◽  
Dominant Component ◽  
Small Mammal Community ◽  
The Common

Winter rape stands are important habitat for the common vole (Microtus arvalis) and the pygmy field mouse (Apodemus microps). In autumn, the common vole is dominant in this habitat (D = 75%) and reproduces in it (17% of population). This species also dominates the small mammal community of winter rape in early spring (D = 87%), and its reproduction begins in this habitat early; under suitable meteorological conditions 44% of the population of common vole reproduce in March. Analyses of the spring and autumn diet of M. arvalis in winter rape have shown that green leaves of this species form the dominant component of its diet. During the period when the rape crop is ripening, the population abundance of the common vole decreases as green food at ground level decreases. The pygmy field mouse (A. microps) has a contrasting response to winter rape, and it is almost absent from the rape crop from autumn to late spring. However, when winter rapeseeds begun to ripen, the pygmy field mouse concentration in this habitat is in large numbers (dominance D = 76%) and rapeseeds dominate its diet (v% = 72). After the harvest of winter rape, when shed seeds begin to grow, both small mammal species live for some weeks on rape plots.

Winter diet of Long-eared Owls (Asio otus) in the southern Pannonian Plain (Serbia, Vojvodina)

2021 ◽  
pp. 175815592110365
Author(s):  
Filip Tulis ◽  
Nadja Poljak ◽  
Milan Ruzic ◽  
Ján Obuch
Keyword(s):  
Diet Composition ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Wood Mouse ◽  
Winter Diet ◽  
Pannonian Plain ◽  
The Common ◽  
Food Niche ◽  
Qualitative Changes

Owl diets undergo qualitative changes across the different regions of their area of distribution. During the four winters (from 2014–15 to 2017–18), Long-eared Owls’ pellets were collected at three winterroosts located at the southern part of Pannonian Plain, in the Serbian province of Vojvodina. In 8070 prey items from pellets, we identified 16 mammal and 32 bird species. The Common Vole was the dominant prey species with a proportion in a range from 27.4% to 71.6%. The Muridae family formed a supplementary part of the diet: Mus sp., wood mouse and harvest mouse, during all winters. Birds were also a major supplementary prey during winter 2014–15, comprising 10.6%. A comparison of our results with the diet of Long-eared Owls wintering at the northern Pannonian plain (southwestern Slovakia) indicated an increase the proportion of some species in the southern part. How different land uses in agriculture and environmental conditions may be reflected in the food supply are discussed in relation to the diet composition of Long-eared Owls and an environment whose is richer provides both growing diversity in the diet of these owls and an expansion of their food niche. Our study described the Long-eared Owl as opportunistic predators expanding their food niche in the presence of diversified prey.

scholarly journals Different alternative diets within two subgroups in a winter roost of long-eared owls

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-144
Author(s):  
Filip Tulis ◽  
Tomáš Veselovský ◽  
Simon Birrer
Keyword(s):  
Prey Species ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
Wood Mouse ◽  
Alternative Prey ◽  
The Common

Abstract In winter 2013/2014 a roost of long-eared owls in Bojnice Spa (central Slovakia) was formed by two subgroups situated 12 meters apart from each other. The diets of both subgroups and the direction of the owls’ departure from the roost were studied at monthly intervals. Owls of the Pinus-subgroup left the roost in a significantly different direction compared with the owls in the Picea-subgroup. The common vole was the most hunted prey in both subgroups. However, comparing the alternative prey of the two subgroups, the wood mouse and other mammals were found significantly more often in pellets of the Picea-sub-group, whereas birds were more frequent in pellets of the Pinus-subgroup. Our results suggest that the different prey hunted by the two subgroups may be a consequence of diverging hunting areas with different availability of alternative prey species.

scholarly journals Efficacy of different formulations of Bromodiolone-based rodenticides against rodent pests in alfalfa

2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-282
Author(s):  
Goran Jokic ◽  
Marina Vuksa ◽  
Ibrahim Elezovic ◽  
Bojan Stojnic ◽  
Suzana Djedovic
Keyword(s):  
Common Vole ◽  
Field Mouse ◽  
Microtus Arvalis ◽  
Small Rodents ◽  
Striped Field Mouse ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Plot Area ◽  
Main Plot ◽  
Mixed Populations ◽  
Abundance And Distribution

In order to compare the efficacy of different formulations of Bromodiolone-based rodenticides against mixed populations of common vole (Microtus arvalis Pall) and striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) in alfalfa, the testing was conducted using the standard EPPO method at the locations of Belegis and Putinci, in summer of 2010. The experimental design consisted of a completely randomized block with four replicates and with the main plot area of 400 m2. The abundance and distribution of small rodents populations at the experimental plots were determined on the basis of appearance and spatial distribution of active holes. The efficacy of different rodenticide formulations was evaluated according to the number of active holes 7, 14, and 28 days after treatment (DAT), using the Henderson- Tilton?s formula. The testing was done with the commercially available rodenticide formulations: (grain-based baits), RB (ready-to-use baits - pouches) and PT (pellets), containing 0.005% of active ingredient Bromodiolone. The monofactoral analysing of variance did not result in any statistically significant difference in efficacy of rodenticide formulations 7 DAT at the Belegis locality and 7 and 14 DAT at the Putinci locality. But, the statistically significant difference in efficacy of rodenticide formulations was observed at Belegis locality on the 14th day of the experiment. Also, at the end of experiment, the efficacy of rodenticide formulations significantly varied at both locations. Nominally, the lowest efficacy of 72.5% was exhibited by formulation, while the average efficacy of RB and PT formulations against mixed populations of common vole and striped field mouse in alfalfa was 88.3% and 77.7%, respectively. It is concluded that the use of RB formulation of Bromodiolone-based rodenticides can improve the control of rodent pests in alfalfa.

Feeding strategy of two rodent species in a set-aside field and its influence on alimentary tract morphometry

Mammalia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-40
Author(s):  
Marta Heroldova ◽  
Eva Janova
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
Green Plant ◽  
Diet Analysis ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Field Mouse ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
The Common

Abstract We examined the feeding strategy of two dominant rodents, the common vole (Microtus arvalis) and the pygmy field mouse (Apodemus uralensis), in set-aside fields over a period of 1 year. Diet analysis revealed dominance of green plant shoots in common vole’s diet and seeds in the diet of the pygmy field mouse. Food availability in the set-aside fields was strongly correlated with the diet of the herbivorous common vole, but not with that of the granivorous pygmy-field mouse. Both feeding strategies reflect specific morphological adaptations of the digestive tract of both species. A comparison of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT; length and mass without oesophagus; including contents) of the common vole and pygmy field mouse revealed a correlation between body size and length and the GIT weight in both species. The common vole had a proportionally heavier GIT with a larger of the common vole and pygmy field mouse relative proportion of caecum. The GIT length was proportionally greater in juvenile females, while the GIT weight was greater in adult females of both species. The GIT morphometry of both species varied with season and reproductive status, presumably as food consumed altered in line with vegetation phenology and the rodent’s energy requirements.

Habitat associations of small mammals in farmed landscapes: implications for agri-environmental schemes

2007 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvador Peris ◽  
Carlos Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
Wood Mouse ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Mus Spretus ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Eastern Area ◽  
Small Mammal Species

AbstractThe small mammal community in 21 localities of north-western Spain was evaluated in the light of land use composition. The two geomorphologic categories characterising the study area, the main use of the land (arable/pastoral) and main crop types of each sampling locality were used as potential predictors of the relative abundance of five common small mammal species. The Common vole, Microtus arvalis showed a weak relationship with land uses, probably due to the recent colonisation process this species experienced in the study area. The relative abundance of the Algerian mouse, Mus spretus and the Lusitanian pine vole, Microtus lusitanicus was best explained by models built at the broadest regional scale, the former being more abundant in the eastern area, the latter in the western area. The Greater white-toothed shrew, Crocidura russula showed a positive relationship with grassland coverage, whilst the Wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus benefited from increasing proportions of fallow lands within the landscape. These two species are then expected to respond positively to those agri-environmental schemes including the increase of fallows and grassy vegetation within the arable landscape (EU recommendations). However, further efforts are needed to predict, at least qualitatively, the response of other small mammal species to the changing farmed landscape. This is especially true for two endemic species occurring at this area: the Cabrera vole, Microtus cabrerae and the Lusitanian pine vole, and for which this kind of information is almost absent.

Long-eared owls roosted in the forest, still hunted in open land

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-119
Author(s):  
Filip Tulis ◽  
Michal Ševčík ◽  
Ján Obuch
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Human Settlements ◽  
Minimum Information ◽  
Human Attention ◽  
Open Land ◽  
Deep Forest ◽  
The Common ◽  
Owl Pellets

Abstract Long-eared owls’ winter roosts located within forest, compared to their winter roosts in human settlements, often escape human attention. Only minimum information has been published about winter roosts located deep in the forest. During the years 2005 to 2016, we collected long-eared owl pellets at irregularly occupied forest winter roosts. Compared to the diet at winter roosts in human settlements, the long-eared owls roosting in the forest surprisingly significantly more frequently hunted the common vole. Moreover, we did not record higher consumption of forest mammal species in the diet of owls at forest winter roosts. Long-eared owls roosting in human settlements hunted significantly more birds. The results show that, despite the location of deep forest winter roosts, long-eared owls preferred hunting the common vole, i.e. hunting in open agricultural land. The study also points out the lack of knowledge about winter roosts located deep in the forest.

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