Abstract
Simple SummaryThe aim of this paper is to biometrically analyse the cranial and somatic features of the Pannonian root vole in Slovakia and link body weight to selected cranial features. Somatic features indicate that specimens caught in Slovakia belong to the largest sub-species oeconomus. Overall, our results showed sexual dimorphism of all the somatic features observed in adult specimens, while the effect of seasonality was only seen in the average length of the body and tail. Thus, mean body and foot length appear stable in determining features despite the seasons. This study evaluated 25 skull and lower jaw measurements, representing the largest number of evaluated characteristics among Slovakia’s Pannonian root vole population. Linear regression of the weight and any of the three craniological features AMd, AMdm, and LCr is recommended in order to predict weight directly from them. This analysis is useful as a non-invasive method for analysing skeletal food remains that have been found in raptors and owls. Using the correlation between weight and body length makes it possible to analyse the Pannonian root vole population structure in greater detail, such as to classify specimens into age cohorts.The Pannonian root vole Alexandromys oeconomus ssp. mehelyi represents a rare glacial relict, whose occurrence is nowadays bound to several areas in Europe. Four somatic and 25 craniological features were analysed, based on 355 measured specimens. Sex is a significant factor affecting the average value of all four somatic features, where all of them achieve higher values in males than in females. While body length and tail length were also affected by seasons, body weight and the length of the hind foot were stable features present across the seasons. In cranial features, the largest variability in the adult population is characterised by neurocranium breadth (LaN), total length of the cranial base (LB), and skull (LCr); whereas the smallest variability of the cranial dimensions is reflected in the values of the greatest palatal breadth (PS) and postorbital breadth (Io). Calculating the weight from cranial remains may be used to estimate the size of the prey and to determine vole biomass consumed by predators, such as raptors, highlighting the utility of studying feeding ecology.
Highlights
The key to protecting and safeguarding the vitality of rare species is a detailed knowledge of their biology and ecology [1]
Our results point to changes in average body length of adults affected by the season in which they were captured and the gender of the voles
The body length of specimens caught in autumn was demonstrably greater than those captured in spring
Summary
The key to protecting and safeguarding the vitality of rare species is a detailed knowledge of their biology and ecology [1]. In addition to Slovakia, it is still native locally in Austria and in three isolated locations in Hungary [3] As mentioned above, this glacial relict of the Pannonian Plain is today quite rare—the threat status in Europe is Least Concern (IUCN) and in Red list of plants and animals of Slovakia Nature Conservation is rated as EN—an endangered species [4]. This glacial relict of the Pannonian Plain is today quite rare—the threat status in Europe is Least Concern (IUCN) and in Red list of plants and animals of Slovakia Nature Conservation is rated as EN—an endangered species [4] It is currently designated in Annex II and IV of the Habitat Directive (92/43/EEC) as a Species of European Interest. In Slovakia, the Pannonian root vole lives only in specific habitats, which are the remnants of former wetlands that have become more or less filled in or otherwise degraded
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