Abstract
The past and present relations between dormice (Myoxidae) and man were reviewed through an interdisciplinary approach. All the data available from several fields of research have been assembled in order to consider the influence of human civilisation on dormice as well as the importance of these rodents in ancient and rural economies. A remarkable human impact on the geographical distribution of some dormouse species (Myoxus @is and Muscardinus avellanarius) and their population density was suggested through an historical and biogeographical analysis, supported by paleontological data. An ethnozoological enquiry was carried out to describe the utilisation of dormice as food or medicine and the traditional hunting techniques, in Mediterranean and Afrotropical areas. An archaeozoological survey was attempted to describe the captive husbandry of dormice by the ancient Romans and to arrange an updated checklist of so called glirariri. The role of dormice as pests in agroforestry and in the transmission of diseases is discussed together with perspectives on wildlife management and conservation.
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