Apodemus Flavicollis Research Articles

Abundance and Population Structure of Small Rodents in Fruit and Berry Farms.

Fruit and berry farms are anthropogenic habitats still inhabited by small mammals, though their presence is constantly affected by agricultural activities. Based on trapping data from 2018-2022, we analyzed the abundance and population structure of the dominant rodent species to assess changes in gender and age ratios by year and habitat, the annual and seasonal dynamics of relative abundance, and the relationship between breeding parameters and abundance. The relative abundance of the dominant species, common vole, yellow-necked mouse, striped field mouse, and bank vole, and their proportion in the investigated community varied according to year, season, and habitat. No outbreaks were recorded during the study period. The abundance of the striped field mouse exhibited a downward trend independently of habitat, while the abundance and proportions of the other three species were habitat-dependent. There was no consistent pattern between litter size and relative abundance in the same or following years. Given the ongoing conflict between biodiversity conservation in Europe and agriculture, the results contribute to a better understanding of the functioning and viability of rodent populations in fruit farms and may be used in agroecology and sustainable farming.

Seroprevalence of Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) Virus Antibodies in Wild Rodents from Two Natural TBE Foci in Bavaria, Germany

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is Eurasia's most important tick-borne viral disease. Rodents play an important role as natural hosts. Longitudinal studies on the dynamics of the seroprevalence rates in wild rodents in natural foci over the year are rare, and the dynamics of the transmission cycle still need to be understood. To better understand the infection dynamics, rodents were captured in a capture-mark-release-recapture-study in two natural foci in Bavaria, Germany, monthly from March 2019 to October 2022. Overall, 651 blood and thoracic lavage samples from 478 different wild rodents (Clethrionomys glareolus and Apodemus flavicollis) were analyzed for antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIFA) and confirmed using a serum neutralization test (SNT). Furthermore, a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) analysis was performed to investigate ecological and individual factors for the probability of infection in rodents. Clethrionomys glareolus (19.4%) had a higher seroprevalence than A. flavicollis (10.5%). Within Cl. glareolus, more males (40.4%) than females (15.6%) were affected, and more adults (25.4%) than juveniles (9.8%). The probability of infection of rodents rather depends on factors such as species, sex, and age than on the study site of a natural focus, year, and season. The high incidence rates of rodents, particularly male adult bank voles, highlight their critical role in the transmission cycle of TBEV in a natural focus and demonstrate that serologically positive rodents can be reliably detected in a natural focus regardless of season or year. In addition, these data contribute to a better understanding of the TBEV cycle and thus could improve preventive strategies for human infections.

Why are predator cues in the field not more evocative? A ‘real world’ assay elicits subtle, but meaningful, responses by wild rodents to predator scents

Mismatches between highly-standardized laboratory predatory assays and more realistic environmental conditions may lead to different outcomes. Understanding rodents’ natural responses to predator scents is important. Thus, field studies on the same and related species are essential to corroborate laboratory findings to better understand the contexts and motivational drives that affect laboratory responses to predator scents. However, there are too few field assays to enable researchers to study factors that influence these responses in genetically variable populations of wild rodents. Therefore, we placed laboratory-style chambers and remote-sensing devices near multiple colonies of two species of wild mice (Apodemus agrarius and Apodemus flavicollis) to test dual-motivational drives (appetitive and aversive) in a ‘familiar’, yet natural environment. A highly-palatable food reward was offered daily alongside scents from coyotes, lions, rabbits, and both wet and dry controls. In all but two instances (n = 264), animals entered chambers and remained inside for several minutes. Animals initiated flight twice, but they never froze. Rather, they visited chambers more often and stayed inside longer when predatory scents were deployed. The total time spent inside was highest for lion urine (380% longer than the dry control), followed by coyote scent (75% longer), dry control and lastly, herbivore scents (no difference). Once inside the chamber, animals spent more time physically interacting with predatory scents than the herbivore scent or controls. Our findings support the common assumption that rodents fail to respond as overtly to predatory scents in the field compared to what has been observed in the laboratory, possibly due to their varying motivational levels to obtain food. More time spent interacting with scents in the field was likely a function of ‘predator inspection’ (risk assessment) once subjects were in a presumed safe enclosure. We conclude this sort of chamber assay can be useful in understanding the contexts and motivational drives inherent to field studies, and may help interpret laboratory results. Our results also suggest more attention should be given to subtle behaviors such as scent inspection in order to better understand how, and when, environmental stimuli evoke fear in rodents.

Мониторинг солнечного орла в национальном парке «Хвалынский» (Саратовская область, Россия)

Мониторинг солнечного орла в национальном парке «Хвалынский» (Саратовская область, Россия)

Small mammals in the diet of the tawny owl Strix aluco in selected sites of the Biebrza Basin and Knyszyn Forest in north-eastern Poland.

The analysis of pellets of the tawny owl Strix aluco collected in the years 2009–2023 in 22 sites (ten in the Biebrza Basin and twelve in Knyszyn Forest) allowed for finding four species of Soricomorpha, nine species of Chiroptera and fifteen species of Rodentia (4, 5 and 12 in the Biebrza Basin and 4, 7 and 13 in Knyszyn Forest, respectively). Most common and most frequently caught by owls were: the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus, the yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis and the common shrew Sorex araneus. Valuable species of bats included the pond bat Myotis dasycneme and the western barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus noted in Knyszyn Forest. Rare rodents found in both study areas were: the northern birch mouse Sicista betulina and the common dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius while the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula was noted only in Knyszyn Forest. The European water vole Arvicola amphibius commonly noted in the Biebrza Basin was not found in Knyszyn Forest. On the contrary, the common pine vole Microtus subterraneus was reecorded only in Knyszyn Forest.

Terrestrial and Subterranean Mammals as Reservoirs of Zoonotic Diseases in the Central Part of European Russia

Russia has a number of historical foci of zoonotic anthropogenic diseases. In Central Russia, the Republic of Mordovia is one of such areas, a region being known to have foci of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and tularemia. It therefore requires continuous monitoring. The role of small terrestrial mammals as reservoirs of zoonoses has been previously proven for the region. The aim of this work is to take an integrated approach to assess the role of terrestrial and subterranean small mammals. Subterranean mammals are often not considered important reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens that cause human morbidity. Among small mammals in the wild environment, the bank vole, the yellow-necked mouse and the house mouse play important roles as vectors of zoonoses. Among wild subterranean mammals, the greater mole rat is important as a vector of tularemia and HFRS. We analyzed homogenized internal organs of these animals (lungs, spleen, kidneys). Of all samples from the greater mole rat, 83% were positive for tularemia antigens and 17% were positive forHFRS. None of the analyzed European moles had antigens of tularemia and HFRS. No double infection with both tularemia and hantavirus was detected in the subterranean mammals. Double infection was found among terrestrial mammals in the bank vole and the forest dormouse.

Distribution of Rodent Species (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Zonguldak Province, Turkey

To know rodent species in an area is important in wildlife management studies, forestry applications, conservation purposes, and public health studies because of some rodent-borne diseases. To determine rodent species and their distribution in Zonguldak was aimed to supply a detailed inventory data and distribution maps for further studies in future. Samples were collected mostly by Sherman traps, and rarely conventional cage-like traps, phototraps, or visually from 33 localities that represent different habitat types, between 2009 and 2016. A total of 427 specimens from 15 species were evaluated. These species are: Sciurus anomalus, Myodes glareolus, Microtus subterraneus, M. levis, Apodemus flavicollis, A. sylvaticus, A. uralensis, A. witherbyi, A. mystacinus, Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, Mus domesticus, M. macedonicus, Glis glis and Muscardinus avellanarius. Of them S. anomalus, M. levis, A. uralensis, M. macedonicus and M. avellanarius were recorded by primary data for the first time from Zonguldak. According to the results, Sciurus anomalus, Apodemus flavicollis and Glis glis are the most common species by being recorded from 13, 12 and 9 localities, respectively. Among the 33 localities trapped, Kurtköy and Beldibi areas have highest number of rodent species by each having 7 species. Trap Night Index (TNI) was calculated to find the most caught rodent species, the overall trap success for rodents caught and the localities where the majority of rodent samples were caught. TNI was calculated as 21.43 for seven of the localities studied. Skull and pelage morphology (pectoral spot expressions, the posterior end of the palatal bone, pterygoid process, fronto-parietal suture and upper molar crown patterns) were used to identify Apodemus species. Morphological evaluations of Apodemus specimens verified the occurrence of A. sylvaticus in Asiatic Turkey.

Rustrela virus infection - An emerging neuropathogen of red-necked wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus).

The rustrela virus (RusV) was recently described as a novel pathogen in a circumscribed area of northern Germany close to the Baltic Sea. Up to now, the virus has been detected in cases of fatal non-suppurative meningoencephalitis in zoo animals of different species and a single wild carnivore as well as in apparently healthy yellow-necked field mice (Apodemus flavicollis). Data regarding the background of this previously undiscovered pathogen, including clinical presentation of the disease, host range and distribution of the virus, are still limited. Here, three euthanized red-necked wallabies (Macropus rufogriseus) from zoos of different areas in northeastern Germany were submitted for necropsy after presenting with apathy and therapeutically unresponsive neurological signs. A moderate to severe, non-suppurative meningoencephalitis was diagnosed in all three cases. RusV was consistently detected via RT-qPCR and RNA in situ hybridization in the brains of all wallabies. Other commonly known neuropathogens could not be detected.

Host-Parasite Relationship-Nematode Communities in Populations of Small Mammals.

Simple SummaryIntestinal nematodes were analyzed in three small rodent species: Apodemus sylvaticus, Apodemus flavicollis, and Myodes glareolus. In total, 15 species of nematodes were identified. We studied the relationship between the parasitological parameters (individual parasite species richness IndPSR and individual parasite load IndPL) and morphological characteristics (body mass, body condition index BCI, and spleen mass). In all of the studied species, our results showed that animals in a better condition (BCI) had significantly higher parasite species richness, as we had expected. Furthermore, we showed that females of the same BCI as males were parasitized with more parasite species in A. flavicollis. Contrary to our expectations, the spleen mass did not reflect changes in the level of parasitism, but in M. glareolus, a smaller spleen was related to a higher parasite load. Since the spleen is just part of the complex immune response, it is possible that the presence of nematode parasite species provokes, in small rodent species, a response at the other levels of the immune system.Nematode burdens and variation in morphological characteristics were assessed in eighty-eight animals from three host species (Apodemus sylvaticus, Apodemus flavicollis, and Myodes glareolus) from eight localities in Serbia. In total, 15 species of nematodes were identified, and the overall mean parasite species richness (IndPSR) was 1.61 per animal (1.98 in A. flavicollis, 1.43 in M. glareolus, and 0.83 in A. sylvaticus). Furthermore, the studied host species significantly differed in individual parasite load (IndPL) and in the following morphological characters: spleen mass, body condition index (BCI), and body mass. We aimed to analyze the relationship between the burden of intestinal nematodes, on one hand, and the body conditions of the host and its capability to develop immune defends on the other. Spleen mass was considered as a measure of immune response. In all host species, larger animals with a better condition (higher BCI) were infected with more parasites species (IndPSR), while parasite load was not related to BCI. Only in A. flavicollis were males significantly larger, but females of the same sizes were infected with more parasite species. This female-biased parasitism is contrary to the theoretical expectation that males should be more parasitized, being larger, more active, with a wider home range. Although the spleen size was significantly correlated with body condition and body mass, IndPSR was not related to spleen mass in any studied species, but in M. galareolus, we found that a smaller spleen was related to higher infection intensity (IndPL).

Bartonella spp. detection in laelapid (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) mites collected from small rodents in Lithuania.

The genus Bartonella contains facultative Gram-negative intracellular bacteria from the family Bartonellaceae that can cause diseases in humans and animals. Various Bartonella species have been detected in rodents' ectoparasites, such as fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. However, the role of laelapid mites (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) as carriers of Bartonella spp. needs to be confirmed. We aimed to investigate the presence of Bartonella spp. in laelapid mites collected from small rodents in Lithuania using real-time PCR targeting the transfer-messenger RNA/tmRNA (ssrA) gene and to characterize Bartonella strains using nested PCR and sequence analysis of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic transcribed spacer region (ITS). A total of 271 laelapid mites of five species (Laelaps agilis, Haemogamasus nidi, Eulaelaps stabularis, Myonyssus gigas, and Hyperlaelaps microti) were collected from five rodent species (Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus agrarius, Clethrionomys glareolus, Micromys minutus, and Microtus oeconomus) during 2015-2016. Bartonella DNA was detected in three mite species L. agilis, M. gigas, and Hg. nidi with an overall prevalence of 11.4%. Sequence analysis of the 16S-23S rRNA ITS region revealed the presence of Bartonella taylorii in L. agilis, Hg. nidi, and M. gigas, and Bartonella grahamii in L. agilis. Our results suggest that laelapid mites are involved in the maintenance of rodent-associated Bartonella spp. in nature. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the presence of Bartonella spp. DNA in laelapid mites from small rodents.

Vegetation cover and spatial distribution of small mammals in the conditions of woodland large city park (Nizhny Novgorod)

The paper is devoted to the study of ecological connectivity vegetation cover and microtine rodents spatial distribution in the conditions of the Nizhny Novgorod woodland park. The oak forest of National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod Botanical Garden with partial anthropogenic transformation was chosen as a site of the study. We used five various plant communities represented by linden trees. The dominant in all ecosystems on the test areas is the red vole (73%), the codominant is the pygmy wood mouse (21%). The yellow-necked mouse has been observed only in several communities. It has been revealed that a decrease in the biodiversity of plant communities due to an increase in the degree of individual species dominance marked by BergerParker index doesnt entail significant negative consequences for small mammals. It is possible that the dominants in vegetation cover create a favorable microclimate for small mammals. The PCA analysis shows the presence of two significant factors for the distribution of microtine rodents. The first factor is associated with the balance of humidity and illumination, the second with nitrogen availability in combination with low illumination. The ecological divergence of niches in two species of mice (pygmy wood mouse and yellow-necked mouse) was observed. In relation to the projective cover, the bank vole occurs both at very high (90%) and low (30%) values, which confirms the ecological plasticity of that species. For yellow-necked and pygmy wood mice, the optimal values of projective cover in studied communities range from 70 to 90%. However, yellow-necked mice can also live in plant communities with a plant cover index about 4050%.

From trees to fleas: masting indirectly affects flea abundance on a rodent host.

Mast seeding causes strong fluctuations in populations of forest animals. Thus, this phenomenon can be used as a natural experiment to examine how variation in host abundance affects parasite loads. We investigated fleas infesting yellow-necked mice in beech forest after 2 mast and 2 non-mast years. We tested 2 mutually exclusive scenarios: (1) as predicted by classical models of density-dependent transmission, an increase in host density will cause an increase in ectoparasite abundance (defined as the number of parasites per host), versus (2) an increase in host density will cause a decline in flea abundance ("dilution," which is thought to occur when parasite population growth is slower than that of the host). In addition, we assessed whether masting alters the relationship between host traits (sex and body mass) and flea abundance. We found a hump-shaped relationship between host and flea abundance. Thus, the most basic predictions are too simple to describe ectoparasite dynamics in this system. In addition, masting modified seasonal dynamics of flea abundance, but did not affect the relationship between host traits and flea abundance (individuals with the highest body mass hosted the most fleas; after controlling for body mass, parasite abundance did not vary between sexes). Our results demonstrate that pulses of tree reproduction can indirectly, through changes in host densities, drive patterns of ectoparasite infestation.

Wild micromammal host spectrum of zoonotic eukaryotic parasites in Spain. Occurrence and genetic characterisation.

Micromammals have historically been recognized as highly contentious species in terms of the maintenance and transmission of zoonotic pathogens to humans. Limited information is currently available on the epidemiology and potential public health significance of intestinal eukaryotes in wild micromammals. We examined 490 faecal samples, grouped into 155 pools, obtained from 11 micromammal species captured in 11 Spanish provinces for the presence of DNA from Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Blastocystis sp. The presence of Leishmania spp. was investigated in individual spleen samples. All micromammal species investigated harboured infections by at least one eukaryotic parasite, except Apodemus flavicollis, Myodes glareolus, Sorex coronatus and Sciurus vulgaris, but the sample size for these host species was very low. Cryptosporidium spp. was the most prevalent species found (3.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.2-5.7), followed by G. duodenalis (2.8%, 95% CI: 1.6-4.6) and E. bieneusi (2.6%, 95% CI: 1.4-4.3). All pooled faecal samples tested negative for Blastocystis sp. Leishmania infantum was identified in 0.41% (95% CI: 0.05-1.46) of the 490 individual spleen samples analysed. Sequence analyses allowed the identification of Cryptosporidium andersoni (5.9%), C. ditrichi (11.7%), C. muris (5.9%), C. parvum (5.9%), C. tyzzeri (5.9%), rat genotypes CR97 (5.9%) and W19 (5.9%), vole genotypes V (11.7%) and VII (5.9%) and Cryptosproridium spp. (35.3%) within Cryptosporidium (n = 17). Known genotypes C (66.7%) and Peru11 (25.0%) and a novel genotype (named MouseSpEb1, 8.3%) were detected within E. bieneusi (n = 12). None of the G. duodenalis-positive samples could be genotyped at the assemblage level. Molecular data indicate that wild micromammals were primarily infected by rodent-adapted species/genotypes of eukaryotic pathogens and thereby have a limited role as a source of human infections. The presence of ruminant-adapted species C. andersoni along with finding C. parvum is indicative of an overlap between domestic/peri-domestic and sylvatic transmission cycles of these agents.

Variation of Rodents’ Body Temperature across Elevation in Alps

AbstractUnderstanding the physiological adaptations of animals living in mountain landscapes is a key to predicting the responses of individuals to environmental changes, especially those imposed by climate. In this regard, the mechanism of body temperature regulation is particularly important in determining the physiological limits for activity under hypoxic and climatic stressful conditions. Numerous studies have shown that body temperature of rodents and other animals decreases with elevation and with extreme winter temperatures. But surprisingly, it is still not known how body temperature of wild animals varies along elevation during their reproductive seasons. We studied variation in core body temperature among individuals () of four rodent species (Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus sylvaticus, Apodemus alpicola, Myodes glareolus) and its association with elevation (from 400 to 1,822 m asl), accounting for variation in environment temperature, microhabitat structure, body condition, and sex. Results showed a strong positive effect of elevation and a more limited effect of environmental temperature on rodents' body temperature during spring and summer. The effect of elevation on body temperature was influenced neither by interactions with environmental temperature or sex nor by the microhabitat structure. We suggest that in normothermic condition at high elevations, small mammals experiencing hypoxic exposure might show physiological adjustments for increasing efficiency of thermoregulation in low oxygen conditions.

Identification of Dobrava-Belgrade Virus in Apodemus flavicollis from North-Eastern Italy during Enhanced Mortality.

Hantaviruses include several zoonotic pathogens that cause different syndromes in humans, with mortality rates ranging from 12 to 40%. Most commonly, humans get infected through the inhalation of aerosols or dust particles contaminated with virus-containing rodent excreta. Hantaviruses are specifically associated with the host species, and human cases depend on the presence and the dynamics of reservoir hosts. In this letter, we report the identification of Dobrava-Belgrade virus (DOBV) in the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) from Italy. The virus was detected in the mountainous area of the province of Udine, bordering Austria and Slovenia, during an event of enhanced mortality in wild mice and voles. Despite serological evidence in rodents and humans that suggested the circulation of hantaviruses in Italy since 2000, this is the first virological confirmation of the infection. Phylogenetic analyses across the whole genome of the two detected viruses confirmed the host-specificity of DOBV sub-species and showed the highest identity with viruses identified in Slovenia and Croatia from both A. flavicollis and humans, with no signs of reassortment. These findings highlight the need for ecologists, veterinarians and medical doctors to come together in a coordinated approach in full compliance with the One Health concept.

Diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks and small mammals from different habitats

BackgroundIxodid ticks are important vectors for zoonotic pathogens, with Ixodes ricinus being the most important in Europe. Rodents are hosts of immature life stages of I. ricinus ticks and are considered main reservoirs for tick-borne pathogens, e.g. Borrelia burgdorferi. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence as well as genospecies and sequence type (ST) diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks and small mammals from central Germany and to elaborate on the influence of environmental and/or individual host and vector factors on Borrelia prevalence.MethodsAfter species identification, 1167 small mammal skin samples and 1094 ticks from vegetation were screened by B. burgdorferi sensu lato real-time polymerase chain reaction, and positive samples were characterized by multilocus sequence typing. Generalized linear (mixed) models were used to estimate how seasonality, small mammal species/tick life stage and habitat affect individual infection status.ResultsIn total, 10 small mammal species and three tick species, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes inopinatus (both considered members of the I. ricinus complex) and Dermacentor reticulatus, were investigated. Borrelia DNA was detected in eight host species, i.e. the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), the yellow-necked field mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), the water vole (Arvicola amphibius), the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), the field vole (Microtus agrestis), the common vole (Microtus arvalis), and the common shrew (Sorex araneus). Two species were Borrelia negative, the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) and the pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus). The average prevalence was 6.2%, with two genospecies detected, Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii, and at least three STs that had not been previously reported in small mammals. Borrelia prevalence in small mammals did not differ between seasons. Six genospecies of Borrelia—Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia valaisiana, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia lusitaniae, Borrelia spielmanii, and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto—and 25 STs of Borrelia, of which 12 have not been previously described at all and five have not been previously reported in Germany, were detected in 13% of I. ricinus complex ticks. Prevalence was highest in adult females (25.3%) and lowest in nymphs (11.4%). Prevalence was significantly higher in ticks from grassland (16.8%) compared to forests (11.4%).ConclusionsThe high level of small mammal diversity in this region of Germany seems to be reflected in a wide variety of genospecies and STs of B. burgdorferi.Graphical abstract

Some features of small mammalian’s ectoparasite communities formation in the mixed forests of the Nizhny Novgorod Region

The paper deals with some features of small mammalians ectoparasite communities formation in the mixed forests of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. It has been shown that on rodents and insectivores in the mixed forests and in the ecotone community from forest to agrocoenosis typical ectoparasite communities are observed. Only rare species demonstrate specificity in the choice of hosts. Two species of rodents Myodes glareolus and Apodemus flavicollis, being typically forest species, are characterized by the highest biodiversity of ectoparasites and high rates of their abundance. The presence of the same species of ectoparasites on the different species of small mammals indicates possible contacts between rodents and insectivores in the ecosystem and exchange of parasites. Using the method of principal components (PCA), the factors influencing parasite community have been identified. It has been shown that out of 10 factors influencing the small mammalian ectoparasites community, 5 are the most significant. Many factors influence the communities of ectoparasites of small mammals. The degree of that effect depends on different mammalian and mites biology. Factors regulate the number of parasite populations, and as a result, stable communities functioning for a long time are formed. Parasites, not showing specificity in the choice of hosts during interspecific contacts of animals in biocoenoses, spread from forest habitats to neighboring territories.

Spatiotemporal Variation of Small Mammal Communities in Commercial Orchards across the Small Country

The diversity of small mammal communities is a measure of the sustainability of habitats, especially agricultural ones. Based on 2018–2020 data from 18 sites in Lithuania, we analysed factors related to diversity of such a community, specifically the relative abundances and proportions of common vole, striped field mouse, yellow-necked mouse, and bank vole. We assessed the influence of location (central, northern, eastern, southern, and western parts of the country), habitat type (orchards, berry plantations, control habitats), the year and season. The model explained 14.8–33.4% of the listed parameters with p < 0.005 or higher, with the exception of the dominance index and the proportion of the common vole. Time factor (year and season, p < 0.001) and site location (p < 0.05) had the highest influences, while that of habitat type was less significant. The results of this and the former research suggest that commercial orchards play a role in maintaining the diversity and abundance of small mammal communities in the agrolandscapes.

Diet/Hair and Diet/Faeces Trophic Discrimination Factors for Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes, and Hair Regrowth in the Yellow-Necked Mouse and Bank Vole

We conducted a nonlethal feeding experiment to measure diet/hair and diet/faeces trophic discrimination factors (TDFs) in two rodent species fed two diet types. The mean TDFs between diet and hair (expressed as δ13C/δ15N) were 2.14‰/3.44‰ for C3 plant-based fodder and 2.65‰/3.25‰ for fodder with 30% animal (insect) matter in yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) and 1.66‰/4.67‰ for C3 plant-based fodder and 1.94‰/4.49‰ for fodder with 30% animal (insect) matter in bank voles (Myodes glareolus). As compared with the diet, faeces were depleted in 13C by about 0.75‰ and enriched in 15N by about 2‰. All bank voles and only half of yellow-necked mice had regrown hair at the end of the study (day 95). We analysed archived skins of those species and confirmed, that moult in bank voles is more intensive. Our results can be used for trophic studies of temperate-forest rodents and for meta-analyses on trophic discrimination.

FEATURES OF THE LIFE CYCLE OF ALARIA ALATA (TREMATODA, STRIGEIDIDA) IN THE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE CENTRAL BLACK-SOIL REGION: PARATENIC HOSTS

New data were obtained on the implementation of the Alaria alata life cycle in the conditions of the Central Black-Soil Region. Based on the materials of our research, paratenic hosts of A. alata were identified: Natrix natrix, Vipera berus, Neovison vison, Myodes glareolus. Alaria mesocercariae were observed in all the studied Natrix natrix (27 specimens) and Vipera berus (7 specimens) with the extensiveness of infestation (EI) of 100%. Intensity of infestation (II) averaged 12.0 specimens in N. natrix (2–18 specimens) and 261.3 specimens (12–627 specimens) in V. berus. Alaria mesocercariae were found in the Neovison vison with localization mainly in the esophagus, subcutaneous tissue, striated muscles, and serous integuments. The maximum number of mesocercariae was found in the esophagus – 50 specimens. The M. glareolus was registered as a paratenic host of A. alata with localization of mesocercariae in the M. glareolus in the esophagus. Taking into account the earlier helminthofaunistic materials on the study of the life cycle of A. alata conducted in the Voronezh Region and adjacent areas, other species of mammals were also registered as paratenic hosts. Mesocercariae have been recorded in Sus scrofa, mouse-like rodents: M. glareolus and Microtus arvalis, mice: Apodemus uralensis, Apodemus flavicollis and A. agrarius, Dryomys nitedula and Castor fiber.