Microtus Arvalis Research Articles

Diet and reproductive outputs of common barn-owl (Tyto alba) during the common vole (Microtus arvalis) outbreak and crash

Diet and reproductive outputs of common barn-owl (Tyto alba) during the common vole (Microtus arvalis) outbreak and crash

Small mammals near Janowiec nad Wisłą (middle-eastern Poland) on the basis of prey composition of the tawny owl Strix aluco and long-eared owl Asio otus

At two sites near Janowiec nad Wisłą (middle-eastern Poland) the species composition of a small mammal community in the diet of the tawny owl Strix aluco and long-eared owl Asio otus has been examined. The bones of 128 mammals have been extracted from S. aluco pellets gathered in the years 2014-2015, whereas 401 mammals have been extracted from A. otus pellets collected in the years 2023-2024. Dominant species in the diet of S. aluco (the site bordering woodland) were Clethrionomys glareolus (31.3%), Apodemus agrarius (16.4%) and Apodemus flavicollis (12.5%), while in the case of A. otus (the site bordering open landscape) Microtus arvalis (55.1%) appeared most frequent. Altogether 16 species were recorded representing: Soricomorpha (4), Chiroptera (1), Rodentia (10) and Carnivora (1). Two bats caught as prey belonged to the species of Myotis nattereri, common in this part of Poland. Most interesting species were Crocidura leucodon, whose recorded sites are near its range limit, and Muscardinus avellanarius – the species infrequently recorded in central and eastern Poland.

ГАМАЗОВЫЕ КЛЕЩИ (GAMASINA) ГНЕЗД ОБЫКНОВЕННОЙ ПОЛЕВКИ ПРИСЕВАНСКОГО МЕЗООЧАГА ЗАКАВКАЗСКОГО ВЫСОКОГОРНОГО ПРИРОДНОГО ОЧАГА ЧУМЫ

The paper highlights new data on the species composition of gamasid ticks living in the nests of the common vole of the Prisevan meso-foci of the Transcaucasian high-mountain natural plague foci of the Republic of Armenia. As a result of the research conducted in the studied territory, the fauna of gamasid ticks is represented by nine species, including two species that were not previously found in the nests of the common vole. Key words: gamasid ticks, common vole, parasitic arthropods, Prisevan meso-foci, Transcaucasian high-mountain natural plague foci.

Variation in small mammal food resource niche metrics of Western Barn Owl (Tyto alba) at the nesting pair and local population level

Abstract In the present study, we investigated food resource niche parameters and the degree of specialization of two local Western Barn Owl (Tyto alba) populations in two different demographic phases as the crash (2015–2016) and outbreak (2019–2020) of the Common Vole (Microtus arvalis). The study was conducted in two parts of the Transdanubian region of Hungary, namely in Duna-Drava National Park (DDNP) in the southeastern part, and in Fertő-Hanság National Park (FHNP) in the north-western part. For the analysis, we used food consumption data of 20–20 randomly selected breeding pairs from the DDNP population, while 14 and 17 breeding pairs in FHNP population in the crash and outbreak periods, respectively. Since the small mammal consumption of owls represented 99.3% of the total number of individuals, only data of small mammals as main food resource were taken into account during the analysis. Based on a trait-based framework which taking into account the resemblance between resources, Rao’s quadratic entropy metrics was used to estimate the food resource niche breadth at local owl populations and the breeding pair level. The small mammal resource utilization of owls was dependent on populations. The niche breadth of DDNP population was significantly smaller than FHNP population. The estimated niche overlap at the individual level was significantly different between the two populations. The calculated value of specialization of barn owl populations was significantly higher in north-western than south-eastern population. The niche breadth of the owl population living in the DDNP was significantly higher during the crash period. In contrast, the estimated niche breadth of the population living in FHNP did not differ significantly between the two demographic phases. Based on our result, the applied trait-based framework of resource niche pattern analysis demonstrated that the differences of niche breadth were explored in more detail by this method between the local Barn Owl populations of different geographical region.

The Ecology of Sibling Species of the Common Vole (Microtus arvalis Pall. and Microtus rossiaemeridionalis Ognev) at the Northern Limit of Its Range

The Ecology of Sibling Species of the Common Vole (Microtus arvalis Pall. and Microtus rossiaemeridionalis Ognev) at the Northern Limit of Its Range

To the Ecology of Species-Double of Common Vole (<i>Microtus arvalis</i>, Pall.) at the Northern Limit of the Range

Based on long-term expeditionary and stationary studies in the taiga Northwest of Russia, the features of distribution, biotopic distribution, reproduction, population dynamics and other ecological features of the common voles are characterized, including those associated with its habitat at the northern boundaries of the range. It is established that in the past fiftieth anniversary the northern boundary of its distribution first moved to the north and reached 63°40′ s. and then also quickly retreated to the south. The reason for the latter is a sharp reduction in crop areas, primarily cereals, in connection with the reorientation of agriculture to dairy and vegetable. This, as well as the replacement of the common voles by native rodent species (housekeeper, dark and red-breasted voles) caused a sharp decrease in the abundance and narrowing of the species range in the eastern regions of Fennoscandia. In the taiga Northwest of Russia during the snowless period, the common voles live primarily in open habitats, including horticultural plots, and in winter they concentrate in haystacks and in straw stacks, where they live together with other representatives of the Microtus. According to V.V. Gromov [2008] and our observations, the elementary structural unit in the settlements of the common voles, is a family group occupying a limited habitat that has been in operation for a fairly long time. In the diet, the main role is played by the participation of herbaceous plants (72% of the occurrence), the smaller – seeds (25%) and a very rare component – tree bark (3%). Under the conditions of the northern periphery, the range reproduces only during one, rather limited, spring-summer season. The age and sex composition of the population varies by season.

Wintering Great White Egrets Ardea alba in a riverine area in the Netherlands: numbers, abundance and timing

ABSTRACT Capsule The riverine area in the Netherlands is an important wintering area for Great White Egrets Ardea alba. Numbers decline in relation to very cold weather, and increase in relation to peaks in population cycles of Common Vole Microtus arvalis. Aim To analyse the variation in abundance and timing of wintering Great White Egrets between years and roosts. Methods The study area was a 21,000 ha section of the riverine area between the rivers Meuse and Waal. The paper presents the results of eight years of weekly counts of three roosts, one year of 10 roosts and seven years of nearly daily counts of foraging birds in an agricultural landscape. All surveys were carried out outside the breeding season. Results Birds used the area from the end of June until the beginning of April. Abundance strongly varied with small rodent prey availability, with maxima between 15 and 50 birds in years with average prey abundance, and a maximum of 125 individuals in 2019/2020 when prey availability was high. Since most birds foraged on grassland, this suggests a density of two birds per 100 ha in normal years and eight birds per 100 ha in peak years. Each roost covers a foraging area of 2000 ha in total, or 1000 ha grassland. Mean densities were similar between years but there was seasonal variation, with most roost counts peaking during autumn. Birds would temporarily leave the area during spells of snow or frost. In spring, departure towards the breeding grounds was partly dependent on the mean temperature in March. Conclusion Counts of Great White Egrets at roosting and foraging sites in the Netherlands vary seasonally with temperature and prey availability.

Local Effects of Nest-Boxes for Avian Predators over Common Vole Abundance during a Mid-Density Outbreak.

At the end of the 20th century, the common vole (Microtus arvalis) colonized the practical totality of agricultural ecosystems in the northern sub-plateau of the Iberian Peninsula. To prevent crop damage, chemical control campaigns using anticoagulant rodenticides have been employed. This approach has a high environmental impact, and it has been banned in most countries in the European Union, including Spain. It is therefore essential to analyze alternative methods with lower environmental impacts. Here we explored the efficacy of biological control by avian predators to reduce vole abundance by providing nest-boxes in croplands. We used an indirect index based on the presence/absence of vole activity signs to measure the effect of nest-boxes on common vole abundance. We found that vole abundance was significantly lower near occupied nest-boxes at distances less than 180 m, where vole abundance increases progressively with increasing distance to the nearest nest-box. We also observed that the predatory pressure negatively affects the vole abundance at the end of the breeding period, considering the total number of fledglings. However, the effect of nest-boxes was highly variable depending on the study area and more limited in alfalfa fields, the optimal habitat for voles in agrarian ecosystems. Thus, nest-box supplementation would be a feasible measure for the biological control of the common vole in Mediterranean ecosystems, but it needs improvements for vole control in alfalfa fields within an integrated pest control program. We provide several recommendations to improve the performance of biological control in alfalfa fields.

Owl-mediated diploendozoochorous seed dispersal increases dispersal distance and supports seedling establishment

Seed dispersal is an essential process contributing to the maintenance of plant populations. Zoochory is a widespread way of plant dispersal in every terrestrial ecosystem that can ensure the long-distance dispersal of seeds. Secondary seed dispersal (SSD) by far-ranging raptors is a special type of zoochory, which might have a role in colonizing new habitats. We used the barn owl (Tyto alba) as model species to test the effectivity and seasonality of SSD in open semi-natural landscapes. We collected 582 pellets from six sites in East-Hungary throughout one year. We identified prey items in the pellets and determined the viable seed content of the pellets by germination experiments. We found that herbivorous Microtus arvalis L. was the most abundant prey item through which most of the seeds spread. Owls dispersed the seeds of generalist and disturbance-tolerant plants, indicating the habitat type where small mammals occur abundantly. In another experiment we tested the effect of the pellet material on the seedling survival and found that prey remains enhanced establishment of seedlings. Our study suggests that SSD by barn owl is occasional but important event in long-distance seed dispersal. Since the studied owl species uses several habitat types and has larger mobility than the rodents, the revealed dispersal mechanism can considerably increase seed dispersal distance and seed exchange between habitat types.

Epizootic and epidemiological situation of hemorrhagic ever with renal syndrome in the Rostov region (2020–2022)

Objective: evaluation of the epizootic and epidemiological situation for HFRS in the Rostov region. Materials and methods: from 2020 to 2022, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to study the presence of hantavirus antigens in samples of small mammals and class G immunoglobulins in the blood sera of healthy donors. Results: epizootological monitoring conducted in 35 administrative districts of the region and in the vicinity of Rostov-on-Don (2157 animals, 15 species) revealed the circulation of hantaviruses in populations of small mammals. Infection with hantaviruses of six species of mammals was registered: house mouse, common vole, yellow-bellied mouse, European forest mouse, East European vole, small forest mouse. 1062 blood samples from residents of various regions of the region were tested. Class G antibodies to hantaviruses were detected in 7.0%, 4.5%, 7.1% in different years. Conclusions: the coincidence in the territories of Azovsky, Kamensky, Neklinovsky, Salsky, Morozovsky districts of positive findings of the hantavirus antigen in samples of small mammals and seropositive samples of donors suggests the presence of a natural focus of HFRS, the establishment of boundaries and activity of which needs further research.

Mapping small mammal optimal habitats using satellite-derived proxy variables and species distribution models.

Small mammal species play an important role influencing vegetation primary productivity and plant species composition, seed dispersal, soil structure, and as predator and/or prey species. Species which experience population dynamics cycles can, at high population phases, heavily impact agricultural sectors and promote rodent-borne disease transmission. To better understand the drivers behind small mammal distributions and abundances, and how these differ for individual species, it is necessary to characterise landscape variables important for the life cycles of the species in question. In this study, a suite of Earth observation derived metrics quantifying landscape characteristics and dynamics, and in-situ small mammal trapline and transect survey data, are used to generate random forest species distribution models for nine small mammal species for study sites in Narati, China and Sary Mogul, Kyrgyzstan. These species distribution models identify the important landscape proxy variables driving species abundance and distributions, in turn identifying the optimal conditions for each species. The observed relationships differed between species, with the number of landscape proxy variables identified as important for each species ranging from 3 for Microtus gregalis at Sary Mogul, to 26 for Ellobius tancrei at Narati. Results indicate that grasslands were predicted to hold higher abundances of Microtus obscurus, E. tancrei and Marmota baibacina, forest areas hold higher abundances of Myodes centralis and Sorex asper, with mixed forest-grassland boundary areas and areas close to watercourses predicted to hold higher abundances of Apodemus uralensis and Sicista tianshanica. Localised variability in vegetation and wetness conditions, as well as presence of certain habitat types, are also shown to influence these small mammal species abundances. Predictive application of the Random Forest (RF) models identified spatial hot-spots of high abundance, with model validation producing R2 values between 0.670 for M. gregalis transect data at Sary Mogul to 0.939 for E. tancrei transect data at Narati. This enhances previous work whereby optimal habitat was defined simply as presence of a given land cover type, and instead defines optimal habitat via a combination of important landscape dynamic variables, moving from a human-defined to species-defined perspective of optimal habitat. The species distribution models demonstrate differing distributions and abundances of host species across the study areas, utilising the strengths of Earth observation data to improve our understanding of landscape and ecological linkages to small mammal distributions and abundances.

Population Density of European Hare Predicts Risk of Tularemia Infection, Czech Republic, 2006-2022.

Background: Over 200 different animal species are susceptible to infection by tularemia, highly infectious disease caused by Francisella tularensis. Hares (Lepus sp.) and small rodents, such as common vole (Microtus arvalis), have been acknowledged as the most significant sources of human tularemia infection in most European countries. Our objective was to verify ability of these species in predicting incidence of human tularemia in a Central European country, the Czech Republic. Materials and Methods: We used 17 years of data on densities of European hare (Lepus europaeus) and common vole, and climate variability to test effects of these factors on temporal dynamics of tularemia incidence. The data were obtained from annual reports available from online e-repositories. Results: The analysis showed that 33% of the yearly variation in human tularemia incidence was explained solely by the abundance of European hare in the Czech Republic during 2007-2022. Density of common vole and North Atlantic Oscillation index, a measure of climate variability, did not significantly explain tularemia incidence. While hare population declined severely during 1993-2022, we did not detect any clear accompanied decrease in the prevalence of tularemia in humans and hares. Conclusion: Contrary to expectations, only hares proved capable in predicting yearly dynamics in human tularemia incidence in the Czech Republic. We call for continued monitoring of infection rates in hares and advocate the use of hunter estimates of hare abundance as a cheap and effective means of predicting the risk of tularemia.

The Diversity of Small Mammals along a Large River Valley Revealed from Pellets of Tawny Owl Strix aluco.

The Vistula River is one of the largest European semi-natural rivers of high ecological value that functions as an ecological corridor. To assess the structure of small mammal communities along the Vistula River, an analysis of the diet of an opportunistic predator, the tawny owl Strix aluco, was used. A total of 6355 individuals of 19 species were found, including 5 soricomorph species, 12 rodents, 1 carnivore, and 1 bat species. Tawny owls most frequently caught Apodemus agrarius, Clethrionomys glareolus, Apodemus flavicollis, and Microtus arvalis. Rodents dominated small mammal communities (90%), followed by soricomorphs (8%), and the share of Chiroptera was significant (2%). Using Ward's method in cluster analysis, three clusters of sites with similar mammal communities were identified. The cluster that included 17 study sites with the dominance of agriculture habitats was inhabited by diverse mammal communities with a high number of species. In the cluster composed of three suburban forest sites, mammal communities had the lowest diversity, although the high species richness and the highest shares of the forest species (A. flavicollis, C. glareolus, and Nyctalus noctula). Mammal communities in the cluster were composed of three urban sites were dominated by A. agrarius and M. arvalis. The study indicates the high species richness of small mammals in floodplains of the Vistula River and the adjacent areas in central Poland. The floodplain offers suitable habitats for species associated with forests, water bodies, agricultural land, and developed areas. The data collected confirms earlier model predictions about the presence of well-connected local populations of forest mammals along the Vistula River.

Implications of population changes among the Arvicolinae (Rodentia, Mammalia) in El Mirón Cave (Cantabria, Spain) for the climate of the last c. 50,000 years

The El Mirón Cave site in Spain has one of the most complete archaeological and palaeontological records of the Late Pleistocene in the Iberian Peninsula, encompassing most of the last c. 50,000 years. Among other studies, the fossiliferous record has allowed the development of various interpretations of faunal and climatic changes during this period of time in the northern Atlantic region of the Iberian Peninsula. The addition of more radiocarbon dates from El Mirón Cave make it possible to revise some of the interpretations of the micromammal sequence carried out earlier for this major site. The record of small mammals is one of the most used tools to study the climate of the past, and among them the several Arvicolinae species are of great importance for the study of Quaternary climatic variations, due to their adaptations to a great diversity of habitats. New methodologies such as ancient DNA and geometric morphometric analyses now permit us to conduct a review of the Arvicolinae species previously described at this site and better to differentiate between species with similar morphologies, like Microtus arvalis and M. agrestis. We also identified the presence of a species not recorded before in El Mirón, Terricola pyrenaicus. With the study of the Arvicolinae species associations, we reaffirm the climate variations originally described in this deposit, indicating in detail how the successive changes in temperature and environment took place throughout the course of the late Last Glacial and early Postglacial periods (Marine Isotope Stages 3–1).

Cryptic species Hydatigera kamiyai and other taeniid metacestodes in the populations of small mammals in Serbia

BackgroundHydatigera (Cestoda: Taeniidae) is a recently resurrected genus with the description of a new species, Hydatigera kamiyai, a cryptic entity within the Hydatigera taeniaeformis species complex. Rodents are intermediate hosts and correct taxonomic identification of H. taeniaeformis sensu lato (s.l.) species is difficult without the use of molecular methods. The aim of this study was to identify and explore the genetic diversity of Hydatigera and other taeniid species.MethodsTen different small mammals species (856 individuals) (Rattus rattus, three Apodemus, three Arvicolinae and three Soricidae species) were examined from 2013 to 2023. Captured animals were visually examined for cysts and visible lesions. Two markers were used for amplification and sequencing: cox1 and 12S rDNA.ResultsMolecular analysis of cysts and visible lesions revealed four taeniid species: Hydatigera kamiyai, H. taeniaeformis sensu stricto (s.s.), Taenia martis and T. crassiceps. Hydatigera kamiyai was found in Apodemus flavicollis, A. agrarius, Microtus arvalis and Crocidrua leucodon, while H. taeniaeformis s.s. is registered in R. rattus. Hydatigera kamiyai cox1 sequences clustered with European populations and showed at least 25 nucleotid differences compared to Asian, African, Australian and one of our isolates of H. taeniaeformis s.s acquired from a rat, followed by large sequence distances (9.4% to 12.9%), indicating clear molecular distinction of two species.ConclusionsThis is one of the few mitochondrial gene-based studies performed after the description of cryptic entities within the Hydatigera taeniaeformis s.l. complex and represents a valuable contribution to understanding of genetic diversity, host suitability and geographic distribution of these tapeworm species. Also, our study provides an important basis of molecular data from this part of Europe for further studies. We emphasize the importance of additional studies of intermediate hosts, especially rats from Europe and Apodemus spp. and voles from Asia and Africa.Graphical abstract

Current State of the Issue of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome in the Rostov Region

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is registered in various geographical regions of the Russian Federation and occupies one of the leading positions among natural-focal human diseases in Russia. The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation on HFRS in the Rostov Region. Materials and methods. Laboratory diagnostics of field material (samples from wild rodents) for the presence of antigens of HFRS pathogens and screening of blood sera from donors, residents of the region, for the presence of class G antibodies to viruses that cause HFRS were carried out by enzyme immunoassay during 2020 and 2021. Results and discussion. Hantavirus antigens were identified in five administrative districts of the Region in 2020, infection with HFRS virus in small mouse-like rodents was 7.1 %. In 2021, spontaneous infection of carriers was detected in 2.8 % of the samples, found in four districts of the Region. The presence of the virus markers was recorded in populations of five species of mouse-like rodents: house mouse, wood mouse, common vole, small wood mouse, yellow-bellied mouse. Among healthy population, class G antibodies were registered in 6.8 % in the surveyed territories in 2020, and 4.5 % in 2021. Detection of virus markers in carriers and the presence of a natural immune layer of the population as regards HFRS agents suggest the existence of a natural HFRS focus in the Rostov Region.

Distribution of Trophic Resources in a Rodent Community in the High-Mountain Zone of the Republic of Dagestan

Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of nutrition of some cohabiting rodent species in the High-Mountain Zone of the Republic of Dagestan have been studied. The diet of S. uralensis consisted of 23, C. gud, of 22, M. arvalis, of 27, C. migtatorius, of 26, and D. nitedula, of 19 plant species. The most diverse diet was found in the common vole and gray hamster. In spring, sedges dominated in the diets of rodents, in the summer, rations consisted mainly of cereals, and autumn, predominantly from the species of the forbs and legume groups. In all, except for the forest dormouse, the conjugation of diets with the structure of herbaceous vegetation was revealed. The maximum values of the degree of similarity of the diets of rodents were found in pairs of wood mouse – Gudaur vole, Gudaur vole – gray hamster, and common vole – gray hamster. As a result, a sufficient level of food supply, a wide range of microstations, and intrapopulation adaptation mechanisms make it possible for the considered rodent species to live together in the study area.

A case study – The occurrence of pests in stands of newly introduced energy crops in large-scale pilot experiments in conditions of Central Europe

Abstract The objective of this paper is to document the occurrence of pests recorded in a large-scale pilot field experiment, where a unique set of newly-introduced herbaceous energy crops was tested under conditions of eastern Slovakia. The set consisted of Elymus elongatus, Secale cereanum, Silphium perfoliatum, Galega orientalis, Sida hermaphrodita, Panicum virgatum, Amaranthus spp., Panicum miliaceum, Sorghum sudanense, and Sorghum bicolor. A total of 14 cultivars were tested on 4 sites during 4 crop years (2016 – 2020). At least 17 species of pests were recorded in total, as some of the species may represent the identity of the couple or several relative ones, which was rare only as usually a fower common species. The occurred pests list consists of Anisoplia lata Erichson, Agriotes lineatus L., Capreolus capreolus L., Deroceras agreste L., Oulema gallaeciana Heyden, Lepisma saccharinum L., Lepus europaeus Pallas, Meloe proscarabaeus L., Metcalfa pruinosa Say, Microtus arvalis Pallas, Philaenus spumarius L., Psylliodes chrysocephala L., Rhopalosiphum padi L., stemborers as any insect larva or arthropod boring into plant stem, Sus scrofa L., Aleyrodes proletella L., Tettigonia viridissima L., and Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood. Overall, the occurrence of pests was regular and scattered, and damages caused by them were negligible usually, but a total destruction of the crop stand even cultivar-specific was recorded too. Most of the meaningful pests are primarily field hunting animals and only secondarily commonly occurring insect species, which for further observations are desirable in order to capture the tendency of important pests’ overpopulation, confirming respectively. Although even rare finding of the single caterpillar of Xylena exsoleta exsoleta L. was recorded in a buffer zone, within the experiment no newly introduced pest species was recorded.

Protozoan Parasites of Sarcocystis spp. in Rodents from Commercial Orchards

Small mammals are an important group of wildlife that can transmit pathogens to humans and animals. There is a lack of comprehensive studies on the protozoan parasites of the genus Sarcocystis in agricultural areas. The aim of the current research was to evaluate the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp., and to identify the parasite species found in the skeletal muscles of rodents and insectivores from commercial orchards. A total of 679 muscle samples from small mammals, mainly rodents (n = 674), belonging to eight species were examined. Muscle samples were pooled into groups, then digested, and the presence of the Sarcocystis species was confirmed by molecular methods. The examined parasites were determined in five rodent species, Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis, Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus arvalis, and M. oeconomus. The prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. was low: 2.23% in voles and 0.79% in mice. Based on a sequence comparison of cox1 and 28S rDNA, four species were identified: S. myodes, Sarcocystis cf. strixi, Sarcocystis sp. Rod1, and Sarcocystis sp. Rod2. This is the first report of S. myodes in A. agrarius, A. flavicollis, and M. arvalis. The identified species were most closely related to Sarcocystis spp., and were transmitted by predatory mammals and birds. Future studies are needed to describe the species morphologically, as well as to define the host spectrum and to evaluate their possible pathogenicity.

Factors that affect long-distance movements of small rodents and shrews in the Ural taiga: disentangling dispersal from excursion movements

Abstract Long-distance movements (LDMs) of small mammals (SMs) are complex phenomena that cover both dispersals and excursions occurring outside the home ranges of individuals. Owing to methodological difficulties, there are a lack of data on LDMs for SMs. In this study, we aimed to determine the factors that influence the LDMs of different mouse-sized rodents and shrews in the Ural taiga (Sverdlovsk region, Russia). We conducted a field experiment in a boreal forest using individual- (capture–marking–recapture [CMR]) and group- (biomarkers: tetracycline and rhodamine B) marking methods, in conjunction with additional feeding. The species, sex, maturity, plot ID, additional food supply, species abundance indices, individuals/100 trap-nights indices in the capture plot, and body weight of each animal were analyzed as predictors of LDMs. We identified 89 individuals from six species that moved at distances of 250, 350, and 500 m. LDMs varied with the particular species and its population abundance. Most of the observed movements were excursions and not dispersal events. Applying mathematical simulations to the obtained empirical data facilitated estimation of the intensity of the excursion activity for different species. We present the 1st excursion data on Sylvaemus uralensis (Pallas, 1811), Microtus arvalis (Pallas, 1778), and Sorex caecutiens (Laxmann, 1788). The detected excursion distance (250 m) for Myodes glareolus (Schreber, 1780) is the maximum excursion distance known for this species. We demonstrate that with comparable labor and time costs, the use of biomarkers makes it possible to detect many more LDMs than CMR allows.