Dryomys Nitedula Research Articles

СОСТОЯНИЕ ОСНОВНЫХ КОМПОНЕНТОВ СРЕДЫ В ЗОНАХ ОТДЫХА Г. КИЗЛЯРА И ЕГО ОКРЕСТНОСТЕЙ

Revealing the limits of stability of natural complexes is an important task in modern urban ecology, where structural indicators of natural components, their state, and dynamics are taken as indicators. The aim of the work was to identify changes in the state of soil, vegetation and rodents in the vicinity of Kizlyar, Republic of Dagestan, caused by recreational activities. The beginning of the tourist season fell on the end of March and lasted until mid-autumn. One of the consequences of the recreational load is the compaction of the surface soil horizons, which occurs under the influence of trampling. It was revealed that under conditions of a recreational load, the hardness of the surface soil horizons was 1.7 times higher than in the control plot. Such changes in soil hardness have an impact on plant associations and, directly or indirectly, on the state of the community of murine rodents, due to their land-burrowing way of life. On the recreational site, there was a decrease in both the total number of species and the proportion of native plant species, represented mostly by meadow weed and ruderal species, while an increase in the projective cover and phytomass was noted, which may be associated with an increase in illumination. Meanwhile, the thinning of the tree layer was also noted. On both sites, 4 species of rodents were recorded. The number of yellow-bellied mice in the control plot was 2.5 times higher than in the recreational plot; public voles in the recreational plot were six times less than in the recreational plot. Forest dormouse in the recreational area - 6, on the control - 8 individuals. There are 5 individuals of the gray hamster in the recreational area, and 7 individuals in the control area. The revealed differences in the functioning of the considered natural components in the conditions of recreational nature management, apparently, is their adaptive response to environmental changes caused by resting people, mainly manifested in the form of soil compaction and disturbance.

Makhnevskaya Ledyanaya Cave (Middle Urals, Russia): Biostratigraphical reconstruction

Pollen and fossil mammals of the terrigenous deposits in the Makhnevskaya Ledyanaya Cave (59°26′ N 57°41’ E), located in the northern part of the Middle Urals and on the border with the Northern Urals, were studied. The spore-and-pollen spectra are divided into four pollen zones. In all the spectra, pollen concentrations of tree species amount to 50–70%. The presence of pollen in thermophilic (Quercus robur-type, Tilia cordata-type, Ulmus sp., Carpinus betulus, Corylus avellana-type) and moderate boreal (Abies, Picea, Pinus, Betula, Alnus) species and a lack of any tundra flora elements indicate their interglacial nature. The following have been identified as small mammal fauna: 8 taxa of insectivorous mammals, 4 taxa of bats, 2 taxa of lagomorphs, 4 species of carnivores, 16 species of rodents, 1 species of odd-toed ungulates and 4 species of even-toed ungulates. The remains of cryoxerophilous (Dicrostonyx sp., Lasiopodomys gregalis) and steppe (Ochotona sp.) species are scarce in the studied fauna. Species typical of forests (genus Sorex, genus Craseomys, genus Myodes, Myopus schisticolor, Microtus agrestis) are dominant. Remains of Erinaceus sp., Talpa sp., Crocidura leucodon, Sciurus vulgaris, Hystrix brachyura, Dryomys nitedula, Apodemus flavicollis, Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis have been found. The morphology and dimensions of the teeth of Panthera spelaea fossilis, Hystrix brachyura, Dryomys nitedula, Arvicola amphibius, mice of genus Apodemus are described. The compositions of the palynocomplexes and mammal fauna as well as the SDQ values for m1 of Arvicola amphibius allow us to date the deposits from the Makhnevskaya Ledyanaya Cave to the Eemian interglacial period (MIS 5e).

Predictive modelling in paleoenvironmental reconstruction: The micromammals of Manot Cave, Israel

This paper describes the micromammalian remains and paleoenvironment of the Upper Paleolithic sequence of Manot Cave (46-34 ka), southern Levant. Micromammal remains were identified from Ahmarian (46-42 ka), Levantine Aurignacian (38-34 ka) and post-Levantine Aurignacian (34-33 ka) layers. To identify taphonomic agents, molar digestion was modelled for seven local raptor species, and model predictions were compared with observed digestion scores in the Manot Cave material. Raptor species differed significantly in molar digestion patterns, allowing us to identify Tyto alba as the bone accumulator in the Ahmarian and Post-Levantine Aurignacian units. Data were insufficient for species-level identification of the taphonomic agent in the Levantine Aurignacian. Günther's voles (Microtus guentheri) were dominant, though woodland species (Apodemus spp., Sciurus anomalus and Dryomys nitedula) also occurred through the entire sequence. Manot Cave furnished the first fossil record of the Eurasian snow vole (Chionomys nivalis) in the southern Levant during the Late Pleistocene and its first secure record of the water vole (Arvicola terrestris) outside the Hula Valley. Records of other taxa (Acomys dimidiatus and D. nitedula) provide the earliest occurrence datum in the region. Using counts of both identified specimens and distinct elements (lower first molars) we modelled paleoenvironmental conditions through both Weighted Averaging Partial Least Squares regression and a qualitative analysis considering niche preferences of species. Model predictions indicate the unexpectedly pronounced dominance of open habitats compared to present conditions near the cave, though the occurrence and abundance of woodland species also indicate some woodland expansion relative to the preceding Middle Paleolithic period. Combining statistical models and species niche considerations we show that the time span between the Ahmarian, Levantine Aurignacian and post-Levantine Aurignacian was marked by a clear-cut climatic oscillation to cooler and likely wetter conditions.

Features of Station Distribution of Mouse-Like Rodents in Foothill Zone of the Republic of Dagestan

The features of the spatial distribution of four species of Mouse-Like rodents (Sylvaemus fulvipectus, Cricetulus migratorius, Microtus socialis, and Dryomys nitedula) in the forest associations of the foothill zone of the Republic of Dagestan are analyzed. Sixteen environmental parameters are selected, of which ten significantly showed interspecific differences. The distribution of rodent species is demonstrated relative to the environmental characteristics taken into account in the descriptions; the preferences and requirements for the environment of each species are revealed. Thus, the yellow-bellied mouse and gray hamster were found at all stations, whereas the forest dormouse and social vole were more selective in their choice of stations. As a result, the width of the spatial niches for the yellow-bellied mouse and gray hamster is greater than that of the forest dormouse and social vole. The results of pairwise comparison of the spatial niches of studied rodent species reveal low values of their overlap.

Nuclear and organelle genes based phylogeny of Dryomys (Gliridae, Rodentia, Mammalia) from Turkey

Molecular phylogeny, phylogeography and genetic structure of the genus Dryomys Thomas, 1906 from Turkey were identified by using partial sequences of intron 7 of beta fibrinogen and 12S ribosomal RNA genes and also combined data of two genes. Within Dryomys nitedula, nuclear and mitochondrial genes coherently provided a precise separation of the Thrace lineage from the other lineages in Anatolia. Contrary to this, complex and conflicted phylogenies were recovered for Anatolian populations of this species. On the other hand, the combined data of these two genes resolved mentioned complexity and incongruity and supplied a compatible and clearer phylogeny with the results of past studies for relative position of the Anatolian lineages. Thus, presence of four different lineages within D. nitedula in the localities exemplified across Turkey was confirmed. Genetic differentiations (K2P distances) between the lineages were moderate and indicated intraspecific diversity. In addition to this, genetic distance (K2P= 5.5%) between D. nitedula and Dryomys laniger was determined to be conform to the characteristic distance suggested for the separate species of mammals. Evolutionary divergence time estimations demonstrated that the probable divergence between D. laniger and D. nitedula and among its detected lineages started in the border of Late-Miocene and Pliocene and lasted to the Calabrian stage of Pleistocene in line with the previous results obtained from fossil and molecular data.

A Finding of the Red Squirrel (Rodentia, Sciuridae, Sciurus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758) and Forest Dormouse (Rodentia, Gliridae, Dryomys nitedula Linnaeus, 1778) in the Pleistocene of the Southern Urals.

The study deals with a new sample of the mammalian fossils from the Pleistocene deposits of the Ignatievskaya Cave in Southern Urals (54°53' N, 57°46' E). Among the rodent fossils, the teeth of red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula) have been identified. The enamel differentiation quotient (SDQ) of the water vole teeth matches the Arvicola terrestris species from locations of the end of Middle and Late Pleistocene (oxygen isotope stages, OIS 6 and OIS 5-2, respectively). The high SDQ value for the water vole and the presence of the squirrel and dormouse in the fauna allow dating the finding near the end of the Middle Pleistocene and beginning of the Late Pleistocene (OIS 6 and OIS 5e, respectively). The widespread open and forest landscapes were inhabited by this fauna.

Dormouse (Gliridae) status in Lithuania and surrounding countries: a review

Lithuania and surrounding countries are situated in the northern part of dormouse (Gliridae) distribution ranges. Garden dormouse may be extinct in all these countries because the last observations of this species were recorded in the end of 20th century. Fat dormouse is rare and declining in Lithuania and surrounding countries because of destruction of their habitats – felling of mature oakdominated forests. Forest dormouse is rare because western limit of is distribution range goes through Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Status of the hazel dormouse is different in the countries concerned. This species is common and widespread in Lithuania, but red-listed in Latvia and Belarus, and absent in large deforested areas in Poland. The hazel dormouse may be extinct in Estonia, but common and not threatened in southern Sweden. In different countries, status of the hazel dormouse depends on anthropogenic influence on its habitats and probably also on investigation level. Some outdated information on distribution and status of some dormouse species is presented in the IUCN red lists.

Animal welfare aspects in the trade of (exotic) mammals on German animal fairs and pet markets

Several hundred animal fairs and pet markets annually take place in Germany . As part of the EXOPET-I-Study, we visited 17 animal fairs in 2016 to gain insight into the traded (exotic) mammal species. Furthermore, we assessed whether the accommodation of the mammals was compliant with the ‘Guidelines for Animal Fairs under Animal Welfare Aspects’ (Guidelines for Animal Fairs) issued by the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture in 2006. At the visited fairs, 25 mammal species were offered for sale. Among them were rarely kept (exotic) mammals such as forest African dormouse (Graphiurus murinus) or grey shorttailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica). At all fairs, we found animal welfare problems concerning feed and water supply, sufficiently sized cages, adequate litter, and retreat possibility. At only one animal fair, water was freely available for each animal in all cages. Adequate feed was missing in over 20 % of the cages at nine animal fairs. At 11 animal fairs, the required cage size did not comply with the Guidelines for Animal Fairs in over 60 % of the cages. Sturdy retreat possibilities were missing in over 60 % of the cages at 16 animal fairs. The Guidelines for Animal Fairs should be implemented more stringently at animal fairs to guarantee standardized procedures throughout Germany and improve animal welfare. A main objective here is to improve on-site quality control by competent authorities and by experts (e.g. specialized veterinarians) from veterinary inspection offices assisting the authorities during on-site welfare inspections.

Small terrestrial mammals of Albania: distribution and diversity (Mammalia, Eulipotyphla, Rodentia).

In this paper new records are reported for 23 species of small terrestrial mammals (STM) of Albania collected during the field work campaigns organised in the framework of the project “Strengthening capacity in National Nature Protection – preparation for Natura 2000 network” (NaturAL) in Albania during the summer and autumn of 2016 and 2017 Data on small mammals were primarily collected through Sherman live-trapping campaigns in six high priority protected areas of Albania: Korab-Koritnik, Bredhi i Hotovës, Tomorri, Llogara-Karaburun, Divjakë-Karavasta, Liqeni i Shkodrës (Skadar lake), Lëpushë-Vermosh. Other data were obtained by analysis of owl pellets or by direct observation of individuals (dead or alive) in the field. For 21 species Erinaceus roumanicus, Neomys anomalus, Crocidura suaveolens, Crocidura leucodon, Suncus etruscus, Talpa stankovici/caeca, Myocastor coypus, Sciurus vulgaris, Glis glis, Dryomys nitedula, Muscardinus avellanarius, Microtus levis/arvalis, Microtus subterraneus, Microtus thomasi, Microtus felteni, Myodes glareolus, Apodemus sylvaticus, Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus epimelas, Mus musculus, and Mus macedonicus additional records are provide and their distributions reviewed, while the presence of two new species of shrews (Sorex araneus and Sorex minutus) for Albania is reported for the first time. A comprehensive review of the published and unpublished distribution records of STM species of the country is made, together with an updated checklist and distribution maps of the species.

Forest Dormouse ( Dryomys nitedula ) populations in southern Italy belong to a deeply divergent evolutionary lineage: implications for taxonomy and conservation

The Forest Dormouse (Dryomys nitedula) is a small rodent with a wide, albeit severely fragmented distribution, ranging from central Europe to central Asia. Within the Italian region, D. nitedula populations are restricted to forested mountain areas of two largely disconnected regions, the eastern Alps and the Calabria region, where two distinct subspecies (D. nitedula intermedius and D. nitedula aspromontis, respectively) have been described on the basis of phenotypic characters (i.e., fur colour). Here we analysed D. nitedula samples from both regions, to investigate patterns of genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationship among these two populations. Genetic variation was studied at the level of one mitochondrial (cytochrome b gene) and three nuclear gene fragments (exon1 of the interstitial retinoid-binding protein, exon 10 of the growth hormone receptor, and recombination activating gene 1). Phylogenetic analyses were performed using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. D. n. aspromontis and D. n. intermedius were found to be reciprocally monophyletic in all the phylogenetic analyses, and the genetic divergence observed between them at the mitochondrial CYTB gene was conspicuous (HKY: 0.044) when compared to previously observed values among many sister species of rodents. Our results clearly show that D. nitedula aspromontis is a deeply divergent, narrow endemic evolutionary lineage, and its conservation needs should be carefully evaluated in the near future. Moreover, such deep genetic divergence, together with phenotypic differentiation between D. n. intermedius and D. n. aspromontis, suggest that D. nitedula populations in southern Italy might belong to a distinct, previously unrecognized species.

Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Armadolepis Spassky, 1954 (Eucestoda, Hymenolepididae), with descriptions of two new species from Palaearctic dormice (Rodentia, Gliridae).

Two new species of hymenolepidid cestodes belonging to the genus Armadolepis Spassky, 1954 are described from dormice (Gliridae) from the southern East European Plain and the northwestern Caucasus, Russia. Armadolepis (Bremserilepis) longisoma n. sp., with a rudimentary, unarmed rostellar apparatus is described from the fat dormouse Glis glis (Linnaeus) from the Republic of Adygeya, Russia. Additionally, A. (Armadolepis) dryomi n. sp., characterised by a well-developed rostellar apparatus and armed rhynchus is described from the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula Pallas from Rostov Oblast', Russia. Armadolepis (Bremserilepis) longisoma n. sp. differs from A. (Bremserilepis) myoxi (Rudolphi, 1819) in having a substantially longer strobila and cirrus-sac, wider scolex and ovary and larger rostellar pouch and testes. Armadolepis (Armadolepis) dryomi n. sp. is distinguishable from A. (Armadolepis) spasskii Tenora & Baruš, 1958, A. (Armadolepis) jeanbaeri Makarikov, 2017 and A. (Armadolepis) tenorai Makarikov, 2017 in having a substantially longer and wider strobila, and larger rostellar pouch and cirrus-sac. Furthermore, A. dryomi n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeners by the number and size of rostellar hooks and the arrangement of the testes. Phylogenetic affinities of Armadolepis were studied for the first time using partial sequences of the nuclear ribosomal 28S DNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis strongly supported the status of Armadolepis as a separate genus belonging to the "Rodentolepis clade".

Способи обліку й лову дендрофільних гризунів

Two main census and trapping methods of dendrophilous rodents, mainly species of dormice (Gliridae) — edible dormouse (Glis glis), forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula), and hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) — are considered. The first way to collect data is to search for natural above-ground nests or to install and test artificial nest-boxes such as beehive or other types of birdhouses. The second method is to install standard traps on trees (on tree butt, trunks or branches) both mousetraps and live traps. The former are fixed on tree butts or tree trunks, the latter are mostly installed on tree branches. Possible ways to attach traps are considered.

Socio-spatial organization in a local population of the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula, with a review of these relations in other dormouse species

Abstract The socio-spatial organization in a local population of the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula situated in Lithuania was studied using the capture-mark-recapture (CMR) method in a nestbox grid. Adult D. nitedula are sedentary and have permanent home ranges which are the basis of the socio-spatial organization of their populations. Average home range size per activity season was two times larger in adult males than in females (2.6 ha and 1.3 ha, respectively). On average, 53% and 44% of the area of the ranges of males and females, respectively overlapped with the ranges of neighboring individuals. Intersexual overlap of ranges was higher than intrasexual overlap. Males shared their home range with a larger number of other individuals than females (3.6 and 1.5 individuals, respectively). Adult dormice partly shifted their home ranges in consecutive years. During the course of the entire activity season, single individuals of both sexes (72.9%) were found most frequently in nestboxes, while females with litters of young (12.6%) and groups consisting of two or more dormice (14.5%) were much rarer. Pairs consisting of an adult male and female were found during the mating season, while groups of different composition were recorded most often when juveniles became independent.

Assessment of the habitat quality of the forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula) in Daghestan, Russia: role of foods and vegetation structure

The suitability of two forest biotopes (oak and hornbeam-beech forests) for occupation by D. nitedula in Daghestan, Russia is considered. Biotopes have been characterized according to 11 parameters. All 11 vegetation parameters were significantly different between study areas. The indices of D. nitedula success in the studied biotopes demonstrated that numbers were higher in an oak forest than in a hornbeam-beech forest. Estimates of microhabitat distribution showed that D. nitedula individuals prefer to live in shrub associations and in areas with young trees in both biotopes. The body weight of adults and reproduction rate were similar in both biotopes. We concluded that in situation when the body weight and reproduction rates of individual D. nitedula were similar but the numbers of species in the both forest biotopes significantly differ, the structure of woody-shrub vegetation becomes a significant factor.

Phylogeography of the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula (Gliridae, Rodentia) in Russian Plain and the Caucasus

The genetic variation of the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula (Pallas, 1779) from isolated populations of Russian Plain and the Caucasus was investigated using cytochrome b gene (cytb). The genetic distance calculated between these populations of forest dormouse was 9.94 %, which corresponds to the typical distance between biological species of mammals. The genetic distance of cytb between Western and Central Caucasus forest dormouse populations is also significant, 6.0 %. Probably, there was a long-term isolation of European and Caucasian areas of D. nitedula during the whole Pleistocene.

Breeding success of the Great Tit Parus major in relation to attributes of natural nest cavities in a primeval forest

An overlap in attributes of nest cavities used by Great Tit Parus major across Eurasia suggests similar nest site preferences within the geographical range, although the drivers of these preferences are unclear. To determine whether preferred cavities provide conditions enhancing successful reproduction, we investigated the breeding performance of Great Tits in relation to tree cavity characteristics using data collected during 2008–2011 in primeval conditions (Bialowieza National Park, Poland). Here, tree cavities are diverse and superabundant but nesting birds are at risk from a variety of predators. According to expectations, nest losses were high (60 % of Great Tit nests failed), mostly due to predation (69 % of nest failures). The risk of nest failure varied with nest cavity attributes. Compared to successful nests, failures were situated higher above the ground and placed closer to the cavity entrance. Very deep cavities with narrow entrances and strong livings walls provided effective protection against larger predators (e.g., martens, woodpeckers), unable to enter the cavity or pull out the contents. Yet, such holes were no barrier for the smallest predators (e.g., Forest Dormouse Dryomys nitedula), which were able to enter any Great Tit nest cavity and destroyed most of the nests. Avoiding small predators would give a selective advantage to the birds, but this seems hardly possible to achieve. We conclude that tree cavities preferred by the tits show a combination of properties which are a compromise for avoiding predation (the strongest selective pressure) and providing the minimum requirements (sufficient nest illumination, microclimate, protection against nest soaking) for development and growth of young.

Fleas (Siphonaptera) in the Nests of Dormice (Gliridae: Rodentia) in Lithuania

Negative effects of flea (Siphonaptera) parasitism on the host may be expressed in different ways. The aim of this study was to assess distribution of the flea fauna in nests of dormice in Lithuania. Nests of Glis glis (L.), Dryomys nitedula (Pallas), and Muscardinus avellanarius (L.) were collected from nest boxes in 2012 and 2013. Fleas were collected from nests in the laboratory and put into plastic tubes with 70% ethanol. Flea species were identified using morphological keys. From 400 nest boxes, 112 nests of dormice were collected from eight sites from mixed forests of central Lithuania. Twenty-three nests of G. glis were collected from nest boxes, with 16 of them containing 286 fleas belonging to four species: Ceratophyllus sciurorum (Schrank) (259), C. gallinae (Schrank) (23), Hystrichopsylla talpae (Curtis) (3), and Megabothris turbidus (Rothschild) (1). Fourteen nests of M. avellanarius were collected from nest boxes, 4 of which contained 224 fleas belonging to two species: C. sciurorum (221) and C. gallinae (3). Twenty-four nests of D. nitedula were collected from nest boxes, including 17 containing 207 fleas belonging to two species: C. sciurorum (205) and C. gallinae (2). Fifty-one nests of undetermined dormice species also were collected from nest boxes, 12 of them contained 395 fleas belonging to three species: C. sciurorum (374), Ctenophthalmus agyrtes (Heller) (19), and Ctenophthalmus assimilis (Taschenberg) (2). C. sciurorum was a predominant species in the nests of dormice. The occurrence of C. gallinae was documented in Lithuania for the first time.

Helminth parasites of small mammals in Kerman province, southeastern Iran.

Fifty-one specimens of small mammals were collected from different locations of Kerman province, southeastern Iran during 2007 and 2009. They constitute six species of rodents (Meriones persicus, Meriones libycus, Tatera indica, Dryomys nitedula and Mus musculus), one species of Erinaceomorpha (Paraechinus hypomelas) and one species of hare (Lepus europeus). The rate of helminthic infection was 45.1% among all trapped specimens. In 28 out of 51 hunted specimens no intestinal helminth parasite was found. Of all mammals examined, 15 (29.4%) had nematodes, 5 (9.8%) had cestodes, and 3 (5.9%) were infected with Acanthocephala. Five different species of parasites were isolated: Trichuris muris, Moniliformis moniliformis, Hymenolepis diminuta, Hymenolepis nana, and Mastophorus muris. Results of the present study indicate the potential of small mammals in the transmission of zoonotic helminthic infection.

Ecology of the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula (Pallas 1778) on the north-western edge of its distributional range

From 1999 to 2013, a long-term capture-mark- recapture study was carried out in a local population of the forest dormouse, Dryomys nitedula , in a mixed for- est patch surrounded by unsuitable habitat in Lithuania. Many aspects of this population ' s ecology are differ- ent from those situated elsewhere. In the population, the activity period of D. nitedula was the shortest in the entire range (about 4.5 months, late April to early Sep- tember). Breeding season was early and short, most lit- ters were born in early June, and the average litter size (3.2 ± 1.1 young) was very small. The average densities of the local population were 4.5 ± 1 and 6.7 ± 2.1 ind./10 ha after and before hibernation, respectively. The abundance of the local population was stable, and the sex ratio was approaching 1:1 among adult individuals, except in the first years of the study when abundance was higher than usual and the sex ratio was female-biased. One-year-old dormice comprised about 49% of the population, while 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds and older accounted for 24%, 14% and 13%, respectively. Maximum life span was 6 years in one female and maximum body weight recorded before hiber- nation was 57.5 g in an adult male.

Seasonal variability in the diet of the forest dormouse,Dryomys nitedula, on the north-western edge of its distributional range

The diet of the forest dormouse, Dryomys nitedula, was studied in Lithuania, which is situated on the north-western edge of its range. The diet composition of D. nitedula changes constantly over the activity period. From late April until mid-July, food of animal origin dominates the diet, while vegetable food prevails from mid-July until early September. Over the entire activity season, food of animal origin comprises on average 63 % of dormouse diet by volume estimates. Four main food groups — birds, adult insects, insect larvae and millipedes — dominate, but their proportions vary over the course of the season, as does the composition of vegetable food used by D. nitedula. Among vegetable food, dormice feed on blossoms of Norway spruce, oak and aspen in May, cones of Norway spruce during June-August, raspberries, birch seeds and fruits of glossy buckthorn in July and August and oak acorns in late August and early September. The composition of vegetable food used by D. nitedula in Lithuania is rather specific in comparison to other parts of the range and shows high dormouse adaptability to local conditions. In different years, the proportions of vegetable and animal food, as well as their compositions, vary in the dormouse diet. Dormice can accumulate sufficient fat reserves for hibernation feeding on both vegetable and animal food.