Terrestrial Small Mammal Communities from Hârtibaciu Plateau (Romania)/Comunităţi de mamifere mici terestre din Podişul Hârtibaciu (România)

• Published in: Travaux du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle “Grigore Antipa”
• Main Authors: Benedek, Ana Maria, Sîrbu, Ioan, Bucur, Anca, Cociş, Victoria, Răulea, Adrian, Vornicu, Adriana
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Walter de Gruyter GmbH 2015
• Subjects: Microtus arvalis
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/travmu-2014-0006

Abstract Small mammal communities were studied by live trapping during August-September 2010 and June-September 2011 in three localities from Hârtibaciu Plateau, in southern Transylvania. The area is situated between 420 and 550 m a.s.l., and represents a mosaic of small patches of different land use. 200 traps were set in lines for three consecutive nights, in 80 different habitats representing 12 habitat types, both cultivated and semi-natural. 1235 small mammals belonging to 15 species (four soricomorphs and 11 rodents) were captured. Abundance of small mammals was expressed by means of capture index (number of individuals caught per 100 active trap-nights). The community structure was strongly shaped by habitat type, even in case of small land patches. Microtus arvalis prevailed in the investigated area, being the dominant species in open fields with high grassy vegetation. The density of this species increased strongly from the beginning of summer to autumn, when the traps were occasionally saturated with field voles.