The occurrence of Pannonian root vole ( Microtus oeconomus mehelyi ) in small mammals’ communities in Danubian Plain

Abstract

Two orographic units, Podunajská rovina (Danubian Plain) and Hronská pahorkatina Highlands represent the border of Pannonian root vole’s central European population distribution area, where it colonises wet habitats. Communities of small mammals, especially the occurrence of Root vole, were investigated during the period 1981–2015 along the rivers Danube, Váh, Nitra, Žitava and Ipeľ. We investigated 146 sites and the occurrence of Root vole was confirmed in 39 localities (177 ind.), where it occurred together with other 18 small mammal species (1610 ind.). Root vole, Bank vole and the Common shrew were eudominant species in these communities. The character of recent Root vole population in these areas is not well studied. The isolation of habitats, recent knowledge about dynamics of its demography or possibilities and abilities for migration, indicate a prospect of metapopulation structure of this population. The answers to these questions will provide fundamental consequences for modifying or changing the conservation management strategy of this species.