Spatial density of two sympatric species Yellow-necked Mouse Apodemus flavicollis and Bank Vole Clethrionomys glareolus in different environment

Abstract

The impact of two different environments (climax forest and glade) on spatial density of Yellow-Necked Mouse and Bank Vole was studied during the years 2011–2013. Species range (95% Kernel) of both species was calculated based on data obtained from live traps placed in trap grids. Eight levels of density probability that surround regions of constant probability density were used to define (i) activity centres of observed species and (ii) areas that tended to be of rather peripheral interest. Results suggest that glade with rich herbal-ground cover represented significantly more suitable habitat, as well as habitat richer in resources for Bank Vole in comparison to climax forest. In contrary, Yellow-necked Mouse had provably the highest spatial density in climax forest habitat where was lack of herbal-grounded cover typical for the glade. In particular, we suggest that different diet specialization may be one of elements in explaining the different spatial density.