Dormice (Gliridae) in the Diets of Predators in Europe: A Review Broadening Understanding of Dormouse Ecology
This study aimed to evaluate the significance of dormice in the diets of predators in Europe and, as a result, expand the knowledge about dormouse ecology. A total of 535 sources containing information on dormice in the diets of predators were analysed. Countries of Southern and Central Europe stand...
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Diversity |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/1/52 |
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| author | Rimvydas Juškaitis |
| author_facet | Rimvydas Juškaitis |
| author_sort | Rimvydas Juškaitis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aimed to evaluate the significance of dormice in the diets of predators in Europe and, as a result, expand the knowledge about dormouse ecology. A total of 535 sources containing information on dormice in the diets of predators were analysed. Countries of Southern and Central Europe stand out with the largest numbers of target sources. Dormice were recorded in the diets of 54 predator species: 23 mammals, 11 owls, 16 diurnal birds and 4 reptiles. Owls hunting in forests, particularly the tawny owl <i>Strix aluco</i>, are the main dormouse predators. The role of dormice in the diets of predators depends on dormouse abundance, and the highest proportion was recorded in the Mediterranean region, where edible dormice <i>Glis glis</i> are abundant. In particular periods, dormice may be an alternative prey for owls and some other predators. Dormice were seldom recorded in the winter diets of predators, especially in mammals, contrary to what was previously thought. Records of dormice in the winter diets of owls confirm that dormice leave their hibernacula during arousals in the thaw periods. The presence of dormice in the diets of diurnal birds suggests that nocturnal dormice may also be active in the daytime. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:02:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f882d5ba33fd4847acb0ec33c03a5157 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:02:20Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-f882d5ba33fd4847acb0ec33c03a51572023-11-30T21:53:19ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182023-01-011515210.3390/d15010052Dormice (Gliridae) in the Diets of Predators in Europe: A Review Broadening Understanding of Dormouse EcologyRimvydas Juškaitis0Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT-08412 Vilnius, LithuaniaThis study aimed to evaluate the significance of dormice in the diets of predators in Europe and, as a result, expand the knowledge about dormouse ecology. A total of 535 sources containing information on dormice in the diets of predators were analysed. Countries of Southern and Central Europe stand out with the largest numbers of target sources. Dormice were recorded in the diets of 54 predator species: 23 mammals, 11 owls, 16 diurnal birds and 4 reptiles. Owls hunting in forests, particularly the tawny owl <i>Strix aluco</i>, are the main dormouse predators. The role of dormice in the diets of predators depends on dormouse abundance, and the highest proportion was recorded in the Mediterranean region, where edible dormice <i>Glis glis</i> are abundant. In particular periods, dormice may be an alternative prey for owls and some other predators. Dormice were seldom recorded in the winter diets of predators, especially in mammals, contrary to what was previously thought. Records of dormice in the winter diets of owls confirm that dormice leave their hibernacula during arousals in the thaw periods. The presence of dormice in the diets of diurnal birds suggests that nocturnal dormice may also be active in the daytime.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/1/52birds of preydiet of predatorsdormiceGliridaemammalian predatorsowls |
| spellingShingle | Rimvydas Juškaitis Dormice (Gliridae) in the Diets of Predators in Europe: A Review Broadening Understanding of Dormouse Ecology Diversity birds of prey diet of predators dormice Gliridae mammalian predators owls |
| title | Dormice (Gliridae) in the Diets of Predators in Europe: A Review Broadening Understanding of Dormouse Ecology |
| title_full | Dormice (Gliridae) in the Diets of Predators in Europe: A Review Broadening Understanding of Dormouse Ecology |
| title_fullStr | Dormice (Gliridae) in the Diets of Predators in Europe: A Review Broadening Understanding of Dormouse Ecology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dormice (Gliridae) in the Diets of Predators in Europe: A Review Broadening Understanding of Dormouse Ecology |
| title_short | Dormice (Gliridae) in the Diets of Predators in Europe: A Review Broadening Understanding of Dormouse Ecology |
| title_sort | dormice gliridae in the diets of predators in europe a review broadening understanding of dormouse ecology |
| topic | birds of prey diet of predators dormice Gliridae mammalian predators owls |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/1/52 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rimvydasjuskaitis dormicegliridaeinthedietsofpredatorsineuropeareviewbroadeningunderstandingofdormouseecology |