Flea burden and its influence on nest selection and use in Dryomys nitedula Pallas, 1778

• Autorzy: Duma I.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Since dormice usually use natural tree hollows or artificial nest boxes as nest sites and these nests are reused from 1 year to another, the present study investigated how the parasite loads from old nests affected the behaviour of the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula Pallas, 1778. Dormice were subjected to three different experiments: 1. They were given the choice of a nest box infected with ectoparasites and a new unused nest box; 2. Dormice were given the choice of a treated (uninfected) previously used nest boxes and previously used nest box that was infected; and 3. Using infrared motion sensor cameras, we tested weather they preferred to avoid nest boxes when only infected nests were available. The results revealed that the females with pups are pickier when choosing the nursery site. These preferred empty nest boxes or nest boxes with treated nests instead of the infested ones. However, non-breeding adults and sub-adults showed indifference to the flea infestation of the nest.

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Theriologica
• Rocznik: 2013
• Tom: 58
• Numer: 4
• Opis fizyczny: p.419-423,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Duma I.

• Department of Biology, Faculty of Chemistry-Biology-Geography, West University of Timisoara, Pestalozzi no. 16 Street, Timisoara 300115, Romania

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