SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF SMALL MAMMAL POPULATIONS IN DRAVA FLOODPLAIN FOREST

In the present study we examined the spatial distribution of the small mammals of a floodplain forest by River Drava based on a three-year live trapping (capture-mark-recapture). We registered the presence of 5 shrew and 5 rodent species between 2001 and 2003. Of them Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis, Myodes glareolus and Sorex araneus were generally typical in the region. In our examination striped field mouse was the most frequently recorded species. The habitat use of the Apodemus species was equal, however the habitat use of bank vole was the opposite, preferring the area between the river and the dirt road. This indicates the spatial segregation of the bank vole and the two mouse species. Striped field mice travelled greater distances than bank voles did. Yellow-necked mouse individuals covered significantly greater movement distances than striped field mice. As suggested by our study, the dirt road as a dividing line of the trapped forests had no barrier effect on the movements of individuals of the three rodent populations.