Habitat Selection Of Small Mammals in A Mixed Forest in Turkey

Abstract

Small mammals is a non-taxonomic subgroup named on the basis of body size of individuals. This study was created from data obtained through the mark-recapture method of small terrestrial mammals in Populus tremula, thermophilic deciduous, steppes, conifer plantations and Abies sp. forest habitats in Turkey. Field studies were performed for a total of 14 months in 2014 and 2015. 758 individuals from seven species were captured in a total of 5250 days in trapping grid studies conducted in a total of 5 different types of habitat by a grid of 5 ? 5 traps system. The average capture success in all was calculated as 14.44%. The species affected by temperature data were M. glareolus and D. nitedula. It was found that M. subterraneus showing increasing populations was negatively correlated with temperature. When considering the sex ratios, M. glareolus was under intense male pressure in steppe habitat. Indicator species were determined numerically and M. glareolus, M. subterraneus and D. nitedula were found to be decisive species for different habitats. The habitats showing most similarity to each other in terms of habitat preferences of small mammals the pine plantation and Abies forest, the most different habitat was steppe.