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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Nest box use by woodland dormice (Graphiurus murinus): The influence of life cycle and nest box placement
European Journal of Wildlife Research, Volume 56, No. 5, Year 2010
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Description
The use of nest boxes by the woodland dormouse, Graphiurus murinus, was investigated over a 13-month period in a riverine forest of the Great Fish River Reserve, South Africa. We predicted that some characteristics of nest box placement would affect nest box use and that the seasonal pattern of nest box use would be linked to the species' life cycle and physiological and socioecological characteristics. Generalized linear models indicated that the time since nest box installation and nest box height above ground positively affected the frequency and intensity of nest box use. Male and female dormice, as well as adults and juveniles, did not differ in the number of nest boxes used and equally occupied individual nest boxes. The percentage of nest boxes used peaked during spring and summer (breeding period) and dropped during winter (hibernation). However, whereas significantly more males were caught during the mating season (spring), the number of females occupying nest boxes was constant during the year. As female dormice successfully bred in the nest boxes, the observed sexual patterns suggest that (artificial) nest sites represent an important resource for females, whereas females seem to constitute the main resource for males, as predicted by the socioecological model. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.
Authors & Co-Authors
Madikiza, Zimkitha Josephine Kimberly
South Africa, Alice
University of Fort Hare
Bertolino, S.
Italy, Torino
Divapra
Baxter, Roderick M.
South Africa, Alice
University of Fort Hare
South Africa, Thohoyandou
University of Venda
Linh San, Emmanuel Do Linh
South Africa, Alice
University of Fort Hare
Statistics
Citations: 35
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1007/s10344-010-0369-x
ISSN:
16124642
Research Areas
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Study Locations
South Africa
Participants Gender
Male
Female