Subtitle:

Ecological aspect of synurbization of the striped field mouse, Apodemus agrarius (Pall.)

Contributor:

Polska Akademia Nauk. Komitet Ekologii

Publisher:

Państwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe

Place of publishing:

Warszawa

Description:

Pages 117-124 ; 24 cm ; Bibliographical references (page 123) ; Abstract in English

Type of object:

Journal/Article

Abstract:

Synurbization is a new term for the process of species adaptation to life under urban conditions. This process involves changes in species behaviour, ecology and genetic treats. In the paper only ecological changes has been described and only in one mammal species. The analysis of environmental conditions encountered by the species in urban areas shows that they differ from natural conditions with respect to many abiotic and biotic factors, such as: (1) microclimate, (2) food conditions, (3) characteristics and distribution of microhabitats occupied by the species (Fig. 1), (4) species composition of predators, parasites and competitors (Fig. 2), presence of man and accumulation of by-products of civilization. Adaptation to these new conditions results in many differences stated between urban and non-urban populations. City dwellers are heavier, better survive the winter period, their reproduction season ends later in autumn; they are more insectivorous than the non-urban ones. Some elements in organization of their populations vary signifficantly, what may be seen in the strong inhibition of maturation of young females, observed in town in the spring (Fig. 3); they also reach very high densities. Alternation of the first four parameters probably results from changes in food, microclimatic and biocenotic conditions. On the other hand, the specific (island-like) distribution of Apodemus agrarius in urban areas should be thought to account for observed differences in population organization and density. The species characteristics advantagous for its synurbization are indicated, and the ecological role of the species in urban environments is discussed. It may be stated that the striped field mouse is well doing in its new environment and should be recognized as a species welcome in our towns.

References:

Andrzejewski R., Babińska-Werka J., Gliwicz J., Goszczyński J, 1978 — Synurbization processes in population of Apodemus agrarius. I. Characteristics of populations in an urbanization gradient — Acta theriol. 23: 341—358.
Andrzejewski R., Wrocławek H. 1961 — Mass occurrence of Apodemus agrarius (Pallas 1771) and variations in the numbers of associated Muridae — Acta theriol. 5: 173—184.
Babińska-Werka J., Gliwicz J., Goszczyński J. 1979 — Synurbization processes in population of Apodemus agrarius. II. Habitats of striped field mouse in town — Acta theriol. 24: 405—415.
Boźko S. J. 1971 — K charakteristike processa urbanizacii ptic — Vestn. lening. Univ. Ser. Biol. 9: 5—14.
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Goszczyński J. 1979a — Penetration of mammals over urban green spaces in Warsaw — Acta theriol. 24: 419—423.
Goszczyński J. 1979b — Density estimation for an urban population of the field mouse — Acta theriol. 24: 417—419.
Holisova V. 1967 — The food of Apodemus agrarius (Pall.) — Zool. Listy, 16: 1—14.
Petrusewicz K. 1978 — Osobnik, populacja, gatunek — PWN, Warszawa, ss. 384.
Strawiński S. 1971 — O ptakach, ludziach i miastach — Wiedza Powszechna, Warszawa, ss. 156.
Sumiński S. M. 1922 — Fauna Warszawy — Ziemia, 7: 328—335.
Tomiałojć B. 197 — Badania ilościowe nad synantropijną awifauną Legnicy i okolic — Acta ornithol. 12: 293—392.
Wałecki A. 1881 — Fauna zwierząt ssących Warszawy i jej stosunek do fauny całego kraju — Pamięt. fizyogr. 1.

Relation:

Wiadomości Ekologiczne

Volume:

26

Issue:

2

Start page:

117

End page:

124

Detailed Resource Type:

Article

Resource Identifier:

oai:rcin.org.pl:189209 ; ISSN 0013-2969

Source:

MiIZ PAN, call no. P.3259

Language:

pol

Language of abstract:

eng

Rights:

Creative Commons Attribution BY 3.0 PL license

Terms of use:

Copyright-protected material. [CC BY 3.0 PL] May be used within the scope specified in Creative Commons Attribution BY 3.0 PL license, full text available at: ; -

Digitizing institution:

Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Original in:

Library of the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Projects co-financed by:

Operational Program Digital Poland, 2014-2020, Measure 2.3: Digital accessibility and usefulness of public sector information; funds from the European Regional Development Fund and national co-financing from the state budget.

Access:

Open