Analysis of the microtheriofauna of the Alta Murgia National Park (Apulia)

Abstract

The study presents the first data on the community of micromammals present in the Alta Murgia National Park (Puglia, Italy) by analyzing pellets from several species of raptors. A total of 300 pellets were considered: 131 of Barn Owl, Tyto alba, 5 of Long Eared Owl, Asio otus, 94 of Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus and 70 of Little Owl, Athene noctua. The analysis of the pellets allowed to determine 1039 individuals of micromammals belonging to 8 species. Savi’s pine vole, Microtus savii resulted as the most frequent species. Of particular interest is the discovery of a specimen of Italian water vole, Arvicola italicus. A correlation between the frequency of presence of M. savii and Suncus etruscus and the landscape diversity index (Hill number) was found.