Using barn owl Tyto alba pellet analyses to monitor the distribution patterns of the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis Melchior 1834) in a transitional Mediterranean mountain

摘要: Abstract. In this study we aimed to investigate the utility of barn owl diet as a tool for determining spatial distribution and abundance yellow-necked mouse, forest-dwelling small mammal species, in Montseny mountains surrounding plains (Barcelona, NE Spain). After validating molar shape criterion species discrimination (t9 second upper molar), classified sample 2,684 Apodemus spp. identified from 8,831 mammals 17 pellets collected 18 roosting places. Almost all individuals were determined A. sylvaticus (91.8%) remainder considered flavicollis (8.2%). Frequencies occurrence related 11 environmental descriptors by means Redundancy Analysis partial constrained ordination. changed along strong gradient (increased towards rainy localities covered deciduous forests), pattern coincided with that observed other forest pr...