Field identification of Apodemus flavicollis and Apodemus sylvaticus: a quantitative comparison of different biometric measurements

摘要: The identification of the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus and yellow-necked flavicollis in field has challenged many generations mammalogists, particularly northern Spain continental Italy. These two species present highly similar morphologic morphometric characteristics especially when they are sympatric. Existing methods rely on biometric measurements collected killed or etherized animals, whereas studies measurement may be taken only live awake animals. Genetic methods, instead, time consuming, expensive do not allow immediate field, which is a requirement types ecological works. To contribute filling this knowledge gap, aims research were: 1) to assess (weight length hind foot) that animals 2) develop predictive model related software that, subject refinement based study area, will researchers prioritise selection individuals identified by molecular approach. This model, large (>1500) sample captured different sites central Italy, should help classify species. Attached paper Microsoft Excel spreadsheet used apply new data.