Spatial organization and home range of Apodemus flavicollis and A. agrarius on Mt. Avala, Serbia

Abstract

Spatial organization and home range size of Apodemus flavicollis and A. agrarius were studied in a forest community (Orno-Quercetum petraeae) at Avala mountain (Serbia). From 1997-1999 a mark-recapture method on a 4 ha study plot was used to follow both species. Observed range length (ORL) and home range area (HR) were calculated for individuals recaptured 4-6 times. A. flavicollis had a smaller home range than A. agrarius, while males of both species had larger home ranges than females. The differences were significant for species but not for sexes. Both species had similar values of ORL and HR in periods of low density of both species, high density of both species and in periods of high density when the other species had low density. The magnitude of ORL and HR expansion in periods of low density was significantly smaller when the other species was in present in high density. This effect was more pronounced in A. agrarius than in A. flavicollis. We suggest that differential micro-habitat utilization within the study area by the two species was partly responsible for this phenomenon.