Home ranges of fossorial water voles (Arvicola amphibius) in urban grasslands

Wijas, B., Stewart, R. and McCafferty, D. J. (2023) Home ranges of fossorial water voles (Arvicola amphibius) in urban grasslands. Mammal Communications, 9, pp. 1-6.

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Publisher's URL: https://www.mammal.org.uk/science-research/mammal-communications/browse-papers/volume-9/

Abstract

Water voles (Arvicola amphibius) occur in urban areas in mainland Britain but relatively little is known about their ecology in these environments. In Scotland’s largest city Glasgow, fossorial water voles occupy areas of grassland, some of which may be faced with urban development. The aim of this study was to estimate the area of habitat required by water voles in these urban grasslands by determining their home range size and spatial overlap. Radio-tracking was undertaken at two grassland sites over 29 days during September to October 2018. The mean ± SD home range size of males was 881.4 ± 636.21 m2 (n=5, range 197.8 -1836.2) and 996.5 ± 643.45 m² (n=5, range=435.1 - 2044.6) for females. There was no difference in home range size between sexes or sites and no correlation with body mass. Where home ranges overlapped, the percentage area overlap was 37.4 ± 26.81%. These initial findings provide valuable information on spatial use of urban grasslands by water voles that will inform the management of habitats for this species.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This study was funded by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, Seven Lochs Wetland Park, NatureScot, Glasgow City Council and the Glasgow Natural History Society.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McCafferty, Dr Dominic and Stewart, Ms Robyn
Authors: Wijas, B., Stewart, R., and McCafferty, D. J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Mammal Communications
Publisher:The Mammal Society
ISSN:2056-872X
ISSN (Online):2056-872X
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2023 The Mammal Society
First Published:First published in Mammal Communications 9:1-6
Publisher Policy:Reproduced with the permission of the publisher

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