Stranded on an island: consequences of forest fragmentation for body size variations in an arboreal mammal, the edible dormouse (Glis glis) |
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Authors: | Joanna Fietz Tanja Weis-Dootz |
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Institution: | (1) Animal Husbandry and Animal Breeding, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 17, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany;(2) Institute of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany |
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Abstract: | The island rule states that small mammals isolated on islands have the evolutionary tendency to become larger, while large
mammals tend to become smaller. However, the underlying mechanisms and life history consequences of these insular shifts in
body size still remain speculative. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an arboreal mammal, the edible dormouse
(Glis glis), showed shifts in body size when inhabiting isolated forest fragments. We analysed a data set of 541 individuals captured
between 2005 and 2010 in four different forest fragments and one continuous forest, which served as a reference area. Sex,
age, body mass, and size of all individuals were known. We used linear mixed-effect models to investigate whether individuals
differed in their body size and mass between forest fragments and continuous forest. Our study revealed that edible dormice
inhabiting forest fragments were significantly larger and heavier than individuals in the continuous forest, in accordance
with patterns described by the island rule for small mammals. Because edible dormice frequently use nest boxes to rest during
the day and to rear offspring, the life history strategies of this rodent can be easily investigated under evolutionary relevant
conditions in the field. Thus the edible dormouse represents an excellent model organism for studying the mechanisms underlying
shifts in body size as a response to habitat fragmentation and to investigate the consequences of these shifts on their life
history strategies. |
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Keywords: | Body mass Body size Fragmentation Island rule Small mammal |
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