The natural communities of small Mammals (Insectivores and Rodents) of Catalonia (Spain)

Abstract

This work is a contribution to the study of structure of natural communities of small mammals that live in Catalonia. The parameters that have been considered are: rainfail distribution, vegetation and general physiography of Catalonia. In the aipine and subaipine area, the most representative species are: Talpa europaea, Marmota marmota, Arvicola terrestris, Microtus (P.) pyrenaicus. M. nivalis and.M. arvalis; in the mid-European and Atlantic lower mountain area: Erinaceus europaeus, Sorex minutus, S. araneus, S. coronatus, Eliomys quercinus, Clethrionomys glareolus and Microtus agrestis; and in the Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean mountains and lowlands: Erinaceus algirus, Suncus etruscus, Crocidura russula, Apodemus sylvaticuq Mus spretus and Microtus (P.) duodecimcostatus. Other species, such as Neomys fodiens, N. anomalus and Arvicola sapidus show a water dependant distribution, and Mus musculus, Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus have a man-conditioned distribution.