Craniometric variation of Apodemus agrarius (Pallas, 1771) in urban green areas

Abstract

Comparative analysis was made of variations in four skull measurements of the field mouse Apodemus agrarius (Pallas, 1771) inhabiting urban green areas in Warsaw characterized by different degrees of urbanization. Differences were found in size, skull proportions and rate of increase in dimensions. Skull dimensions and their growth rate are greatest in mice from city centre habitats and decrease with increasing distance from the city centre. Mice from M�ociny Wood have short and flattened skulls, while the skulls of individuals from �azienki Park and Bielany Grove are longer and narrower, and mice from the Orthodox Cemetery have long, narrow and markedly arched skulls. It was considered that the cause of these differences lies in the different character of the habitats and in particular in the different food in these habitats, and also the isolation of populations inhabiting the different areas.