Seasonal patterns in the wood mouse population in Mediterranean scrubland

Abstract

Annual breeding and density variation patterns were studied for the wood mice in a Meditterranean scrubland of southwest Spain. Snap and live trapping methods were utilized. Variation in testicle and seminal vesicle sizes and pregnancy showed that reproductive activity extended from August to April which does not agree with other areas of Central and North Europe. However, the density variation, the seasonal disap- pearance rate and residency time in our area had a population cycle similar to Central and North Europe. The causes of this disagreement are discussed.