Autumn diet of the edible dormouse in Galicia, northwest Spain

Abstract

The autumn diet of the edible dormouse Glis glis Linnaeus, 1776 in northwest Spain was investigated on the basis of analysis of the stomach contents of 32 individuals captured in September and October of 1985 and 1986. Remains of Quercus robur acorns and Corylus avellana hazelnuts accounted for 86.5% of the total dry weight of the 32 samples, while blackberry remains accounted for 10.2%. Remains of vegetative plant structures (leaves, etc) accounted for only 3.3% of total dry weight. Insect remains were frequently present, but in very small amounts (about 0.01% of total dry weight). Dormouse hairs and ectoparasites were also frequently present, presumably as a result of accidental ingestion during grooming.