<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><xml><records><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Selection of nest sites by wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus in a Mediterranean agro-forest landscape</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Ecological Research</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2011</style></year></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">26</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">445-452</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">One of the most important structures for an individual’s survival is a refuge, especially for species subject to signiﬁcant predatory pressure or living in environments aﬀected by severe climatic conditions. We studied how wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), inhabiting a Mediterranean environment, use nests and the factors that could be determining this use. Radiotracking of 16 mice allowed us to detect 24 diurnal nests, which were used with a high ﬁdelity rate (1.75 nests/ animal). Nest sites that had been identiﬁed using radiotracking were matched with 24 randomly selected nonnest sites (located within an area deﬁned by the sum of all individual home ranges), and all sites were characterized according to their macro- and micro-habitat parameters. Using a generalized linear model, we tested three hypotheses: (1) a nest’s use is inﬂuenced by its proximity to food patches; (2) the degree of sheltering provided by each site inﬂuences its use; and (3) nest use is constrained by a combination of food- and shelterrelated features. Females had higher nest ﬁdelity than males, and the degree of sheltering provided by each site had a positive signiﬁcant inﬂuence on its use. Nests oﬀering higher protection (e.g., under thick vegetation), good drainage (e.g., sleep slopes), and lower human and predatory disturbance (far from orchards) were most often used. The proximity to food patches seemed to negatively inﬂuence nest use. Results indicate the need to preserve patches of natural dense vegetation near riparian habitats, which is in agreement with the focus of mammalian protection plans in Mediterranean agricultural landscapes. These patches are important areas for Apodemus sylvaticus, an acorn disperser species, which is preyed on by raptors and mammalian carnivores.</style></abstract></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Factors affecting the placement of common genet latrine sites in a Mediterranean landscape in Portugal</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Journal of mammalogy</style></secondary-title></titles><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2007</style></year></dates><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">88</style></volume><pages><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">201-207</style></pages><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">In addition to the role of latrine sites as areas for deposition of feces, they may play roles in territoriality, sexual attraction, warning and defense behaviors, and regulation of physiological functions. Several carnivores, such as the common genet (Genetta genetta) use latrines as stations for scent communication. We describe the factors influencing the placement and use of latrine sites by a Mediterranean population of common genets inhabiting cork oak woodlands in southwestern Portugal. Using logistical regression analysis, we found a higher probability of finding latrines in areas with high understory height and diversity of landscape units, low human disturbance and accessibility, and proximity to potential refuges and other latrines. An exploratory univariate analysis showed that latrines were located primarily in conspicuously high features within the landscape such as in old-growth cork oak trees. Their use was associated with low human disturbance, inaccessibility, and high understory cover. Our results suggest that forest managers should preserve some old trees in oak woodlands, because these trees have a fundamental role in scent communication among genets (latrines), as well as serve as resting sites.</style></abstract></record></records></xml>