Mammals in MZNA-VERT: project CAS

Study Extent

The study was carried out in Navarra. As this collection is a part of a bigger project, only seven localities were sampled instead of the eight biotopes that were originally chosen. In each locality were studied one or two types of habitats: •Bardenas Reales: Mediterranean maquis and aleppo pine repopulation. •Sansoain: holm oak forest and black pine repopulation. •Carrascal: Mediterranean scrub. •Bigüezal: scots pine forest and meadow. •Beunza: Japanese larch repopulation forest. •Quinto Real: Japanese larch repopulation forest and meadow. •Irati: beech forest.

Sampling

Sampling took place between 1982 and 1983. Traps were used for sampling the small mammals’ community. They were active for 15 days. All captured specimens were euthanized and brought to the laboratory for further studies.

Quality Control

All specimens are deposited in the Zoological Museum of the University of Navarra (MZNA, Pamplona, Spain) in the ‘Project CAS’. All the species were sexed and identified in field (when possible) but taxonomic identity of each specimen was verified by Carmen Escala using suitable literature (e.g. Niethammer & Krapp 1978; Gosálbez 1987). Scientific names were validated according to Mammal Species of the World (Wilson and Reeder 2005, Palomo et al. 2007). Once processed, data of each specimen was incorporated to MZNA database (Zootron v4.5, Ariño 1991). Unique catalogue numbers were assigned to each specimen. Coordinates in UTM/MGRS were transformed to geographic system. The consistency of all records was checked by visual inspection overlapping coordinates with a Europe map using GIS (Chapman 2005) and their uncertainty was calculated in metres using the point-radius method.

Method steps

1. Specimens brought to the laboratory were euthanized and frozen. Afterwards, they were processed separating skin and skull from the rest of the body. First, skin was removed, cleaned and dried. Then, skulls and mandibles were boiled and flesh was removed from them. After that, they were placed in zip plastic bags with their unique catalogue number. For most of the specimens the following measures were taken: body length, tail length, ear length, hind foot length, fore foot length, condyle-basal length, basal length, rostral length, upper molar row length and lower molar row length. Information of each record was incorporated to MZNA database (Zootron v4.5, Ariño 1991).

Specimens were firstly sexed and identified to genus or species level in field using external morphology. Then, they were transported to the laboratory where their taxonomic identity was verified using cranial/teeth features and suitable literature (Gosálbez 1987). The collection is composed of Rodentia and Soricomorpha orders, 3 families and 9 species. Muridae is the most abundant family being Apodemus sylvaticus the best sampled species, being approximately the 70% of the collection. Soricidae are 29 specimens belonging to three species and Cricetidae are 19 specimens belonging to 4 species.

1. Animalia
   rank: kingdom
2. Chordata
   rank: phylum
3. Mammalia
   rank: class
4. Rodentia
   rank: order
5. Soricomorpha
   rank: order
6. Cricetidae
   rank: family
7. Muridae
   rank: family
8. Soricidae
   rank: family
9. Apodemus
   rank: genus
10. Crocidura
    rank: genus
11. Microtus
    rank: genus
12. Mus
    rank: genus
13. Sorex
    rank: genus
14. Apodemus sp
    rank: species
15. Apodemus sylvaticus
    rank: species
16. Crocidura russula
    rank: species
17. Microtus agrestis
    rank: species
18. Microtus duodecimcostatus
    rank: species
19. Microtus gerbei
    rank: species
20. Mus spretus
    rank: species
21. Myodes glareolus
    rank: species
22. Sorex coronatus
    rank: species
23. Sorex minutus
    rank: species
24. Myodes
    rank: genus

The collection is formed by specimens from Navarra. Due to the aim of the project specimens come from different zones of Navarra which differ in their land cover uses and human reforestation.