Summary
We studied the activity budget and the circadian activity rhythm of European minks (Mustela lutreola) in an area of its western range in which American mink (M. vison) didn't occur. 5 males and 2 females were radiotracked for different time intervals over a year. Activity was determined by the variation of radio-signal strength. Mink were active primarily at night. The low activity of males during the daytime concentrated around the resting sites and within dense shrub patches. Males showed higher overall and crepuscular activity during the mating season.
Zusammenfassung
Untersucht wurden das Aktivitätsbudget und der circadiane Aktivitätsrhythmus von Nerzen (Mustela lutreola) in einer Region im Westen ihres Verbreitungsgebietes, in welcher der Mink (Mustela vison) nicht vorkommt. Während eines Jahres wurden 5 Männchen und 2 Weibchen über unterschiedliche Zeiträume hinweg telemetriert. Die Aktivität wurde anhand der Veränderungen in der Stärke des Radiosignals bestimmt. Die Nerze waren hauptsächlich nachtaktiv. Männchen wiesen eine geringe Tagesaktivität auf, die sich auf die Umgebung der Ruheplätze und dichte Gebüschinseln konzentrierte. Während der Fortpflanzungsperiode waren die allgemeine Aktivität und die Dämmerungsaktivität der Männchen erhöht.
Résumé
Le budget d'activité et le rythme circadien de visons d'Europe (Mustela lutreola) ont été étudiés dans un site de la partie orientale de son aire de dispersion et non colonisé par le Vison d'Amérique (M. vison). 5 mâles et 2 femelles ont été suivis par radio-télémétrie à différentes périodes au cours d'une année. L'activité a été déterminée par la variation de l'intensité du signal-radio. Les visons se montrèrent actifs principalement au cours de la nuit. La faible activité des mâles au cours de la phase diurne s'est concentrée autour des lieux de repos et au c∄ur de fourrés denses. Les mâles ont présenté une activité générale plus intense et plus crépusculaire au cours de la période de rut.
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Garin, I., Aihartza, J., Zuberogoitia, I. et al. Activity pattern of European mink (Mustela lutreola) in Southwestern Europe. Zeitschrift für Jagdwissenschaft 48, 102–106 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02193548
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02193548