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Flea burden and its influence on nest selection and use in Dryomys nitedula Pallas, 1778

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Abstract

Since dormice usually use natural tree hollows or artificial nest boxes as nest sites and these nests are reused from 1 year to another, the present study investigated how the parasite loads from old nests affected the behaviour of the forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula Pallas, 1778. Dormice were subjected to three different experiments: 1. They were given the choice of a nest box infected with ectoparasites and a new unused nest box; 2. Dormice were given the choice of a treated (uninfected) previously used nest boxes and previously used nest box that was infected; and 3. Using infrared motion sensor cameras, we tested weather they preferred to avoid nest boxes when only infected nests were available. The results revealed that the females with pups are pickier when choosing the nursery site. These preferred empty nest boxes or nest boxes with treated nests instead of the infested ones. However, non-breeding adults and sub-adults showed indifference to the flea infestation of the nest.

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Acknowledgments

I am especially indebted to my family for unconditional support during my PhD thesis and further on. Also, I would like to thank many generations of students, without whose help, the deployment of such large number of nest boxes on the slopes of the rugged Domogled Mountain would have been a more daunting task. I express my gratitude also to my professors, Dr. Dan Stănescu from the West University of Timișoara and Dr. Iordache Ion from the University “Al. I. Cuza” from Iași, for their guidance and support. Last but not least, I am grateful to two anonymous reviewers for their valuable help in preparing the final version of the manuscript.

Ethical note

All the experiments were designed and performed outdoors. The dormice were not harmed in any way, and they were always free. The Phodopus campbelli used for raising fleas were always adults and received food and water ad libitum. Their flea infestation was controlled each week, and the infestation degree was limited to a maximum of 15 adult fleas per adult P. campbelli.

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  1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Chemistry–Biology–Geography, West University of Timişoara, Pestalozzi no. 16 Street, Timişoara, 300115, Romania

    Ioan Duma

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  1. Ioan Duma
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Correspondence to Ioan Duma.

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Communicated by: Karol Zub

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Duma, I. Flea burden and its influence on nest selection and use in Dryomys nitedula Pallas, 1778. Acta Theriol 58, 419–423 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-013-0139-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-013-0139-8

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