• Login
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    Studies on the ecology & behaviour of British shrews 
    •   QMRO Home
    • Queen Mary University of London Theses
    • Theses
    • Studies on the ecology & behaviour of British shrews
    •   QMRO Home
    • Queen Mary University of London Theses
    • Theses
    • Studies on the ecology & behaviour of British shrews
    ‌
    ‌

    Browse

    All of QMROCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects
    ‌
    ‌

    Administrators only

    Login
    ‌
    ‌

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Studies on the ecology & behaviour of British shrews

    View/Open
    CHURCHFIELDStudiesOn1979.pdf (15.61Mb)
    Publisher
    Queen Mary University of London
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    All five species of British shrews (Sorex araneus, S. minut, Neomys fodiens, Crocidura suaveolens and C. russula were studied with the emphasis being placed on the commoner species. The population dynamics and seasonal fluctuations in numbers of S. araneus and S. ininutus were investigated. A seasonal cycle of captures of S. araneus was demonstrated, with peaks of occurrence in summer, low numbers in winter and a re-emergence of high numbers in spring. Closer study indicated a great mortality of old adults and. juveniles in autumn which commenced before the onset of harsh weather conditions, but overwintering survival of remaining shrews was high. Home ranges and activity of S. araneus appeared to be reduced in winttc. A study of food availability aid diet of S. araneus, S. ininutus and N. fodiens showed major prey items to include adult coleopterans, insect larvae, araneids, isopods and lumbrlcids which occurred In large numbers throughout the year; no decrease in numbers or biomass of prey was found to account for the decrease in body weight of shrews in autumn and winter aid their apparent decline in numbers. Food consumption of shrews ranged from 4 of the body weight daily for C. suaveolens to i6 for S. minutus, but was not directly related to body weight within a species. Conaurnption by S. araneus was reduced at low temperatures. Studies of fat storage by wild. shrews showed no great seasonal differences, although captive shrews ac.cumirulated fat in warm conditions. Studies on the foraging and burrowing behaviour of S. araneu3 showed that they are generally poor burrowers but that they are able to recover insect pupae buried up to 120mm deep in soil. It is sugges ted. that overwintering shrews adopt a more subterranean existence, spending longer periods in the nest to conserve body heat aid less time foraging. Mortality due to increased. predation in autumn, aid reduced activity on the ground surface probably account for low numbers of captures in winter.
    Authors
    Churchfield, Jane Sara
    URI
    http://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/1383
    Collections
    • Theses [3706]
    Copyright statements
    The copyright of this thesis rests with the author and no quotation from it or information derived from it may be published without the prior written consent of the author
    Twitter iconFollow QMUL on Twitter
    Twitter iconFollow QM Research
    Online on twitter
    Facebook iconLike us on Facebook
    • Site Map
    • Privacy and cookies
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility
    • Contacts
    • Intranet
    • Current students

    Modern Slavery Statement

    Queen Mary University of London
    Mile End Road
    London E1 4NS
    Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 5555

    © Queen Mary University of London.