Distribution and ecology of small mammals in Albania

Abstract

In order to gain an insight into the population dynamics and habitat preferences of rodents in Albania, small mammals were collected during 2006–2009 in various districts of the country. Of the 15 species of small mammals captured (12 in Rodentia and 3 in Insectivora order), the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) was the most frequently collected, representing 50% of the 325 small mammals captured, followed by the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) (20.62%). Apodemus flavicollis is the primary reservoir for Dobrava–Belgrade virus which causes to humans hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome; the places with A. flavicollis abundance were those with records of the human disease. Knowledge of the reservoir ecology in a country facilitates risk assessments for rodent-borne diseases.

Keywords:

• small mammals
• ecology
• rodent-borne diseases
• Albania

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Ina Loçi, Bajram Kastrati, Et'hem Llabani and Nexhmi Lita, for helping in the field and lab work.