Small Mammalian Fauna of South Tyrol
Since 1995, the Museum of Nature South Tyrol has conducted investigations on small mammalians native to the region. The expression "small mammalians" includes moles (Talpidae) and shrews (Soricidae) belonging to the Order of Insectivora, as well as dormice (Gliridae), True Mice (Muidae), and Arvicolidans (voles, lemmings, and muskrats), all of which belong to the Order of Rodentia (rodents). South Tyrol has been determined to be home to a total of 25 species.
Goal of the Project
- Registration of the spectrum of species by means of capture with non-deadly traps, tips from the local inhabitants, and the re-evaluation of historical data.
- Research on the distribution boundaries of various different species and the reasons for their existence (in co-operation with adjacent regions).
- Detailed studies on the use of habitats of selected small mammalian species.
- Administration of the resultant data in the database of the Museum of Nature South Tyrol.
- Establishment and continual expansion of a collection of specimens (skull, pelts, and specimens preserved in alcohol; tissue samples).
Every Mouse Counts!
Everyone can help our research work. If you find dead small mammals, please send them to the Museum of Nature together with the filled-out form so that they can be identified. If it isn't possible to immediately send a dead animal to us, it can be frozen in a clean plastic bag and submitted later.
Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information!
- Petra Kranebitter, Museum of Nature South Tyrol, Bindergasse 1, 39100 Bozen, Phone: 0471/412973, E-Mail: petra.kranebitter@naturmuseum.it
- Eva Ladurner, E-Mail: eva.ladurner@dnet.it
Thank you for your assistance!
Publications
- MANNI M., MÜLLER, J.P., LADURNER E. & G. RASOLA, 1999: Nur eine Maus...das verborgene Leben kleiner Säugetiere. Broschüre zur gleichnamigen Sonderausstellung, 38 S.
- LADURNER E. & J.P. MÜLLER, 2001: Die Kleinsäuger des Vinschgau: Artenvielfalt, Höhenverbreitung, Lebensgemeinschaften. - Gredleriana 1: 249-273.
- LADURNER E. & N. CAZZOLLI, 2001 : Baumschläfer am Ritten nachgewiesen. - Landesforstdienst, Aut. Prov. Bozen. - INFO, 13. Jg., 4/2001: 7-9.
- LADURNER E. & N. CAZZOLLI, 2002 : Kleinsäuger-Erhebung am Ritten (Südtirol, Italien) : Artenspektrum, Habitatnutzung, Kletterverhalten. - Gredleriana 2: 183-204.
- LADURNER E. & N. CAZZOLLI, 2003: Die Kleinsäugerfauna im Unterland und Überetsch (Südtirol, Italien), unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Montiggler Waldes. - Gredleriana 3: 313-332.
- LADURNER E., 2004: Die Etschufer zwischen Meran und Salurn (Südtirol, Italien): ein geeigneter Lebensraum für Kleinsäuger? - Gredleriana 4: 363-380.
- LADURNER E., 2004: Daheim in den „unteren Etagen“ des Naturparks - der Siebenschläfer. - Parks - Naturparke in Südtirol 1/2004: 9.