Morphological parameters of the fat dormouse (Glis glis L.) in the forests of Gorski kotar

In forests of Gorski kotar, Croatia the fat dormouse (Glis glis L.) is the numerous dormouse species. In years with high population densities fat dormice start cause damage on trees. Mainly they damage the bark of common spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). This work presents the analysis of morphological parameters of 248 caught individuals (119 males and 129 females) of fat dormouse. Animals were caught on three locations from year 2001 to 2009 in forests managed by "Hrvatske sume" d.o.o. Zagreb, forest administration Delnice. First location represents forest culture of common spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) (location "a") under management of forest office Delnice. Second and third locations under management of forest office Mrkopalj represent forest culture of common spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) (location "b") and natural forest of common beech (association Fagetum montanum croaticum Ht.) (location "c"). Animals were caught with snap traps set individually or in pairs in trees around 1 to 5 meters above ground. Ripe pods of the carob tree were used as bait. Traps were set late afternoon and checked next day early in the morning or during the day. Body length as morphological parameter was measured with steel tape and body mass with one gram accuracy scale. In total on all three locations 127 individuals were caught in year 2001, 53 individuals in year 2007 and 68 individuals in year 2009. For the whole time period 102/248 animals were caught on location "a", 64/248 on location "b" and 82/248 on location "c". On all 3 locations in year 2001 the highest number of animals was recorded reflecting favorable trophical conditions. Analysis of animals showed for all three locations 1:1 sex ratio with small difference on location "c" with sex ratio of 1:1.16 (m.f). The data shows max body length with 43.0 cm that was recorded on location "b" and min with 23.5 cm on location "a". Max and min body mass (250g, 55g) were recorded on location "a". The maximal body length with tail and body mass were recorded in years with small population densities, which corresponds to previous findings of increased body mass in years with unfavorable trophic conditions (Bieber 1997). Sheffe's post hoc test shows significant differences and fluctuations of measured parameters between different locations and years. Result also show on average larger and heavier animals in natural forests of common beech and smaller and lighter animals in forest culture of common spruce. These interesting findings show different body weight and length depending on habitat of dormouse.