TERRESTRIAL MAMMAL FAUNA AND THREATENED SPECIES IN FRANCE

ABSTRACT- With the passing of time, the terrestrial mammal fauna changed considerably in France: definitive extinctions, temporary disappearances, natural reapparitions, introductions and reintroductions. 2 1 species are considered as threatened (endangered and vulnerab1e)and two have completely disappeared. However, more precise data are needed for a few of them. Key Words: Threatened species, Terrestrial mammals, France. The terrestrial mammal fauna of France includes 99 regular, breeding species, of which 1 I are introduced species and 5 regular non breeding. Such a fauna is relatively rich: it represents about 45 % of European species. France's biogeographic position is favourable and representative of European diversity owing a wide variety of situations including continental, atlantic, alpine and mediterranean. Strictly speaking, France has no national endemic mammals but shares several endemic species with neighbouring countries: it is the case for Pyrenean desman (Calemys pyrenaicus) and several species of Microtus terricola (Beaufort and Fayard, 1983) During ancient historical periods (before 1600), four species have disappeared