Resource partitioning between the bank vole clethrionomys glareolus and the wood mouse apodemus sylvaticus in woodland habitats

Spatial and food resource use, and activity time were studied in syntopical populations of bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus and wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus in woodland habitats. In every habitat, the two species selected different microhabitats; the abundance of thin vegetation 2nd size and dispersion of overstorey trees were generally the variables that segregated the microhabitat, but no constant preferences were shown by the two species in every habitat. Time activity rhythms were significantly different, with the bank vole showing a multi-phase diel activity, while the wood mouse was strictly nocturnal. However, the diets of the two species overlapped almost completely; the wood mouse showed a higher preference for 2 seed-formed diet, while the bank vole showed both folivore and granivore feeding habits. The differences in microhabitat selection and activity time rhythms suggested a shifting in resource use due to competition between the two species; the absence of significant differences in diet was thought to be related with the role of primary consumers played by these rodents in the woodland habitats