Random Processes and Use of Space in the Common Shrew (Sorex araneus L.)

The proportion of jointly visited traps and the frequency of visits to the traps recorded during mark-recapture studies have been compared with the mathematical expectation obtained in a computer experiment based on the assumption that traps located in an equivalent space are visited at random. It has been found that the numbers of jointly visited traps in all sex-age groups of shrews are close to those expected for the random pattern of visits and do not exceed the boundaries of the confidence interval for 1000 repeated simulations. The number of visits of neighbors to traps located within the home ranges of individual shrews corresponds to the proportion of traps visited by two or more animals, indicating that neighbors have no effect on the frequency of visitation. In view of specific biological features of common shrews, the system of space use based on the random distribution and stochastic interaction of resident animals may be considered optimal for this species.

Automated summary

The study found that the visiting pattern of shrews is close to random, and neighbors do not affect the visitation frequency. Given the specific biological features of common shrews, the system of space use based on random distribution and stochastic interaction of resident animals may be considered optimal for this species.