Ecological release: swimming and diving behavior of an allopatric population of the Mediterranean water shrew

• DOI: 10.1644/11-mamm-a-364.1
• Publication Date: 2013-02-18T16:44:24Z
• Authors: Joaquim T. Tapisso; Maria G. Ramalhinho; Maria L. Mathias; Leszek Rychlik
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 14. Life underwater; 01 natural sciences

In regions where the 2 species are sympatric, Eurasian water shrew, Neomys fodiens, dominates behaviorally and numerically over Mediterranean anomalus, tends to exclude it from direct access aquatic habitats. Portugal, ecological release can be expected in behavioral traits of N. anomalus due absence dominant fodiens. We investigated swimming diving skills efficiency underwater foraging 9 individuals Serra da Estrela, central Portugal. Efficiency was analyzed short-duration tests. Foraging behavior assessed through video records shrews a terrarium that simulated terrestrial Our results were compared with data previously obtained for fodiens coexisting sympatry Bialowieza Forest, eastern Poland. contrast sympatric Polish allopatric Portuguese more efficient some parameters (such as stroking frequency) showed greater variation profiles. Allopatric also able take food deep water, had been observed only success underwater, however, much lower than suggest use modes: wading shallow (its primary mode) thus extending its niche.