IVth International Conference on Dormice (Rodentia, Gliridae)13 - 16 September 1999 EDÝRNE - TURKEY |
COMPARTMENTALIZATION OF BODY A FAT DORMOUSE
Kryštufek, B.
Slovenian Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 290, 1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia, e-mail: boris.krystufek@uni-lj.si
Size is one of the most basic characteristics of any animal, however, in spite of this it was until recently also one of the most neglected aspects of biology. The fat dormouse Glis glis is characterised by significant seasonal changes in body mass due to fat accumulation in autumn. I aimed to estimate regression lines among various parameters of "total" body mass (total mass, mass of a skinned animal, deviscerated body) as well as in total mass and in particular internal organs (heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen) and the skeleton. Material (> 100 dormice) was collected during regular monthly sampling in central Slovenia in 1997.