The Common Hamster (Cricetus Cricetus): Perspectives on an Endangered SpeciesEva Millesi, Hans Winkler, Renate Hengsberger Austrian Academy of Sciences Press, 2008 - 126 Seiten The Common Hamster is a fascinating species that differs from other hibernating small mammals in several aspects. Females have up to three litters per season and under favourable conditions both males and females are sexually mature in their first year. The ability to cache food changes the need for fattening prior to hibernation and consequently can alter the pattern of reproductive activity. The Common Hamster has lived in agricultural areas in close association with humans for centuries. During the last few decades, the loss of suitable habitats and modern agriculture technology have brought the species close to extinction in many areas. It has thus been listed as a highly threatened species in several European countries. Preventative measures require detailed knowledge about the biology of the species and a "hamster-friendly" management scheme in agricultural areas. In this volume, contributions made at the 13th Meeting of the International Hamster Workgroup have been summarized. Studies investigating burrow architecture, population dynamics, predation pressure, life span and reproductive activity underline the environmental flexibility of the species. The results of conservation programs are presented and discussed. Reports of breeding regimes with selected light-dark-cycles that can be used to optimize reproductive output and may benefit reintroduction projects have also been included. Generally the presented results should help broaden our knowledge about the Common Hamster and promote international networks to plan, implement, coordinate and evaluate management programs. |
Häufige Begriffe und Wortgruppen
active season Adatok adult males ADVANCE group agricultural Alsace animals Aquila Austria Baden-Württemberg body mass Braunschweig breeding facility burrow architecture burrow entrances capture circannual circannual clock Common Hamster Cricetus Common Hamster populations compensation area decrease DELAY group diameter Ecology European ground squirrels European hamster Feldhamster Cricetus cricetus females FRANCESCHINI Germany GRULICH Habitats Directive hamster burrows Hamster Cricetus cricetus hibernation Hungary increase International Hamster juveniles KAYSER litters LOSINGER male Common Hamsters mammals mating period mating phase maximum life span MILLESI monitoring nature conservation NECHAY number of burrow Ökologie und Schutz ONCFS origin habitat outbreaks over-winter survival Palacky University peak photoperiod population density posthibernation predation prey pups range recapture distances regression reintroduction remigration reproductive period rodent SELUGA species Spermophilus spring Steppe Polecat sters Strasbourg STUBBE testes tion track tubes translocated trapped turnover rates University of Vienna Vienna VOHRALIK WEIDLING WEINHOLD winter mortality yearling males yearlings