Home - Shrew
Bibliography - List of Publications
- Shrew Photo Gallery - Shrewists
on e-mail - Links - Current
inquiries - Announcements
Shrew Talk
Archive
"SHREW TALK" - Vol. 2, No. 8- 17 May 1998
SHREW TALK - 17 May 1998 - Vol. 2, No. 08
Number of Recipients: > 365
Contents of this Issue
o Editorial
o Research
1. Small mammal live traps: Alternatives to Shermans and Longworths
1a. Trip trap
1b. Ugglan Special I
1c. Ugglan Special II
1d. Ugglan Special III
1e. Bulgarian wooden box traps
1f. Havahart traps
2. Review of trapping methods
3. Baiting traps in the tropics
4. Ether / Dye marking
5. Dye marking
6. Echolocation in Cryptotis parva
7. Reviving Blarina?
o Introductions
1. Sophie Querouil: Phylogeography - Central Africa
2. Liang-Kong Lin: Reproductive ecology
3. Alex Hon-Tsen Yu: Evolution, systematics, population genetics
4. Isabel Amorim do Rosario: Molecular genetics
o Congress Announcements
1. The 2nd Italian Congress of Theriology
2. BIOECCO 2
o Miscellaneous
1. Shrews in Horticulture
2. Microtus mexicanus available for research purposes
o The Shrew Bibliography: New Papers / Books
1. Wojcik, J.M., M. Wolsan (eds.): Evolution of Shrews
o What's New on the Shrew (ist's) Site
o Shrew Talk Instructions
***********************************************************************
o EDITORIAL
***********************************************************************
Dear Shrew-Fessionals and Shrew-Mateurs,
It has been quite a long time since I sent out the last issue of ST
and quite a bulk of mail has accumulated, so this issue is a bit lengthy.
Please accept my apologies for the delay in posting your messages. I would
like to thank everybody who has contributed by sending in enquiries, photos
and reprints of papers or by simply joining the group. If you cannot find
your posting in this issue, be ascertained that it will be in ST 2/9, which
will also include information on insecticide effects, ectoparasite collection
and bibliography additions.
Your's shrewly,
Werner Haberl
***********************************************************************
o RESEARCH
***********************************************************************
1a) Trip trap
From: "Scott Seville" <sseville@acad.cc.whecn.edu>
Organization: Casper College
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 1998 15:07:34 -0600 (MDT)
You might want to try the "trip trap":
Procter Bros LTD Pantglass Industrial Estate Bedwas, Newport, Gwent
NP1 8XD Telephone (01222) 882111 , FAX (01222) 887005
You can also email Craig Thompson, sales dept. at CThompson@penlon.co.uk
This is a plastic trap that a friend of mine has used for the last
couple of years that is probably better for live-trapping shrews than a
sherman- much more sensitive plus the plastic reduces mortality due to
cold (if that's a concern). I believe that it should also be cheaper than
a sherman in Europe. I recently ordered 100 for myself specifically for
shrews.
Cheers, Scott Seville
Asst. Professor of Zoology University of Wyoming _______________________________________________________________________
1b) Ugglan Special I
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 20:00:23 -0800 (PST)
From: John D Boone <boone@med.unr.edu>
I am NOT a fan a Sherman traps for many reasons. They are hard to clean,
the mechanism is finicky and located in the worst possible spot, ie on
the floor of the trap where the trap rodent urine, feces, and bait. They
have terrible ventilation and moisture easily condenses inside the traps
A small company in Sweden makes mesh traps that I find far superior,
in addition to being cheaper (even including the overseas shipping). Unlike
Shermans, the trap mechanism is not spring loaded, but gravity controlled;
it is elevated above the floor of the traps so does not get fouled with
mouse droppings. They do not subject the trapped animals to the hi and
low temperature and humidity extremes of shermans; they have a lightweight,
integrated sun and rain cover; they will capture multiple animals and are
not subject to accidental setting off. They come in various sizes suitable
to a large range of small mammals. By the way, I have absolutely no financial
stake in any traps, so this is not a monetarily motivated endorsement.
John D. Boone boone@med.unr.edu
Dept. Biology / 314 University of Nevada, Reno Reno, NV 89557
phone/fax (702) 972-3705
_______________________________________________________________________
1c) Ugglan Special II
From: "Heikki Henttonen" <heikki.henttonen@metla.fi>
Organization: Mets{ntutkimuslaitos
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 16:26:25 EET-2
The best live trap for almost all purposes in the Swedish "Ugglan"
live trap. It is much cheaper than e.g. Shermans. The Ugglan trap in itself
has not tight roof (sides and "roof" are wire mesh), but the
trap has a separate cover, easy to put on the trap and which allows for
ventilation though sides. Yes, these traps catch more than one animal which
is a great advantage in vole research, but, I admit, may be a problem in
shrew research. The partial solution is a frequent checking of traps, which
in its turn limits the number of traps that can be used simultaneouly.
It is possbile to add bedding and also food into the trap. However, bedding
easily blocks the trappig mechanism after the animal is in the trap, which
in the case of shrews would, in fact, be an advantage. For vole research
I certainly recommend Ugglan. Recently I discussed with some Americans
who had used Ugglans and Shermans at the same time in their rodent trappings
and they all clearly preferred Ugglans. The survival of voles is better
in Ugglans than in Shermans, especially when the weather is warm or hot.
However, if the primary goal is to live trap shrews, then advantages may
be more in balance, but if adding bedding could prevent multiple captures
of shrews, then I would take Ugglans. The model with a narrow and light
treadle catches Sorex minutus. I have no experience of Crocidura. Personally
I have used Shermans in USA, and I prefer Ugglan, not to mention the price
difference. In your situation I would first order a smaller number of Ugglans
and test them with bedding and food for shrews. In my vole research I have
never used bedding.
Best regards, Heikki Henttonen
_______________________________________________________________________
1d) Ugglan Special III
From: W. Haberl - shrewbib@sorex.vienna.at
Thank you all for your advice regarding traps. I have ordered and purchased
the recommended Ugglan traps (100 pcs). The mechanism is simple and similar
to that I have used in constructing the traps I have used for my own studies
some years ago (without knowing). Indeed, the trap is cheaper than others
and it is fit for multiple catches. The only drawbacks I can see so far
are that it is a bit bulky (which means quite a heavy load when having
to set up 100 traps) and that the galvanized steel tends to rust at the
joints, but this does not affect the mechanism. Apart from that it seems
to be a neat trap. I will report to the group as soon as I have conducted
my first field trials. If there is anybody who has used this type of trap,
I would be happy to hear about your experience.
For those interested, the company in Sweden is:
GRAHNAB Ekhaga, Marieholm SE- 330 33 Hillerstorp SWEDEN Fax: 0370-932
73 Phone: 0370-932 73
As I have seen in a catalogue, the same trapping mechanism is used
in the American VICTOR M313 'Mice' Trap. The company that sells this is
the same that sells the Havaharts:
Woodstream Corporation Lititz, PA 17543-0327 Phone: 1-800-800-1819
WSHAVAHART@AOL.com
Has anybody used this Victor live trap?
Werner
_______________________________________________________________________
1e) Bulgarian wooden box traps
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 00:54:06 +0200
From: lynx@bulnet.bg (Teodora Minkova)
In the Institute of Zoology in Sofia, Bulgaria, we have been working
for many years with wooden-box traps. They are not quite sensitive to shrews
but are very efficient for rodents. They are not produced by a company
but by carpenters. I am not sure about the current price (last year one
trap cost about 2.5$). If you are interested please contact me for more
details.
Teodora
Teodora Minkova
Laboratory of Mammalogy Institute of Zoology 1,
Tzar Osvoboditel blvd, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
e-mail: lynx@bulnet.bg
_______________________________________________________________________
1f) Havahart traps
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 09:50:24 -0800
From: "Mary Smith" <v8350@bealenet.com>
From this page on their site: http://www.havahart.com/mice.htm
Model #1020 Dimensions: 10"x3"x3" This trap is recommended
for Mice, Shrews and Voles. It has a gravity action door at both ends.
This gives certain cautious species extra confidence to enter the trap
because they can see through the end. Made with 14 gauge high tensile strength
wire mesh and a galvanized steel frame.
_______________________________________________________________________
2) Review of trapping methods
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 00:52:34 +0200
From: "Igor G. Polikarpov" <protozoo@ibss.iuf.net>
Dear shrewists,
I am looking for published reviews of trapping methods (live-traps)
for small mammals (from a comparative point of view). Any references /
leads will be appreciated. Any information you can supply would be of great
value for field studies in the Crimean reserves.
Thank you in advance.
Sincerely yours, Igor Polikarpov Sevastopol, Crimea, UKRAINE
_______________________________________________________________________
3) Baiting traps in the tropics
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 11:29:08
From: Paul Meek <panres@ozemail.com.au>
Dear Colleagues
Does anyone have any tricks for shrew trapping (longworths) in the
tropics?. We have immense problems keeping our bait of peanut butter, oats,
honey and shrimp powder from growing with mould within a few days of placement.
What are others doing to keep bait active and attractive ?.
Thanks in anticipation
Paul Meek Christmas Island, Australia
_______________________________________________________________________
4) Ether / Dye marking
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1998 15:05:58 -0700
From: Stephen Petersen <ddansere@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca>
Shrew-ists
It was recently suggested to me that I might want to knock-out my shrews
so I can handle them in the field better - I need to id them by dentition.
He had used ether on woodrats. Has anyone used ether or anything else for
this purpose? Any ideas? Also awhile back I asked for information on dyes
I could use, one suggestion was Jamar and I was wondering where I could
get product information on this dye.
Thanks Stephen
Stephen D. Petersen
Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta,
T6J 2E9
Phone (403) 492-4622 Fax (403) 492-1903
_______________________________________________________________________
5) Dye marking
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 11:43:24 -0400
From: Kara Vlasman <kvlasman@uoguelph.ca>
Subject: dye marking techniques for small mammals
I need a protocol for identifying individual small mammals such as
deer mice and squirrels during observational studies. Due to their small
sizes, I believe I need to resort to dye marking techniques. The study
will last two summers however, I am hoping the dye markings will remain
for at least one summer. Any suggestions on protocols that have worked
well in the past and references that may be of use would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kara Vlasman
Department of Zoology
University: (519) 824-4120 ext.6307 University of Guelph
e-mail: kvlasman@uoguelph.ca
Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1
_______________________________________________________________________
6) Echolocation in Cryptotis parva
From: MERSEDEH J <MERSEDEHJ@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1998 06:07:19 EDT
I am currently working on my Masters in Biology and my research is
on Echolocation in Cryptotis parva. While recording these animals we have
noticed something rather particular. It seems as if they might be producing
their ultrasonic sounds using their teeth. Before we begin to try and examine
this possibility closely I wanted to know if anyone has noticed or even
studied this behavior before. Might this be a reason for their red tipped
teeth? I would greatly appreciate any input or suggestions anyone might
have.
Mersedeh Jalili
1010 Bette Lane Glenview, IL 60025 USA
_______________________________________________________________________
7) Reviving Blarina?
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 11:54:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: Kathleen Logiudice <klogiu@eden.rutgers.edu>
I am a graduate student doing research on Peromyscus leucopus (the
white-footed mouse) and I frequently capture Blarina brevicauda (short-tailed
shrew) in my traps. Through the long, cold winter nights I checked the
traps at midnight and again at dawn and never lost a mouse or shrew to
hypothermia. Now that the nights are shorter and warmer, I am not checking
the traps as frequently (I check once starting at 5:00 am) and I have had
a couple of Blarina brevicauda mortalities. They were not dead when I got
to the trap, but quite morbid and, although I tried to warm them up in
my shirt, both died. I realize that they are probably starving as much
as suffering from hypothermia and am wondering if I might be able to revive
them with a glucose solution and a dropper bottle or some such easy-to-carry
first aid. Do you think this would work or do you have any other suggestions?
Any help you can give me would really be appreciated.
Thanks for your help. Sincerely, Kathleen LoGiudice
Rutgers University Department of Ecology Evolution and Natural Resources
klogiu@eden.rutgers.edu
***********************************************************************
o INTRODUCTIONS
***********************************************************************
1) Sophie Querouil: Phylogeography - Central Africa
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 16:45:22 +0100
From: Sophie Querouil <querouil@kbinirsnb.be>
I'm a new shrewist. I work on "phylogeographic relationships among
Central African Shrews". I was delighted to find your site. It will
allow me to keep an eye on what is going on all over the world. I wish
you could include my address in your list. Here are my coordinates: QUEROUIL
#Sophie #UMR 6552 CNRS -Paimpont -FRANCE (affiliative address)#Section
of Taxonomy and Molecular Systematics -Royal Institute of Natural Sciences
- Rue Vautier, 29 -1050 Bruxelles -BELGIUM (present address) #Phylogeography
- Muroid Rodents and Shrews- Central Africa
Hoping to hear from you soon. Yours sincerely.
Sophie QUEROUIL
_______________________________________________________________________
2) Liang-Kong Lin: Reproductive ecology
From: "Liang-Kong Lin" <lklin555@ms21.hinet.net>
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 22:32:24 +0800
I am glad to join the shrewists on email. In Taiwan, we have about
9 species of Insectivora. The biology of shrews is still not known very
well. I hope to contact everyone who is interested the fauna of Taiwan's
shrews very soon.
Dr. Liang-Kong Lin, Associate Prof. Lab. Wildlife Eco. Dept. of Biology
Tunghai University, Taichung Taiwan tel:886-4-3590121-3240-33 fax:886-4-3595845
email: lklin@s867.thu.edu.tw
Interests : shrew and bat biology Publication: Reproductive ecology
of the house shrew (Suncus murinus) in the campus of Tunghai University.
1996. Tunghai Journal 36: 151-162 (in Chinese).
_______________________________________________________________________
3) Alex Hon-Tsen Yu: Evolution, systematics, population genetics
Date: Mon, 15 Apr 1996 17:48:11 +0800
From: Alex hon-Tsen Yu <ayu@ccms.ntu.edu.tw>
Organization: Dept. of Zoology, National Taiwan University
Alex Hon-Tsen Yu, Associate Professor Department of Zoology, National
Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, 106, ROC tel: 886223630231 ext 2127
fax: 886223638179 e-mail: ayu@ccms.ntu.edu.tw
Interests: evolution, systematics, population genetics Publications:
(1) YP Fang, LL Lee, FH Yew and HT Yu. Systematics of white-toothed shrews
(Crocidura) (Mammalia: Insectivora: Soricidae) of Taiwan: karyological
and morphological studies. J. Zool., Lond. 242: 151-166 (1997). (2) M Motokawa,
HT Yu, YP Fang, HC Cheng, LK Lin and M Harada. Re-evaluation of the status
of Chodsigoa sodalis Thomas, 1913 (Mammalia: Insectivora: Soricidae) Zoological
Studies 36(1): 42-27 (1997).
_______________________________________________________________________
4) Isabel Amorim do Rosario: Molecular genetics
I am a Grad. Student in the Dep.of Biology at UCLA. I am doing some
molecular work on small mammals (Shrews and Moles).
Isabel Amorim do Rosario Department of Biology, UCLA 621 Circle Drive
South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606 Room 5222, Phone (310) 825-5014 e-mail
address: isabelr@biology.ucla.edu
***********************************************************************
o CONGRESS ANNOUNCEMENTS
***********************************************************************
1) The 2nd Italian Congress of Theriology
http://www.varbio.unimi.it/bio/atit
_______________________________________________________________________
2) BIOECCO 2
The Macedonian Museum of Natural History is organizing The Second International
Congress on "Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation of the Balkan
Fauna" which will be held on September 16-20, 1998 in Ohrid, Macedonia.
The 2nd Circular, Preregistration Forms, Abstract Submission Forms
and Info: http://members.vienna.at/shrew/biodiv-congress.html <A HREF="http://members.vienna.at/shrew/biodiv-congress.html">BIOECCO
2 Info</A>
Suggested Thematic Titles of the Congress' Sessions
1. Global Biodiversity - General aspects. 2. The Balkans as a biodiversity
hotspot. 3. Faunistic diversity, ecology and conservation of terrestrial
ecosystems. 4. Faunistic diversity, ecology and conservation of freshwater
ecosystems. 5. Faunistic diversity, ecology and conservation of marine
ecosystems. 6. Biogeography. 7. The Balkan Lakes:Problems and Solutions.
8. Palaeontology and Arhaeozoology:windows to the past. 9. Parasitology.
10. Population genetic and evolution. 11. Ontogenesis and morphogenesis.
12. Human effects on landscape and fauna. 13. Conservation of the Balkan
heritage 14. Biodiversity of other biogeographic regions.
Contact: Dr. Svetozar Petkovski Macedonian Museum of Natural History,
Boulevard Ilinden 86, MK-91000 Skopje 5, MACEDONIA Fax: (++389) 91 116
453 E-mail: macmusnh@unet.com.mk
W. Haberl Organizing Committee Austria
BIOECCO 2 Webpages
***********************************************************************
o MISCELLANEOUS
***********************************************************************
1) Shrews in Horticulture
Date: Thu, 30 Apr 1998 04:18:55 -0700
From: "jul pij" <juliettepijnakker@mailexcite.com>
I have a paper to do on "shrews on fields" for my horticulture
school and i have to tell if the shrews we find in france make damages
in the fields with their galeries and if they could eat sometimes some
vegetables. i have to write if a shrew could eat slugs. (which species?)
if i put it in my garden would the shrew be benefic or not? i know the
shrew could eat the slugs but it would eat worms too. what do you think
about it? and if i put a shrew in the greenhouse from my school, would
it survive? (20°c and light) i would like to know too how i can keep
shrews in captivity. how to feed it (babies and adults), what to do to
for their comfort. i know that they are very active and they need a lot
of space. if you have any information, articles about what i am searching
for, please send them to me.
thanks. sincerely, juliette
_______________________________________________________________________
2) Microtus mexicanus available for research purposes
From: A1400015@NICKEL.LAURENTIAN.CA
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 1998 15:28:50 -0500 (EST)
We have available a small research animal colony of Mexican Voles (Microtus
mexicanus). There are about 60 and reproduce well in a controlled environment.
Please contact C.Blomme at (705) 675-1151 ext 2115. They would be available
to a liscensed institution for research purposes, preferably in Ontario.
Chris Blomme
Laurentian University
a1400015@nickel.laurentian.ca
Sudbury, Ontario Department of Biology P3E 2C6 705-675-1151 (ext 2115)
***********************************************************************
o SHREW BIBLIOGRAPHY: New Papers ***********************************************************************
ÒThe Shrew BibliographyÓ is a collection of more than
6000 references to research on the biology of the Soricidae (Insectivora,
Mammalia) and small mammal ecology. More info: http://members.vienna.at/shrew/shrewbib.html
To announce your new research papers/books, please follow the instructions
(separate fields with the character "#"): Author(s)#Year#Title#Journal&Page
No.#Abstract#Keywords#Address *I* would appreciate receiving a reprint
of your paper and/or a list of your publications to add to the bibliography.
_______________________________________________________________________
1) Wojcik, J.M., M. Wolsan (eds.): Evolution of Shrews
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 22:29:18 +0100
From: "Jan M. Wojcik" <jwojcik@bison.zbs.bialowieza.pl>
This is an information about a new book that will come soon:
EVOLUTION OF SHREWS Editors: J. M. WOJCIK and M. WOLSAN
Publisher: Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences 17-230
BIALOWIEZA, Poland
Year of publication: 1998 Estimated publication date: May 1998 Number
of pages: xii + 458 pp. Cover: Hardback Book size: 24 cm ISBN 83-907521-0-7
Price: 38 USD
In spite of an apparent recent increase of interest in shrews and an
impressive bibliography on the evolution of this fascinating group of mammals,
until now there has been no comprehensive work that deals with current
problems in shrew evolutionary research. This book represents an attempt
to redress this omission, by offering a volume that seeks to review the
present state of our knowledge of shrew evolutionary biology.
Authors and Contents: Introduction - M. Wolsan and J.M. Wojcik 1. A
classification of the fossil and Recent shrews - J.W.F. Reumer 2. Fossil
history of shrews in Europe - B. Rzebik-Kowalska 3. Fossil history of shrews
in Asia - G. Storch, Zh. Qiu and V.S. Zazhigin 4. Fossil history of shrews
in Africa - P.M. Butler 5. Fossil history of shrews in North America -
A.H. Harris 6. Dental adaptations in shrews - E. Dannelid 7. Chromosomal
evolution in shrews - J. Zima, L. Lukacova and M. Macholan 8. Chromosomal
evolution: The case of Sorex araneus - J.B. Searle and J.M. Wojcik 9. Protein
evolution in shrews - M. Ruedi 10. Mitochondrial DNA evolution in shrews
- J. Hausser, L. Fumagalli and P. Taberlet 11. Evolution of energetic strategies
in shrews - J.R.E. Taylor 12. Evolution of social systems in shrews - L.
Rychlik 13. Shrew mating systems - P. Stockley and J.B. Searle Appendix:
A list of the living species of shrews - M. Wolsan and R. Hutterer Taxonomic
index
To order book online: http://bison.zbs.bialowieza.pl/evol/evol.htm
For further information please contact: Library Mammal Research Institute
Polish Academy of Sciences 17-230 Bialowieza, Poland
E-mail: evolbook@bison.zbs.bialowieza.pl
Jan M. Wojcik
Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences 17-230 Bialowieza,
Poland
Tel., office: (+48) 85 6812278 Tel., home: (+48) 85 6812462 Fax: (+48)
85 6812289
E-mail: jwojcik@bison.zbs.bialowieza.pl
Note: The book announcement is also at http://members.vienna.at/shrew/bibbook-evol.html
***********************************************************************
o WHAT'S NEW ON THE SHREW (ist's) SITE? ***********************************************************************
http://members.vienna.at/shrew
o Last Update: 8 January 1998
o Number of Visitors (Date: 17 May 1998): >8406
o Number of "Shrewists on E-mail": >210 (registered on
the website)
o Number of recipients: >365
***********************************************************************
o SHREW TALK INSTRUCTIONS
***********************************************************************
TO POST TO THE GROUP
All replies to the Shrew Talk inquiries should be posted to the group.
However, if you prefer to reply to someone personally, *I* would appreciate
receiving a copy of the mail (Cc or Bcc) and/or a summary of the "outcome".
Reply to shrewbib@sorex.vienna.at
- include the words "Shrew Talk" in the subject line.
SHREW TALK is archived and back issues can be read at: http://members.vienna.at/shrew/shrewtalk.html
If you would like mail to go to Werner Haberl rather than to the group,
DO NOT include the words "Shrew Talk" in the subject line and/or
please indicate in the body of the letter that it is personal.
To be removed from the list, write to the same address and ask to be
removed. ***********************************************************************
==================================================================
Dr. Werner Haberl Editor, SHREW TALK (http://members.vienna.at/shrew/shrewtalk.html)
Hamburgerstr. 11, A-1050 Vienna, Austria
Email: shrewbib@sorex.vienna.at URL: http://members.vienna.at/shrew
(The Shrew (ist's) Site)
The Shrew Bibliography (> 6000 references) (available on CD ROM)
==================================================================
This web site was created by
Dr. Werner Haberl. Address: Hamburgerstrasse
11, A-1050 Vienna, Austria.
E-mail: shrewbib@sorex.vienna.at
URL: http://members.vienna.at/shrew
