HABITAT SEGREGATION OF 3 SYMPATRIC FOSSORIAL RODENTS IN THE SPANISH PYRENEES

Studied the microhabitat selection among three species of sympatric fo ssorial voles of the subgenus Terricola above the timberline in the Sp anish Pyrenees. The intensity of habitat use in each plot was estimate d by means of the capture data and by counts of mounds made by the fos sorial activity of each species. Environmental features were measured and related to the occupation level of each species by means of correl ations and correspondence analysis. Results reveal some segregation be tween the three species in factors such as soil thickness and percenta ge of plant cover. Microtus pyrenaicus, an endemic species, prefers de ep soils and dense plant cover, while M. duodecimcostatus seems to avo id plots with many large rocks, high slopes and prefers dense plant co ver, and M. lusitanicus prefers low plant cover and shallow soils.