REPRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF THE HERB FIELD-MOUSE, APODEMUS-MICROPS (MURIDAE) IN THE EASTERN SLOVAKIAN LOWLANDS

A population of the herb field mouse (Apodemus microps) is analysed in conditions of intensively exploited agricultural landscape of the Eas tern Slovakian Lowlands. During stationary research (1988-1991), 679 i ndividuals of A. microps were caught. In the total catch a statistical ly significant predominance of males (61.0%) was noticed which was mor e significant in the breeding season. On the whole, 71 pregnant female s of A. microps were evaluated, the average litter size was 6.42 embry os. The whole breeding season lasted 181 days, the average birth-rate was 27 young per mature female per season. A higher litter size in mul tiparous females and a direct correlation between female weight and av erage litter size was noticed.