Mediterranean v. continental small mammal communities and the environmental degradation of the Dinaric Alps

In order to test for the existence of distinct, regionally-based small mamm al faunas, distributional patterns were examined in thirty one species of s mall mammals (insectivores and rodents) inhabiting the Dinaric Alps (wester n Balkans). The small mammal fauna was found to consist of three groups: a group of 'generalist' species that occurred throughout the study area, plus distinct coastal and continental small mammal assemblages. The continental small mammal assemblage is considerably more species-rich, whilst that of the coastal zone is largely restricted to generalists and species with geop hilic or fossorial lifestyles (many of which are also commensal with humans ). The two assemblages appear to be associated with different vegetation ty pes, and the transition between them lies on the coastal slopes of the Dina ric Alps at c. 700-900m of altitude. We discuss possible determinants of as semblage composition and species richness, and particularly the possible ro le of prehistoric environmental degradation in the context of the reduced s pecies-richness of the coastal zone.