Nouvelle méthode d’étude en nature des relations spatiales et sociales chez Crocidura russula (Mammalia, Soricidae)

Abstract

A method of simultaneous radioactive tracking of 2 shrews is described. The instruments were 2 portable Geiger-Mueller counters and a set-up of 20 probes with automatic recording. The shrews are marked with radioactive 128Ta of 100 .mu.Ci and 600 .mu.Ci. Prior to the simultaneous recording, the home range and nest sites of each individual are determined in a 24 h test for scaling the response of the instruments. The technique has been applied to a wild population of C. russula. The relationships between the individuals during activity and rest (e.g. common occupation of a nest) were studied.