Distribution, habitais and abundance of the herb field mouse (Apodemus uralensis) in Lithuania

Lithuania is situated in the north-western corner of the large distributional range of the herb field mouse, Apodemus uralensis. Apodemus uralensisis distributed mainly in the north-western part of Lithuania, where the majority of specimens were captured in the ecotones of mixed forests and open habitats (natural meadows, cornfields and fallow fields) and in open habitats bordering forests or situated ciose to them. Apodemus uralensisis rare in Lithuania: the average relative abundance was only 2.2 ind. per 100 trap-days and it accounted for up to 8.5% of all small mammals trapped. Avoidance of forest habitats and preference of ecotonic habitats, as well as the comparatively low abundance, are the main peculiarities of A. uralensisin the north-western corner of the range.