Preliminary observation on the nesting pattern of wild rodents' in the "Macchia della Manziana" (Rome, Italy)

In a non deciduous oak wood near Rome, earth heaps formed over fallen trees and mainly covered by moss and blackberry shrubs are common. These heaps shelter many rodents’ nests. The dominant species captured in the area were the yellow‐necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus). A manifest copresence of the two species in the area and particularly in the heaps was observed. The choise of a heap by one species and/or the other does not seem to be influenced by the overhanging vegetation, as indicated by the traps placed on the heaps.