Hystrix It.It. J.J. MammMamm.. 19(2)19(2) 2008:2008: 3-2183-101 SMALL TERRESTRIAL MAMMALS OF ALBANIA: ANNOTATED LIST AND DISTRIBUTION 1* 2 FERDINAND BEGO , BORIS KRYŠTUFEK , 3 4 GLIGOR PASPALI , ELTON ROGOZI 1Museum of Natural Sciences, Tirana University, Rruga e Kavajes No. 132, Tirana, Albania *Corresponding author, e-mail: [email protected] 2University of Primorska, Science and Research Centre, Garibaldijeva 1, SI-6000 Koper, Slo- venia; e-mail: [email protected] 3Department of Biology, University “Eqerem Çabej”, Lagjia 18 Shtatori, Gjirokastra, Albania; e-mail: [email protected] 4Institute of Public Health, Rruga Aleksandër Moisiu No. 80, Tirana, Albania; e-mail: [email protected] Received 30 August 2008; accepted 12 November 2008 ABSTRACT - We report a synopsis of the small mammals of Albania (Erinaceomorpha, Sori- comorpha, Rodentia), outlining both new records and previously published data. Twenty-four species (one hedgehog, six soricomorhps and 17 rodents) have been collected in 161 localities surveyed throughout the country. Nine species (Neomys anomalus, Crocidura leucodon, Talpa stankovici, Dryomys nitedula, Muscardinus avellanarius, Micromys minutus, Mus macedoni- cus, Myodes glareolus and Microtus thomasi) are recorded for Albania for the first time. The present list is far from being complete and the probable presence of a further 11 species has to be confirmed. Key words: Soricomorpha, Erinaceomorpha, Rodentia, Balkans, Albania RIASSUNTO - I micromammiferi dell’Albania: status e distribuzione. Viene presentato un quadro della distribuzione dei micromammiferi in Albania, evidenziando le specie di recente scoperta così come alcuni dati già pubblicati. L’esame di 161 località distribuite sull’intero territorio nazionale ha permesso di raccogliere informazioni sulla presenza di 24 specie di mi- cromammiferi (1 Erinaceomorpha, 6 Soricomorpha e 17 Rodentia). Nove specie (Neomys a- nomalus, Crocidura leucodon, Talpa stankovici, Dryomys nitedula, Muscardinus avellanarius, Micromys minutus, Mus macedonicus, Myodes glareolus e Microtus thomasi) vengono segna- late per la prima volta. L’elenco qui presentato non può essere considerato definitivo. Ulteriori ricerche potrebbero accertare la presenza di altre 11 specie. Parole chiave: Soricomorpha, Erinaceomorpha, Rodentia, Balcani, Albania INTRODUCTION centre of biodiversity and, therefore, an area of high conservation value The Balkans, a “miniscule universe” (Kryštufek and Reed, 2004). The signi- where “the natural landscape has the ficance of the peninsula as a European aspect of a lunar purgatory” (Stillman, hotspot has been emphasized on the 1966), is the most splendid European basis of a number of plant and animal 83 Bego et al. groups (Gaston and David, 1994). For 1997-2007), sampling 161 localities mammals, the high species diversity spread over the entire territory of Alba- and endemism is attested for the moun- nia (Fig. 1). Snap trapping and the tainous regions of the southern Dina- analysis of Tyto alba pellets , as the rides and the Shara-Pindhos Mountains, two main field sampling techniques, which encompass the whole of Albania were supplemented by direct and indi- (Kryštufek and Griffiths, 2002; Kryštu- rect (footprints, feeding signs, faeces, fek, 2004). The Balkan region has also burrows, carrions, etc.) observations . been a point of intersection and conflict Voucher specimens have been depo- between a number of very different sited at the Museum of Natural cultures, ideologies and religions Sciences, Tirana University. We also (Kryštufek and Reeds, 2004). Thus the considered materials deposited in the development of natural sciences has Naturhistorisches Museum of Wien been retarded in the entire region in (NMW). Taxonomy and nomenclature general and in Albania in particular. follow Wilson and Reeder (2005). Key Although the first records of small ter- references were: Petrov (1992) for for- restrial mammals, which are the subject mer Yugoslavia, Kryštufek and Vo- of this paper, date back to Miller hralík (1992) for Montenegro, (1912), subsequent studies were pub- Kryštufek and Petkovski (2003) for lished only after 1945 and were largely Macedonia and Ondrias (1966), Nie- based on very limited samples (Puza- thammer (1986), Vohralík and Sofiani- nov et al., 1955; Koçi, 1961; Rosický dou (1987) and Sofianidou and Vo- and Gjini, 1960; Bajrami and Serezi, hralík (1991) for Greece. 1981; Vangjeli, 1987a; AndƟra, 1991; Kryštufek, 1994; Prigioni, 1996; Ma- STUDY AREA cholán and Vohralík, 1997; Macholán et al., 2003). More comprehensive stu- Albania is located on the eastern coasts of the Adriatic and Ionian seas. In spite of its dies, having been published in the Al- 2 banian language (Bego, 1997, 2001, small surface area (28,748 km ), the coun- 2003), went largely unnoticed by try is topographically highly diverse. The Albanian mountains (the highest peak is mammalogists outside the country. Mt. Korab, 2753 m a.s.l.), which are physi- Consequently, by the end of the 20th ographically part of The Alpine Mountains, century, the mammal fauna of Albania rise very steeply from the coastal strip and was the least known in Europe (Prigio- cover 70% of the country. As a conse- ni, 1996; Mitchell-Jones et al., 1999). quence of Alpine orogenesis, these moun- The aim of this paper is to summarize tains are characterized by complex folding the current distributional status of small and faulting although outcrops of more terrestrial mammals belonging to the ancient, volcanic and metamorphic, rocks orders Erinaceomorpha, Soricomorpha are common throughout. The northern and Rodentia in Albania. mountains in particular are singled out by the dominance of carbonate rocks. Thick layers of Late Tertiary or Quaternary sedi- METHODS ment cover the 20-30 km wide strip of the coastal lowlands. This paper is largely based on data ga- Although Albania falls within the tempe- thered between 1992 and 2008 (mostly rate zone, topographic diversity and the 84 Small mammals of Albania. combination of Mediterranean and conti- 2002; April 2006); Cangonj (950 m, Au- nental influences ensure great climatic and gust 1996; May 2002; April 2006). vegetation diversity (Reed et al., 2004).The coastal region enjoys a Mediterranean cli- Records are spread over the whole of mate with dry, hot summers and mild, wet Albania (Fig. 2), from sea level to the winters. Further east the mountains act as a upper forest line (1500 m). Whilst barrier to the penetration of warm air elsewhere in Europe the hedgehog pre- masses. The climate of the mountainous fers lowlands and hills between 300 regions is Alpine, with strong shifts in pre- cipitation and temperature depending on and 800 m a.s.l. (Mitchell-Jones et al., height and exposure. Differences in tem- 1999), more than half of our records (= perature between the coast and inland re- 53%, n = 19) were above 1000 m a.s.l.. gions are by far most marked in winter, As a result of the expanding transport whilst those in precipitation are stronger in network, the number of road casualties summer Predominant vegetation along the for this species is increasing. Earlier coast is evergreen maquis, which is re- papers refer to this species as Erinaceus placed by oak woodland further inland and europaeus (Puzanov and Mitrushi, 1955; finally by beech forests and grasslands at Koçi, 1961) or E. concolor (Bego, higher altitudes. Forests, which are fre- 1997). quently degraded, cover c. 40% of the whole surface, while meadows/pastures and arable land cover, respectively, 15% Neomys anomalus Cabrera, 1907 and 26% of Albania. Mean human density is 115 inhabitants per km2, but the moun- Gjirokastër: Libohovë (230 m) and Laza- tainous regions are scarcely populated. rat (350 m); 6 specimens from pellets dur- ing 2006-2007. ANNOTATED LIST OF SPECIES The Mediterranean water shrew is re- ported for Albania for the first time. Erinaceus roumanicus Barrett-Hamilton, 1900 Both localities are situated along the Drinos valley in the southern part of the Shkodër: Velipojë (sea level, June 1992); country (Fig. 3). In the Balkans this Thethi (1350 m, June 2001). Lezhë: Shengjin (repeated observations). Durrës: species is more widespread than N. fo- Rrotull (200 m); Manëz (150 m); Kullë diens (e.g. Petrov, 1992), consequently (100 m, July-August 1992). Tiranë: Mt. its distribution in Albania is probably Dajti (1100 m); Vore (200 m, repeated ob- underestimated. servations). Lushnjë: Divjaka Pine Forest (sea level, repeated observations). Vlorë: Crocidura leucodon (Hermann, 1780) Nartë (sea level, September 1999), Karabu- run-Llogora (10-1200 m, September 1999). Durrës: Rrotull (150 m, August 1992, Sarandë: Butrint (0-150 m, May 1998). 1Ƃ). Tiranë: Mt. Dajti (1100 m, 1994, 1 Delvinë: Syri i kaltër (250 m, May 1998). ƃ). Lushnjë: Karavasta, Shën Thanasi Librazhd: Dardhë (1250 m); Stravaj (1500 Monastery (sea level); Xeng, Shën Kolli m); Rajcë (1350 m); Qarrishtë (1450 m, Monastery (5m, between 2001 and 2008, c. August 1994). Pogradec: Velçan (1050 m, 507 specimens from pellets); Bishqethem, September 1994). Dibër: Selishtë (1300 Shën Mari Monastery (0-5 m, January and m); Korab (1400 m, June 1999). Korçe: April 2008, 60 specimens from pellets). Prespa e Madhe, Gollomboç (850 m, April Fier: Kolli Monastery (0-20 m, January 1995); Dardhë (1450 m, August 1996; May and April 2008, 2 specimens from pellets). 85 Bego et al. 86 Small mammals of Albania. Figure 1 - Localities sampled in Albania for small terrestrial mammals. 1 – Vermosh. 2 – Tamarë. 3 – Bogë. 4 – Thethi. 5 – Çerem. 6 – Tropojë. 7 – Qafë-Morinë. 8 – Chest- nut forest of B. Curri. 9 – Gërçar i Poshtëm. 10 – Balçaj. 11 – Shkodër-qytet. 12 – Mehaj. 13 – Krye- zi. 14 – Tobël. 15 – Sefoll. 16 – Myç. 17 – Nangë. 18 – Bicaj. 19 – Kolesian. 20 – Velipojë. 21 – Lurë. 22 – Kastriot. 23 – Llasen. 24 – Ravnë. 25 – Pilaf. 26 – Brezhdan. 27 – Korab. 28 – Grevë. 29 – Selishtë. 30 – Shëngjin. 31 – Kune. 32 – Gjoshë. 33 – Fan (Rrëshen). 34 – Tarazh. 35 – Ulzë. 36 – Bushkash. 37 – German. 38 – Komsi. 39 – Fushë-Kuqe. 40 – Draç-Rodon. 41 – Rrotull. 42 – Nojë. 43 – Cudh-Zalli. 44 – Manëz. 45 – Kullë. 46 – Rrushkull. 47 – Vorë. 48 – Mt. Dajti. 49 – Feken.