Zur Altersstruktur des Braunbrustigels Erinaceus europaeus L., 1758 (Mammalia: Insectivora) im Landkreis Saalfeld-Rudolstadt (Thüringen)

Abstract

Heddergott, M.: Age structure of the hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus L., 1758, in the district Saalfeld- Rudolstadt (Thuringia). – Hercynia N.F. 38 (2005): 113 – 118.To examine the age structure of hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus in Thuringia (district Saalfeld-Rudolstadt) I analysed 81 skulls. Age determination was done on the base of the tooth wear pattern, following the method of Skoudlin (1976). Additionally I counted annual layers in the cementum of M1 according to Stiefel et Piechocki (1986). The oldest hedgehog was found of the age of 8 years (1 female: 1,2 %). The age classes were as follows: 43.2 % 8–17 month, 27.2 % 2 years, 12.3 % 3 years, 9.9 % 4 years, 2.5 % 5 and 6 years and 1.2 % 7 years.