Premières données sur l'écologie des populations naturelles de souris, Mus spretus Lataste et Mus musculus domesticus Rutty dans le midi de la France

Two species of mice Mus spretus and Mus musculus domesticus, live in Southern France. The identification criteria are discussed, together with the geographical distribution and ecological requirements of the two species. Because of its high water requirements Mus musculus domesticus cannot live permanently in arid habitats, such as the « garrigues », a more or less open community of small shrubs of Quercus coccifera. On the contrary, the absence of Mus spretus from more humid habitats cannot be attributed to by any environmental factor in particular. Preliminary laboratory experiments and observations in open-air enclosures suggest that the very presence of Mus musculus domesticus in its optimal habitat can inhibit the reproduction of Mus spretus