Territorial behaviour of Talpa romana in two different habitats: Food resources and reproductive needs as potential causes of variation

Differences observed in the territorial behaviour of two populations of the Roman mole, Talpa romana, have been explored through quantitative and qualitative analyses of food resources available in the soil. Samples of soil were collected and analysed to detect the composition and the biomass of the soil fauna. Data are related to spatial and temporal differences observed in the home ranges of the two populations. Results indicate a general inverse relationship between the availability of food and the size of territories, which is particularly evident for females. Differences in the pattern of food dispersion in the two areas are associated with the spatial distribution of female moles, which in turn relates to the territorial behaviour of males during the reproductive season.