The remains of mammals in pellets and their importance

SUMMARY In this study, owl pellets and their remains which contain bones and skulls of some mammals are analysed and the mammals of Diyarbakır region are investigated. Owl pellets were collected from Dicle University Sedat Arıtürk Korusu and Dicle University Piknik Arazisi. 307 specimens of mammals were found in the pellets. These are: Microtus guentheri (221), Microtus arvalis (6), Mas musculus (60), Crocidiwa suaveolens (14), Meriones tristrami (4), Rattus rattus (1), Cricetus cricetus (1). The measurements of skulls were recorded. All measurements have been given in the tables. All skulls are deposited at Dicle University Science Faculty Biology Department. Some characters of skulls have been also shown on the figures. Anatomical characters and measurements of the skulls were compared with the other previously published accounts. The results are show that Microtus guemheri and Mas musculus are dominant in the area. Microtus arvalis, Cricetus cricetus, Crocidura suaveolens, Rattus rattus and Meriones tristrami was rarely found in the pellets. So these species are also living in this area.