© Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2010 DOI: 10.1163/157075610X496306 Animal Biology 60 (2010) 209–227 brill.nl/ab Spatial and temporal ecology of the Lusitanian pine vole (Microtus lusitanicus) in a Mediterranean polyculture Sara M. Santos 1, *, Rui F. Lourenço 2 , Maria da Luz Mathias 1 , António P. Mira 2 1 Centre of Environmental Biology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal 2 Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural Sciences and Conservation Biology Unit, University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal Abstract In this study we report the first data on the spatial ecology of the Lusitanian pine vole ( Microtus lusitani- cus). Data report to the breeding season and to a traditional Mediterranean agricultural landscape in Central Portugal, using radio-telemetry methods. We documented large home range areas with values of 1042 m 2 for males and 862 m 2 for females (MCP method; 95% kernel method with values of 229 m 2 and 159 m 2 for males and females, respectively). Although no significant differences between sexes or repro- ductive status were found, longer daily movements were observed in reproductively inactive males. Pair bonding and home range overlap was observed between males and females, as well as between females and sub-adults. Voles showed no distinct preference for day or night for activity periods and movements. However, this result was dependent on sex, reproductive status and time of day. Voles revealed habitat preference for both spatial scales of analysis: they selected verges, vines and olives, within the study area, and used more verges within their home ranges, when compared to the other habitat types. he use of space by Microtus lusitanicus, in comparison with other microtines, suggests the occurrence of spatial associations between males and females in monogamous pairs. he importance of verges and linear habi- tats within an agricultural context is apparent, once they provide food and shelter from predators and human interventions. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2010. Keywords Activity pattern; habitat; home range; Microtus lusitanicus; radio-tracking; social behaviour Introduction he Mediterranean Peninsulas have favoured the formation of a large number of endemic species of small mammals (Bilton et al., 1998). his has contributed to the importance of the Mediterranean Basin as a biodiversity hotspot (Blondel and Aronson, * ) Corresponding author; e-mail: saramlsantos@yahoo.com