Activity patterns of the Pine marten (Martes martes) in a Mediterranean woodland: evaluation of preliminary data.

Two pine martens Martes martes, a male and a female, were radio-tracked (six and eleven months respectively) in a forest area near Siena, Central Italy. Martens were captured using box traps baited with eggs and mice, marked by Passive Integrated Transponders (PITs) and fitted with a VHF radio-collar (Televilt, 60 g.). Individuals were monitored daily and fixes were collected to provide data for a 24 hour period within each week. During the radio-tracking sessions environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, pressure, precipitation and moon phase) were also collected. The activity pattern was correlated with the environmental factors by Logistic Regression procedure. Nocturnal, diurnal and crepuscular activities were measured as the proportion of active fixes for each phases. Activity differed between seasons and was mainly influenced by the environmental temperature. Martens usually perform nocturnal activity. However, our data showed also a not negligible activity carried out during the day. Diurnal and nocturnal patterns of activity were compared.