A survey of the nationwide distribution of the Japanese dormouse Glirulus japonicus via Web-based search engines

Abstract

The Japanese dormouse (Glirulus japonicus) inhabits Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and Dogo Island of the Oki Islands, but studies on its distribution in the whole of Japan are few. In this study, we looked for evidence of the presence of the dormouse throughout Japan by using several Web-based search engines, and then made a nationwide distribution map of Japanese dormice. Web content about dormouse observations tended to increase year by year, with most information collected from Chubu, followed by Kanto and Tohoku. On the other hand, little information was obtained from Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu and Kinki. The difference in abundance of dormouse Web content across districts seemed to relate to the proportion of high elevation area (over 1,000 m) in each district rather than that of forest area. Although Web content on observed dormice was obtained all the year round, in summer more information on dormice was seen whereas in winter less information was seen. We conclude that Web-based searches for dormouse observations may be an effective means of quantifying its distribution.