Suivi par radiopistage du Desman des Pyrénées Galemys pyrenaicus (É. Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, 1811) sur deux cours d’eau d’Ariège : rythme d’activité, utilisation de l’espace et influence des variations de débit

The lack of knowledge regarding the behaviour of the Pyrenean Desman Galemys pyrenaicus (É. Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, 1811) linked to hydraulic variations encouraged us to carry out three radiotracking studies on two rivers in Ariège, France. Six Desmans were monitored in October 2014 and May 2015 on the Aston River and in September 2018 on the Vicdessos River, in two contexts of hydraulic variations, linked to dam functioning or to repair work. One Desman was monitored twice, in October 2014 and May 2015. The monitoring showed that the species is active night and day, that its movements are more significant at night and also showed the social character of the Desmans. Indeed, some of them shared all or part of their home range and some of their nests, to which they are very loyal. The Desmans reacted to the hydraulic variations in different ways, such as changing their resting dens, translating their home-range or adjusting their activity patterns. These studies and new knowledge confirm the need to take into account the species and the need to work in tandem with all water stakeholders.