Co-occurrence of small mammals in a tropical dry deciduous forest: comparisons of communities and individual species in Colima, Mexico

Abstract

Abstract:Species co-occurrence is an important ecological research area. Mark-and-recapture studies of mammals allow identification of coexisting species, a necessary step in determining mechanisms enabling habitat sharing. Using data from five 1-ha grids in January 2004 in tropical dry deciduous forest of coastal Colima, Mexico, we detected significantly more interspecific overlap than expected between seven species pairs. Oryzomys couesi shared more stations than expected with Sigmodon mascotensis, Baiomys musculus and Peromyscus perfulvus. Baiomys musculus was associated positively with S. mascotensis and Reithrodontomys fulvescens. Heteromys pictus shared fewer stations than expected with O. couesi and S. mascotensis. For species collectively, there was non-random community structuring, with two grids displaying more species aggregation than expected. While two grids had non-random co-occurrence patterns, three grids did not differ from random, which differs from that reported for mammalian taxa on average. Other small-mammal studies have documented species segregation, while this study detected more positive than negative associations. Similarities in preference and habitat use (or diet) are likely explanations for interspecific overlap patterns at stations and co-occurrence patterns among grids. Simultaneously evaluating associations of species pairs and all species on a grid collectively is novel methodology as applied to mammals, adding to understanding of species co-occurrence.