Abstract
We captured least shrews (Cryptotis parva; n = 16) in native grassland, anthropogenic and woody habitats in north-central Kansas. Total effort was ca. 100,000 trap nights [TN] in >200 herbaceous sites and ca. 20,000 TN in >20 shrubby and woody sites. Least shrews were rare in both habitat types but slightly more abundant in herbaceous (ca. 0.15 individuals/1,000 TN) than woody sites (ca. 0.05 individuals/1,000 TN). We captured 15 least shrews in grazed native mixed grass prairie, post-harvest wheat fields and fallow wheat fields combined as well as one in a shelterbelt of deciduous trees. Body mass ranged from 2.6 g–6.0 g; body length explained ∼55% of the variation in body mass. Two pregnant females (4.9–5.0 g) were trapped; a litter size of five was observed for the one necropsied female. Finally, we document the first occurrence of the least shrew in Lincoln County, Kansas.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
