OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SMALL MAMMALS ON THE GOODNEWS RIVER, SOUTHWESTERN ALASKA

Abstract

A paucity of data exists on the occurrence, distribution, and abundance of small mammal communities in southwestern Alaska. To add to the understanding of these communities we conducted a comprehensive small mammal survey in southwestern Alaska. We trapped small mammals along the Goodnews River in Togiak National Wildlife Refuge from 26 June to 5 September 1996. Objectives of our study were to determine what small mammal species occur in the Goodnews River area, to determine species distribution in 4 representative habitats during 3 time periods, and to determine ideal time periods to trap small mammals in order to maximize the diversity of species encountered and the number of specimens captured. In 3600 trap-nights we captured 468 specimens including masked shrew (Sorex cinereus), pygmy shrew (S. hoyi), Alaska tiny shrew (S. yukonicus), tundra shrew (S. tundrensis), tundra vole (Microtus oeconomus), red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilus), Greenland collared lemming (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus), and brown lemming (Lemmus trimucronatus). The pygmy shrew, Alaska tiny shrew, Greenland collared lemming, and brown lemming are the 1st representatives of these species from the region to be placed in a museum collection. The willow habitat supported the greatest number of specimens captured (n = 170), while the wet tundra habitat yielded the greatest number of species captured (n = 4). The fall trap period (26 August to 5 September) yielded the greatest number of specimens captured (n = 229), while the spring (26 June to 6 July) and summer trap periods (26 July to 5 August) yielded greatest species diversity. Findings of rare and uncommon species illustrate the need to conduct additional surveys in the region.