Abundance Of Mammals Research Articles

Community Structure of Terrestrial Vertebrates in a Restored Meadow Habitat in Pennsylvania: Assessing the Potential Prey Base for Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes

We sampled the vertebrate community of a 20-ha conservation easement in Venango County, PA, from April through August 2021. The restoration and management efforts on this easement were designed to improve the meadow habitat for one of the few remaining populations of Sistrurus catenatus (Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake) in Pennsylvania, and our sampling efforts were focused on evaluating the potential prey base available to the rattlesnakes at this site. We identified 9 amphibian species, 10 reptile species, and 11 small mammal species. For amphibians, Anaxyrus americanus (American Toad) was the most abundant species, accounting for 32.6% of the total, followed by Notophthalmus viridescens (Red-Spotted Newt) with 30.6% of total abundance. Thamnophis brachystoma (Short-Headed Gartersnake) comprised more than half (53.7%) of all reptiles sampled, followed by Thamnophis sirtalis (Eastern Gartersnake; 22.7%). Peromyscus leucopus (White-Footed Mouse) was the most abundant mammal species, accounting for 37.4% of all mammals surveyed, followed by Microtus pennsylvanicus (Eastern Meadow Vole; 24.8%). Mammals had the greatest species richness (S = 11), while reptiles had the greatest total abundance (TA = 361), and amphibians had the greatest species evenness (E = 0.799). Species accounts for Venango County indicate that we sampled 40.9% (9/22), 37.0% (10/27), and 21.2% (11/52) of the known amphibian, reptilian, and mammalian species, respectively, within this restored meadow habitat. Our results suggest that the restoration efforts on this easement study site have been extremely effective in creating meadow habitat that supports a diversity of prey species for the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake.

Species composition, relative abundance and habitat association of non-volant small mammals in Menz Guassa Community Conservation Area, central Ethiopia

Small mammals are a diverse group of animals and studying such group is vital. This study documents species composition, relative abundance and habitat association of non-volant small mammals in Menz Guassa Community Conservation Area, central Ethiopia. Data were collected using capture mark-release technique in different habitats of the study area from October 2019 to August 2020 and analysed by descriptive statistics and Shannon-Wiener diversity index. A total of 724 individuals of rodents and insectivores were sampled over 1176 trap nights. Of these 418 individuals were newly captured while the remaining 306 were recaptured with an overall trap success of 35.5 %. Five species of rodents namely Lophuromys flavopunctatus, Stenocephalemys griseicauda, Otomys typu s, Arvicanthis blicki and Dendromus lovati , and two species of insectivores, Crocidura baileyi and C. thalia were sampled. The most abundant species identified in the study was L. flavopunctatus followed by S. griseicauda , while the least was D. lovati with relative abundances of 66.7 %, 14.8 % and 0.2 %, respectively. The rodent and insectivore species were statistically significantly associated with their habitats (χ 2 = 10.44, df = 3, p < 0.05) with high association recorded in Euryops habitat 128 (30.6 %). High diversity of small mammals was recorded in Erica-Festuca dominated habitat (H’ = 1.176) followed by Festuca-Euryops habitat (H’= 1.114) and the least was recorded in Festuca habitats (H’= 0.977). Small mammals showed variation in abundance across habitats between seasons but the difference was not statistically significant (F (1, 6) = 0.017, p > 0.05). Most of the rodents and insectivores were sampled during the night. Stenocephalemys griseicauda , D. lovati and C. baileyi were exclusively nocturnal while O. typus and L. flavopunctatus were predominantly diurnal in activity. There was relatively higher small mammal diversity in Menz Guassa Community Conservation Area. Further molecular study needs to be conducted to identify more non-volant small mammals in the area, more especially cryptic species.

Relative abundance and activity patterns of mesomammals in central Andes

The natural history and ecology of mammals in the High Andes and Andean cloud forests are poorly known. This work aims to analyze the relative abundance and activity patterns of medium and large-sized mammals in the Andean portions of the Greater Madidi-Tambopata landscape using the camera trap methodology. Between 2012 to 2017, twelve sites were sampled covering an altitudinal gradient from 1,057 to 4,902 masl. A total of 311 digital camera trap stations were installed, and we applied a total effort of 5,144 trap nights (TN). We recorded a total of 21,346 photographs and 1,152 independent events from which we identified 28 species of mammals. The species with the highest relative abundance were Lycalopex culpaeus from 1 to 19.89/100TN, Didelphis pernigra from 0.1 to 10.71/100TN, and Eira barbara from 0.2 to 10.48/100TN. An analysis of activity patterns of the species that presented more than 10 independent events was carried out. The species with clearly nocturnal habits were Conepatus chinga, Cuniculus paca, Cuniculus taczanowskii, Didelphis pernigra, Mazama chunyi, Mazama americana, Dasypus novemcinctus, Didelphis marsupialis, Lagidium viscacia, Lycalopex culpaeus and Leopardus tigrinus, while Dasyprocta variegata, Nasua sp., Eira barbara, Hippocamelus antisensis and Tremarctos ornatus were diurnal; Puma concolor and Neogale mustela were cathemeral. The information obtained in our study responds to information gaps of a poorly studied mammal community and highlights the importance of Andean habitats for the conservation and management of montane species.

Importance of Host Abundance and Microhabitat in Tick Abundance.

To reduce the risk of zoonoses, it is necessary to understand the infection process, including the ecology of animals and vectors (i.e., the 'One Health' approach). In temperate climates, ticks are the major vectors of zoonoses, so factors determining their abundance, such as host mammal abundance and microhabitat conditions, should be clarified. Sika deer (Cervus nippon) are a major tick host and are rapidly expanding their distribution in Japan. We established 12 plots along a gradient of sika deer abundance in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. We monitored the occurrence of mammal species with camera traps and sampled questing ticks on a monthly basis by flagging along three transects (center of a trail, forest edge, and forest interior) at each site from April to November 2018. The camera traps recorded 12 mammal species, predominantly sika deer. Five Haemaphysalis species and three Ixodes species were sampled. The numbers of ticks sampled were explained by the photographic frequency of sika deer, and partly by that of other mammal species, depending on tick species and their developmental stages. The numbers of sampled adult and nymphal ticks were the highest at the forest edge, where vegetation cover was greatest. Thus, vegetation management in tick habitats and the control of sika deer populations may reduce tick abundance.

Medium and large-sized mammals in a remnant forest in the state of Rondônia, Brazil

The Brazilian mammalian fauna is threatened by several factors, the main ones being anthropogenic origins, such as agriculture, cattle ranching, and hunting. Medium and large mammals are continually affected by these factors. In this context, we conducted an inventory and estimated the abundance of medium and large mammals in a particular peri-urban remnant forest in the city of Porto, Rondônia. Fieldwork was carried out involving 88 kilometers of census during the daytime, indirect signs research, and interviews. We recorded 21 species of mammals. Private forest reserves have the potential to conserve endangered species, and therefore, actions that favor the connection of these areas in the rural environment should be prioritized

Diversity, abundance, occurrence, and conservation status of mammals on the islands of Azagny National southern Côte d’Ivoire

Diversity, abundance, occurrence, and conservation status of mammals on the islands of Azagny National southern Côte d’Ivoire

Engineering by cape ground squirrels affects biodiversity in semi-arid grasslands

Burrowing mammals that disproportionately affect their physical environment, creating habitat and providing resources for other organisms, are considered ecosystem engineers. Such modifications are particularly important in dry grassland environments, where low precipitation and soil nutrients limit plant growth. We tested 5 hypotheses about the impact of Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris) on plants and animals in a semi-arid grassland of South Africa. At each burrow cluster and paired control site without burrows, we estimated plant cover, height, and richness using quadrats, and invertebrate and small mammal abundance and richness using pit-fall traps and mark-recapture, respectively. We determined nitrogen concentrations in grasses on and off burrows and measured carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in plants and squirrel hair to determine squirrel diet. Burrows had greater plant cover and richness, particularly more shrubby vegetation, but plant height and nitrogen concentrations did not differ on and off burrows. Invertebrate and small mammal abundance and richness were greater on burrows. Squirrel disturbances in semi-arid grassland improved conditions for disturbance-dependent shrubs, which were rarely consumed by squirrels but are valuable forage for antelope and provide cover for invertebrates and small mammals. By altering habitat for plants reliant on disturbance, Cape ground squirrels enhance grassland biodiversity.

Something went missing: cessation of Traditional Owner land management and rapid mammalian population collapses in the semi-arid region of the Murray&amp;#x2013;Darling Basin, southeastern Australia

The nineteenth century mass mammal extinctions in the semi-arid zone of the Murray&amp;#x2012;Darling basin, southeastern Australia, are examined in the context of prior traditional land management. A model of grassland dynamics reveals a multi-trophic level productive pulse one to five years post-fire, followed by senescence and increasing flammability. Traditional Owner patch burning of grassland optimized human and mammalian food (including tubers, seeds and fungi) and decreased fire risk. Over at least 40 000 years, the persistence and abundance of fauna responded to this energetically closed self-reinforcing management. In 1830, depopulation (disease, massacres and displacement) effectively ended traditional management, an ecologically traumatic event that extinguished these productivity pulses. Associated mammal populations of c. 20 species collapsed, and all eco-engineering and mycophagous species, such as bilbies, bettongs and bandicoots, rapidly disappeared. Traditional land management increased productivity, habitat heterogeneity and reduced wildfire risk, underpinning mammal abundance. This has remained unrecognized by most mammalogists and land managers. Blaming extinctions predominantly on the additions by Europeans (introduction of ungulates, feral grazers and predators etc.), disastrous as they were, fails to acknowledge the initial cause of rarity, i.e. loss of productivity, habitat and niches when traditional management was subtracted from country. As ecosystems continue to degrade, understanding the primary cause is fundamental to improved management. Although too late for extinct species, respect for, and inclusion of, traditional land management knowledge provides a direction for future land management.

The abundance of small mammals is positively linked to survival from nest depredation but negatively linked to local recruitment of a ground nesting precocial bird.

Generalist predators using small mammals as their primary prey are suggested to shift hunting alternative prey such as bird nests, when small mammals are in short supply (the alternative prey hypothesis, APH). Nest survival and survival of young individuals should be positively linked to small mammal abundance and negatively linked to predator abundance, but little information exists from survival of chicks, especially until recruitment. We test these predictions of the APH using 13 years (2002–2014) of life history data from a ground nesting shorebird breeding on coastal meadows. We use small mammal abundance in the previous autumn as a proxy for spring predator abundance, mainly of mammalian predators. We examine whether small mammal abundance in the spring and previous autumn explain annual variation in nest survival from depredation and local recruitment of the southern dunlin Calidris alpina schinzii. As predicted by the APH, survival from nest predation was positively linked to spring small mammal abundance and negatively linked to autumn small mammal abundance. Importantly, local recruitment showed opposite responses. This counterintuitive result may be explained by density‐dependent survival. When nest depredation rates are low, predators may show stronger numerical and functional responses to high shorebird chick abundance on coastal meadows, whereas in years of high nest depredation, few hatching chicks lure fewer predators. The opposite effects on nest and local recruitment demonstrate the diverse mechanisms by which population size variation in primary prey can affect dynamics of alternative prey populations.

A preliminary study on relative abundance of wild mammals based on camera trap in Balaram-Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat State, India

A preliminary study on relative abundance of wild mammals based on camera trap in Balaram-Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat State, India

Location matters: survival of artificial nests is higher in small grassland patches and near the patch edge

Nest survival is an important part of breeding success in grassland ecosystems, and the location of nests can determine vulnerability to different predators. We conducted an experiment with artificial nests to evaluate jointly the predation rate on nests at different spatial scales (landscape, patch and tussock) and the relative abundance of potential nest predators (small mammals and birds) in a temperate grassland area. In November 2014 and 2016, we installed 288 artificial nests in Common Pampas Grass Cortaderia selloana grasslands in the southeastern Pampas region, Argentina. The nests were placed in two 10‐ha plots in a continuous grassland patch (c. 900 ha) within a reserve and in two small grassland patches (1.5 and 1.8 ha) in an agricultural matrix (landscape‐scale), at the patch edge and inside the patches (patch‐scale), and at two heights within the tussock grass (tussock‐scale). In 2016, we also conducted live trapping of small mammals and surveyed birds along strip transects at the sampling sites. Nests located in patches within an agricultural matrix and near the edge had greater relative survival than those set in the reserve and inside the patches, respectively. This might be explained by the lower relative abundance of small mammals that we found outside the reserve. Artificial nest survival values recorded at the landscape‐scale contrasted with those previously observed for natural nests. Our results could be partly explained by differences in nest density between agro‐patches and those within the reserve. Future studies could also evaluate the role of parental nest defence on nest survival.

Small mammals in a mountain ecosystem: the effect of topographic, micrometeorological, and biological correlates on their community structure

An increasing number of studies have investigated spatial and temporal patterns in species richness and assemblage composition in mountain ecosystems along altitudinal gradients. Small mammals have been successfully used as indicators of environmental health and as proxies of biodiversity. However, information about the composition and distribution of species assemblages in the mosaic of habitat and rocky landform types at a high altitude is still lacking for most of the mountain regions. Through the use of live traps and camera trapping, we described the small mammal community living above the treeline of the Western Dolomites (Italian Alps), investigating the species richness, abundance of individuals and community composition in relation to topographic, micrometeorological, mesohabitat, and biological correlates. A total of five species and 50 individuals were sampled, analysed, and released. At the extremes of the analysed altitudinal range (i.e. 1900 vs 2900 m a.s.l.), community composition was completely different and species richness was related to elevation, steepness, and vegetation cover. At the same time, the taxonomic distinctness of ground-dwelling arthropods (namely carabid beetles and spiders), a proxy of habitat complexity, showed higher values in areas with a greater small mammal species richness. We found a positive effect of steepness and rocky landform type “carsism” on the number of captured individuals, showing the importance of the availability of shelters and underground burrows for the sampled species. As a confirmation of the altitudinal shift for these species in relation to the ongoing climate change, we detected a negative impact of sub-surface ground temperature on small mammal abundance during the monitoring period. In conclusion, small mammals represent an excellent model for understanding the evolutionary processes of ecosystems, population dynamics under changing environmental conditions, and habitat vulnerabilities.

Island size predicts mammal diversity in insular environments, except for land‐bridge islands

AbstractInsular environments are among the most endangered ecosystems as they face a myriad of anthropogenic stressors. Forest mammals perform a wide range of ecological services, with their persistence being vital for ecosystem functionality in both natural and artificial islands. Studies revealed that shrinkage in island size usually leads to the decay of mammal species richness and abundance in patchy landscapes. However, mammal species‐area (SARs) and abundance‐area (AARs) relationships can differ among insular environments: oceanic, fluvial, artificial, and land‐bridge islands (i.e., natural islands connected to the mainland). Large dams create vast insularized landscapes after river impoundment, leading to pervasive habitat loss and potentially causing even worse biodiversity losses than other insular systems. We conducted an extensive literature search and used meta‐analysis techniques to quantify the magnitude of SAR and AAR for forest mammals across different archipelago landscapes worldwide. After a screening process, we ended up with 26 studies comprising 55 different effect sizes representing the magnitude of SARs and AARs. Our global analysis unveiled a positive relationship between effect sizes and island area, with mammal species richness and abundance increasing in fluvial, oceanic, and artificial islands accordingly with island area, but not in land‐bridge islands. These results demonstrate that, except for land‐bridge islands, SAR and AAR are still fair models to predict mammal diversity. These results could improve the prediction of SAR and AAR in insular environments under habitat loss scenarios and propose sound conservation strategies since the rate at which insular communities have been lost is presently unknown.

Effect of traditional livestock grazing on abundance of small mammals and activity of mountain vizcacha in the high central semi-arid Andes

Livestock grazing is common and widespread in the high Andean region; however, few studies have evaluated the effects of traditional camelid grazing (llamas and alpacas) on small and medium sized mammals. We studied small mammals in Sajama National Park in Bolivia. We evaluated the association between livestock abundance and 1) the abundance of small mammals, and 2) small mammal activity patterns. In a grid of 36 sampling stations, small mammals were divided into two study groups, according to their body size and the trophic group. We assessed small mammal abundances with grids of live capture traps and vizcacha with camera traps. We performed GLM and Basic Kernel Density estimation analyses for associations between livestock abundance and abundance of small mammals, and small mammal activity patterns, respectively. The presence of mountain vizcacha and rodents was less likely where livestock abundance was higher. Herbivores and granivores, but not omnivores, were also negatively affected by higher livestock abundance. The diurnal activity patterns of mountain vizcachas declined when livestock abundance was higher. We suggest some alternatives for livestock management plans to minimize the negative effects of traditional livestock on small mammals.

Population and Community Responses of Small Mammals to Single-tree Selection Harvest in Laurentian Hardwood Forests

Small mammals are ubiquitous members of vertebrate communities that are sensitive to habitat change. In the Great Lakes region of North America, small mammal communities have changed rapidly, but experimental tests of potential mechanisms are lacking. Using a before-after, control-treatment design, we quantified the response of small mammals to single-tree selection harvest in Laurentian hardwood forests of Wisconsin, United States. We documented changes in forest structure and small mammal abundance, species diversity, and community similarity from silvicultural treatment. Treatment reduced tree density and canopy cover and increased mean tree diameter, woody stem density, variation in woody stem density, and volume of coarse woody debris. Peromyscus and northern short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda) were dominant community members across treatments and years. White-footed mice (P. leucopus) outnumbered woodland deer mice (P. maniculatus gracilis) before treatment, but declined by almost fifty percent after treatment; deer mice and total rodent (i.e., Rodentia) abundances were unchanged. Small mammal species diversity increased twofold following treatment. Our experiment identified species-specific responses within Peromyscus to timber harvest: white-footed mice, the numerically dominant and generalist species, were most sensitive to habitat change, and their response produced cascading effects to small mammal community structure. Future experiments should assess these small mammal responses in a multi-year framework and quantify their effects on the broader vertebrate community.

Relative efficiency of two models of snap traps for sampling boreal small mammals

AbstractSnap traps have long been a cost‐effective means of monitoring small mammal (&lt;60 g) diversity and abundance, particularly at larger spatial or temporal scales. Yet, studies on the relative efficiency of snap trap models are surprisingly rare in the literature. We assessed the relative efficacy of Victor Mouse and Woodstream Museum Special snap traps for sampling boreal small mammals. Paired traps were set for 2–3 nights at 40–50 trapping stations at each of 110 sites, for a total sampling effort of 28,910 trap nights. We captured 1,013 small mammals representing 13 species. Overall, Museum Special traps caught almost twice as many small mammals as Victor traps. There was no difference in the sex or age‐class of the overall capture in the 2 trap models. However, Museum Special traps were triggered without capturing a small mammal 31% more often than Victor traps. Results for the six most frequently captured species (Myodes rutilus, Microtus pennsylvanicus, Microtus oeconomus, Microtus xanthognathus, Peromyscus maniculatus, and Sorex cinereus) mirrored those for overall captures. Moreover, the percent of the total capture in Museum Special traps ranged between 57–80% for each of the above species, indicating species‐specific responses to trap type. Our data further demonstrate the superior ability of Museum Special traps to capture boreal small mammals compared to Victor traps, which is likely attributed to a more sensitive trigging mechanism. Implications of our results suggest caution when mixing trap models in monitoring programs, or when interpreting results obtained with different trap models. We encourage similar comparisons in different biomes with different small mammal assemblages as trap performance is likely species specific.

Species richness, relative abundance and occupancy of ground-dwelling mammals denote the ineffectiveness of chimpanzee as flagship species

In conservation biology, flagship species are defined as species that can raise support for biodiversity conservation in a given place or social context. In the newly established Gishwati–Mukura National Park in Rwanda, the Eastern chimpanzee was considered such an ambassador. To test whether the flagship species concept was effective in the park, we studied species richness, relative abundance, and species distribution (occupancy) of medium- to large-sized, ground-dwelling mammals using camera trapping technology. The impact of three environmental and three anthropogenic variables on species distribution was investigated and the ecological diversity of the fauna in the national park assessed. Over a period of 9 months, two 4 × 4 camera trapping grids were deployed in Gishwati and Mukura Forest. Sampling effort in each forest equated to 32 and 29 camera trapping locations, yielding 258 and 242 independent photographic events of eight and six species, respectively. In both forests, the Emin's giant poached rat was the most frequently encountered species, while all other species showed high relative abundance only in Gishwati Forest. The relative abundance of the endangered Eastern chimpanzee in Gishwati Forest was 0.54, the estimated occupancy was 0.31. Single-species, single-season occupancy models revealed that forest cover, altitude and distance to forest edge influenced the detectability of L'Hoest's monkey and squirrel species, while no effect was found on their occupancy. Notably, no larger herbivore or carnivore species were observed in the park, while the flagship species, i.e., the Eastern chimpanzee, was relatively abundant. Moreover, in both forests, all detected carnivores were small- to medium-sized, suggesting a meso-predator release phenomenon, i.e., populations of medium-sized predators increased after the removal of larger, top carnivores, due to relaxed competition. It appears that the prioritization of the flagship species resulted in the neglect of other mammalian species, leading eventually into the demise of entire functional guilds. Based on these results, the Gishwati–Mukura NP was categorized as a ‘depleted forest’. We, therefore, strongly object chimpanzees as a suitable flagship species—at least in the Gishwati–Mukura NP—and recommend collating more knowledge on the release of meso-predators and the loss of forest ungulates to improve their future conservation in Afro-montane forest habitats.

English

Habitat type and their vegetation composition play important role in determining the abundance and diversity of animals including small mammals, hence any change in habitat type will influence their abundance and spatial distribution. This study aimed at investigating the influence of habitat types (that is, Wetland grassland, Miombo and Vachellia woodlands) on small mammal abundance, diversity, and richness in the Usangu area, in southern part of Ruaha National Park, in Tanzania. Sherman and pitfall plastic bucket traps were employed both for trapping small mammals. A total of&nbsp; 92 small mammals were captured in 2124 trap nights giving 13% trap success representing two families, namely, Muridae (6 species) and Soricidae (1 species). Furthermore, trap success differed among habitat types with the highest being in wetland grassland. Species diversity was higher in Vachellia woodlands compared to other habitat types. It would therefore seem that wetland grassland and Vachellia woodland habitats are very crucial in maintaining small mammal abundance and diversity in Usangu Area. Therefore, future management plan should incorporate these refuge habitats for continued existence of small mammals in Usangu. Further study is warranted in wet season in order to have comparison information that will assist in management of small mammal in Usangu.&nbsp; &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp; Conservation, habitat preferences, habitat restoration, Miombo woodlands, rodents, Ruaha National Park, Tanzania, Vachellia woodlands, wetland grassland.

Вплив осушувальної меліорації на кількісний та видовий склад дрібних ссавців

The article is devoted to the research on the abundance and species composition of small mammals in the territory of central Ukraine (Cherkasy, Poltava, and Kyiv oblasts) affected by land development by drainage. The drainage areas of the studied region are located mainly in fens, which in most cases are connected with river valleys. The vegetation there used to be represented by reed sets with thickets of reed–mace as well as various sedges and horsetails. The drainage process consists of several stages. It is possible to outline four of them within the studied areas. The aim of the research was to analyse the influence drainage has on the abundance and species composition of small mammals. In total, 4161 rodents and shrews were captured at a sampling effort of 60 890 trap-days. It was found that drainage is a strong anthropogenic factor that shapes the abundance and species composition of small mammals within the drained lands of central Ukraine. It was revealed that the species diversity of small mammals decreases essentially as the area of drainage grows. In general, with drainage, the number of hydrophilous species decreases sharply or they become extinct, whereas the number of species that prefer open habitats increases. At the same time, the general diversity index (H) reaches the greatest value in areas of the second stage of drainage, and, as drainage works expand, the species diversity decreases significantly. The abundance dynamics of small-mammal species both by habitats and drainage stages is presented. The research results make it possible to understand some patterns drainage causes to the fauna of shrews and rodents, and, accordingly, the specifics of adaptation of the latter to those patterns. The obtained data can be used to estimate and foresee the number of small mammals within different regions of Ukraine, to develop measures to control harmful rodents in drainage areas, to predict the real scale of economic damage caused by them, and to elaborate some theoretical issues in biogeography.

Revealing the real-time diversity and abundance of small mammals by using an Intelligent Animal Monitoring System (IAMS).

It is challenging to reveal the real-time spatio-temporal change of diversity and abundance of animals in natural systems by using traditional methods. The rapid advancement of new technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and big-data processing, provide opportunities for developing novel technologies for monitoring biodiversity and population abundance of animals with high efficacy and accuracy. In this study, by using a recently developed Intelligent Animal Monitoring System, named "Vector Intelligent Monitoring System (VIMS)", we investigated the real-time diversity and abundance of small mammals in the Banruosi forest, Dujiangyan region, southwest China. To make a comparison of the VIMS with traditional methods, we also surveyed the diversity and abundance of small mammals using wired live traps. Compared to live traps, the VIMS has several advantages such as automatic data collection, intelligent identification of species, data visualization, whole-day and all-weather operation, little disturbance to animals, real-time monitoring, and is capable of revealing more small mammal species. However, the VIMS also has several disadvantages over live traps such as lower trapping efficiency and being more expensive than live traps. Our results suggest that the VIMS can be a complementary method to traditional ones in monitoring the real-time spatio-temporal change of diversity and abundance of small mammals (especially rare species). In addition, the VIMS is useful in monitoring other small animals like small carnivores, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.