Distribution Of Small Mammals Research Articles

Distribution and abundance of small mammals in Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario

Distribution and abundance of small mammals in Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario

Diet of the Barn Owl, Tyto-Alba, in the Tanami Desert, Northern Territory

The diet of the barn owl was determined by analysing egested pellets collected from the Tanami Desert. These data were also used to examine the distribution of small mammals in the region. Rodents were the dominant prey items, forming more than 74% of prey biomass in all samples. The dominant rodent species were those that undergo large fluctuations in population size. Notomys alexis was the dominant prey item in 15 of the 17 samples. In all samples, one or two species of rodents formed 47-100% of prey biomass. Dasyurids were relatively minor prey items, forming less than 12% of prey biomass in all samples. It is suggested that this is a reflection of their abundance relative to rodents. Bats, birds, lizards and insects combined formed less than 14% of prey biomass in all but one sample (24%). Behavioural and life-history characteristics of prey appear to affect their susceptibility to predation. The analysis of pellets proved to be a useful supplementary technique to conventional methods of surveying small mammals. All species of small mammal that could be expected were identified in owl pellets. Notomys amplus was recorded in pellets but not collected by conventional techniques.

Discarded Bottles as a Source of Small Mammal Distribution Data

Discarded Bottles as a Source of Small Mammal Distribution Data

Small mammals and habitat structure in lowland rain forest of Peninsular Malaysia

ABSTRACTA method of assessing rain forest structure by ranking relative abundance of 41 habitat variables was used to describe habitat differences among six trapping sites (324 subsites). Variables included aspects of all vegetation layers but concentrated on those considered to be important to small mammal distribution. Ordination and classification methods resulted in similar analyses of the data. Differences in habitat structure were primarily related to the moisture conditions of the trapping sites and secondarily to their successional age (regenerating versus primary forest). The most important habitat variables for differentiating between sites were LITTER, CLEARING, SOILS, PIG DAMAGE, FLOODING, FAN PALM, EMERGENTS, CANOPY SURFACE and SEEDLINGS. Habitat structure also varied within sites with some suggestion of small-scale patterning.Small mammal captures were more likely in drier sites and subsites, but there was no difference in trap success between regenerating sites and primary forest sites. Greater numbers of species were captured in sites containing a variety of habitats, a discrete layering of vegetation and an extensive understorey. Small mammal captures were positively associated with five habitat variables (EMERGENTS, LITTER, ROTTING LOGS, SEEDLINGS, ROUGH BARK) and negatively associated with five others (LAYERS, BERTAM, SEDGES, PIG DAMAGE, FLOODING). The destruction caused by pigs is thought to be a major factor since it reduces litter and food availability over wide areas. Leopoldamys sabanus was the most abundant small mammal captured (40/68 individuals) and trap success differences among sites (0.4–1.9%) reflect its preference for higher, well-drained habitats.The study demonstrates the usefulness of a simple method of ranking habitat features according to importance/abundance thus eliminating the all but impossible task of direct measurements in this complex system. This simple method of habitat description provides a basis for studying variables influencing faunal distribution patterns.

Distribution of small mammals on nine small coastal islands in southwestern Nova Scotia

Distribution of small mammals on nine small coastal islands in southwestern Nova Scotia

Ecological Distribution of Small Mammals in the De Long Mountains of Northwestern Alaska

The ecological distribution of small mammals (<200 g) was studied in the foothill tundra of the De Long Mountains in northwestern Alaska. Three species of shrews and five species of microtine rodents were trapped on 15 live-trapping grids during 1978 and 1979. Emphasis was placed on the three most abundant microtine species (Clethrionomys rutilus, Microtus oeconomus and M. gregalis). During late summer up to six species of small mammals were captured per habitat type which ranged from wet meadow through mesic shrubland to dry ridges. Following snowmelt most habitats contained only a single species and some contained none. Only four habitat types were continuously occupied by small mammals during both summers. Species diversity was variable among habitats. Most species of small mammals were captured on eight or fewer of the 15 trapping grids. Only Clethrionomys rutilus was captured on all grids. The number of habitats occupied by Clethrionomys rutilus increased from 4 to 14 as population densities increased. The number of habitats occupied by the other species seemed to be independent of population density. Average population densities for the microtines were low (<15/ha) and, for each species, varied according to habitat type. Only Clethrionomys rutilus populations demonstrated marked intra-annual fluctuations (3/ha to 37/ha).Key words: rodents, habitat, Alaska, populations, Clethrionomys rutilus, Micro oeconomus, Microtu gregalis

The Role of Habitat Complexity and Heterogeneity in Structuring Tropical Mammal Communities

The relationship between mammal community structure and vertical variation in habitat physiognomy (complexity) and horizontal variation in habitat form (heterogeneity) was examined on five study areas in the llanos of Venezuela. Data on the small mammal (<1 kg) of the study sites were obtained through a mark—recapture trapping program of >38 000 trap nights from 1976—1978. Data on the distribution of large, nonvolant mammals were obtained during 24 mo of field observation. Measures of habitat complexity and habitat heterogeneity were derived using principal components analysis. There was little association between habitat structure and the richness, diversity, abundance, and biomass of small mammals. Abiotic factors, such as the degree of wet—season flooding, probably play an important role in patterns of small mammal distribution and abundance. The total number of mammal species was positively correlated with habitat complexity but not correlated with habitat heterogeneity. Increasing species richness across the complexity gradient was probably accommodated by increasing potential food resources. New species were added to complex communities primarily through guild expansion rather than guild addition.

Distribution and Ecology of Small Mammals in Three Rain Forest Localities of Peninsula Malaysia With Particular References to Kedah Peak

The small terrestrial mammals of an isolated Malaysian mountain were studied by live trapping and removal techniques. Population densities were estimated by removal trapping and compared with other estimates. The altitudinal distribution was examined using four line transects and a grid from 150-1000 m. The common tree shrew, Tupaia glis, occurred at all elevations, but the rats Leopoldamys sabanus, Maxomys suriferlrajab and M. whiteheadi were replaced by Niviventer bukit and Berylmys bowersii at 1000 m. Biomass estimates appeared to be greater than those given for small ground mammals in other Malayan rainforests, but less than those in Neotropical forests. Tupaia glis showed a definite breeding season. Survival rate for Maxomys surifer was 0.80/ month. All trapped animals ate insects, but these were major items only for Tupaia glis, Leopoldamys sabanus, and Maxomys

The Fallacy of the Traffic Policeman: A Response to Templeton and Lawlor

Previous articleNext article No AccessNotes and CommentsThe Fallacy of the Traffic Policeman: A Response to Templeton and LawlorJames F. Gilliam, Richard F. Green, and Nolan E. PearsonJames F. Gilliam Search for more articles by this author , Richard F. Green Search for more articles by this author , and Nolan E. Pearson Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The American Naturalist Volume 119, Number 6Jun., 1982 Published for The American Society of Naturalists Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/283962 Views: 3Total views on this site Citations: 18Citations are reported from Crossref Copyright 1982 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Mark Broom, Ross Cressman, Vlastimil Křivan , Journal of Theoretical Biology 483 ( 2019): 109993.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2019.109993Julie Martineau, David Pothier, Daniel Fortin Processes driving short-term temporal dynamics of small mammal distribution in human-disturbed environments, Oecologia 181, no.33 (Mar 2016): 831–840.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-016-3613-6Martin S. Shapiro, Cynthia Schuck-Paim, Alex Kacelnik Risk sensitivity for amounts of and delay to rewards: Adaptation for uncertainty or by-product of reward rate maximising?, Behavioural Processes 89, no.22 (Feb 2012): 104–114.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2011.08.016L.R. Gerber, O.J. Reichman, J. Roughgarden Food hoarding: future value in optimal foraging decisions, Ecological Modelling 175, no.11 (Jun 2004): 77–85.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2003.10.022Fausto Brito e Abreu, Alex Kacelnik Energy budgets and risk-sensitive foraging in starlings, Behavioral Ecology 10, no.33 (May 1999): 338–345.https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/10.3.338M Bateson, A Kacelnik Preferences for fixed and variable food sources: variability in amount and delay., Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior 63, no.33 (May 1995): 313–329.https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1995.63-313Alejandro Kacelnik, Ian A. Todd Psychological mechanisms and the Marginal Value Theorem: effect of variability in travel time on patch exploitation, Animal Behaviour 43, no.22 (Feb 1992): 313–322.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-3472(05)80226-XL. Real Animal choice behavior and the evolution of cognitive architecture, Science 253, no.50235023 (Aug 1991): 980–986.https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1887231 A. H. Welsh , A. Townsend Peterson , and Stuart A. Altmann The Fallacy of Averages, The American Naturalist 132, no.22 (Oct 2015): 277–288.https://doi.org/10.1086/284850Sonya D. Zabludoff, John Wecker, Thomas Caraco Foraging choice in laboratory rats: Constant vs. variable delay, Behavioural Processes 16, no.1-21-2 (Mar 1988): 95–110.https://doi.org/10.1016/0376-6357(88)90021-6H.C.J. Godfray, Anthony R. Ives Stochasticity in invertebrate clutch-size models, Theoretical Population Biology 33, no.11 (Feb 1988): 79–101.https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-5809(88)90005-6Thomas W. Schoener A Brief History of Optimal Foraging Ecology, (Jan 1987): 5–67.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1839-2_1Russell D. Gray Faith and Foraging: A Critique of the “Paradigm Argument from Design”, (Jan 1987): 69–140.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1839-2_2 D. W. Stephens , J. F. Lynch , A. E. Sorensen , and C. Gordon Preference and Profitability: Theory and Experiment, The American Naturalist 127, no.44 (Oct 2015): 533–553.https://doi.org/10.1086/284501John H. Kagel, Leonard Green, Thomas Caraco When foragers discount the future: constraint or adaptation?, Animal Behaviour 34 (Feb 1986): 271–283.https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-3472(86)90032-1Louis J. Gross An Overview of Foraging Theory, (Jan 1986): 37–57.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69888-0_3D. W. Stephens, Eric L. Charnov Optimal foraging: Some simple stochastic models, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 10, no.44 (Jul 1982): 251–263.https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00302814 Michael Turelli , John H. Gillespie , and Thomas W. Schoener The Fallacy of the Fallacy of the Averages in Ecological Optimization Theory, The American Naturalist 119, no.66 (Oct 2015): 879–884.https://doi.org/10.1086/283963

Summer home range and habitat utilisation of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in a tundra habitat, northwest British Columbia

Eight adult red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were radio tracked during the summers of 1978 and 1979 in an alpine and subalpine environment of northwest British Columbia. The spatial distributions of small mammals (mice, voles, and shrews) and arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) were ascertained to complement the telemetric study. Summer home ranges averaged 1611 ha (range = 277–3420 ha) and were larger than vulpine ranges in temperate environments. Significant habitat selection was evident in five of the seven home ranges that were examined. Salix shrub communities were preferred habitats, whereas, open lichen – Empetrum and fen communities were avoided. Relative densities of small mammals and arctic ground squirrels varied significantly among plant communities. Possible explanations, considering the diet of the fox and the spatial distribution of its prey, are offered to account for the observed patterns of home-range size and habitat utilisation.

Ecological distribution and faunal structure of small mammals in central Nepal

Ecological distribution and faunal structure of small mammals in central Nepal

The Influence of Topography and Vegetation on the Distribution of Small Mammals in Southwestern Utah

-The distribution of 15 species of small mammals was studied along a 160 km transect in southwestern Utah. The transect followed an elevational gradient and incorporated five community types. Ordination analysis revealed that abundance and distribution of certain small mammal species were influenced by topographic features (Hurricane Cliffs) and vegetational characteristics. The influence of physical and environmental factors on the distribution and abundance of small mammals in the southwestern United States has been well documented by numerous investigators (Hardy, 1945; Durrant, 1952; Allred and Beck, 1963; Armstrong et al., 1973; Beatley, 1976; Armstrong, 1977a). The purpose of this paper is to examine the distribution of small mammals as it relates to elevation and vegetation. We have chosen southwestern Utah for the following reasons: 1) Durrant (1952) and later Armstrong (1977a) subdivided this region into two major faunal areas as a result of mammal distribution and changes in physiography; 2) elevation varies from approximately 1950 m to 700 m over a distance of 160 km; 3) vegetational changes accompany elevational changes in this region; 4) presently, this region is being scrutinized for possible industrial development. STUDY AREA.-Eleven sampling stations for vegetation and small mammals were established in representative habitats along a 160 km transect in southwestern Utah (Fig. 1). The stations follow an elevational gradient from north of Kanab to the St. George Basin to the Nevada border. This region is located in a transition area of the Great Basin and Mojave deserts, in the Virgin River Valley Province as recognized by Durrant (1952) and Armstrong (1977a). The area is characterized by a rugged landscape with two major topographic features, the Hurricane Cliffs and the Beaverdam Mountains. The Hurricane Cliffs were formed by a major fault and rise approximately 400 m above the adjacent western areas of the St. George Basin. The Beaverdam Mountains rise approximately 2000 m and form a north-south barrier along the western edge of Utah. The study area encompasses five community types: pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, shadscale, blackbrush, creosote bush. The general distribution of these community types can be correlated directly with topography (see Results). METHODS. Vegetational analyses and small mammal studies were conducted at each sampling area during February, April, and August 1975. Vegetational sampling was designed to determine plant associations and dominant plant species at each site. Since the main goal was to determine small mammal occurrence along the transect, the three sampling periods were pooled for further analysis. Trees and shrubs were sampled using the point-centered quarter method of Cottam and Curtis (1956). Annual and perennial herbaceous vegetation was sampled using 25 0.9 m by 0.9 m quadrats placed at 3-m intervals along five parallel 15-m tape lines spaced 20 paces apart. Canopy-coverage for herbaceous vegetation was estimated for each species present in the quadrant. These estimates were made according to six cover classes: 0 5, 5 25, 25 50, 75 95, and 95 100%. An average cover value was calculated using the midpoint percentage value of each covering class. Estimates of percent cover of herbaceous plants and density/hectare were calculated for all stations except station 7, where the relative density of plant species and total cover were calculated. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.32 on Mon, 10 Oct 2016 04:24:32 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms The Southwestern Naturalist

Habitat Distribution and Species Diversity of Small Mammals in South-east Queensland in relation to Vegetation Structure

Two measures of vegetation structure and density failed to show any relationship ta species diversity of small mammals in a series of south-east Queensland coastal habitats. However, the distribution of some species appears to be related to the responses of the animals to vegetation density. Two groups of small mammal species, a rainforest group and a heathland group, are evident. The distribution of these groups is discussed in relation to the habitat responses of the constituent species.

Microhabitat Utilization and Species Distribution of Sympatric Small Mammals in Southwestern Ontario

To examine predictable patterns of small mammal species distribution several habitat measures were taken, and small mammal species recorded, in six major habitat types in southwestern Ontario. Peromyscus leucopus, P. maniculatus, Microtus pennsylvanicus, Tamias striatus, Zapus hudsonius and Blarina brevicauda were captured in large enough numbers for multivariate analysis. All species pairs except Blarina-Zapus were found to be significantly different in habitat utilization due to a combination of tree basal area, amount of vegetation between 0.25 m and 1 m, number ot trees, depth of dead grasses, leaves and other debris on the soil surface, and proportion of trees with first branches between 2 m and 3 m. Individual species predictably selected significantly different microhabitats. Species density of small mammals in southwestern Ontario was significantly correlated with the depth of dead grasses, leaves and other debris on the soil surface, a probable indicator of runway suitability and available productivity. Mean foliage height diversity was correlated with species density, whereas most measures of horizontal habitat heterogeneity were not good predictors of species number.

An Ecologic Study of the Habitat Types of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park, North Dakota

The objectives of this study, initiated in May, 1978, were to study and delimit the habitat types of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park (TRNMP), North Dakota, to collect and tabulate the vascular plants, to determine the edaphic characteristics of the habitat types, and to collect animal species of the habitat types. There have been few studies of habitat types in grassland areas; this one is the first in western North Dakota. The habitat type concept was developed to assess the ecologic status of forest vegetation of the Northern Rocky Mountains (Daubenmire 1952, Daubenmire and Daubenmire 1968). Later Daubenmire (1970) used the same concepts in an analysis of steppe vegetation of eastern Washington. This basic ecologic concept has been used since in a number of studies throughout the Rocky Mountain region (Pfister et al. 1977, Reed 1971, 1976, Wirsing and Alexander 1975, Hoffman and Alexander 1976). The basic nature of this ecologic concept permits wide usage in vegetation studies. Additionally, following the basic habitat type delimitation, follow-up studies can relate the habitat types to other aspects of the biotic community. Examples include studies on primary productivity, disease susceptibility of tree species, potential for wildlife, soil moisture regimes, small mammal distributions (Daubenmire 1973, Hoffman 1960, Layser 1974, Mackee 1970, Rickard 1960).

The use of habitat components by small mammals in eastern Australia

The effect of habitat components (vegetation density at two levels, litter, logs and roads) on the distribution of small mammals was assessed in adjacent areas of native forest and Pinus taeda plantation in north-eastern New South Wales. Rattus fuscipes was associated with structural complexity in native forest but not in pine plantation where it was found on downslope areas. R. rattus was associated with windrows in the pine plantation, R. lutreolus with areas devoid of a shrub layer in the pine plantation, Antechinus stuartii with logs and Melomys cervinipes with habitat components associated with rainforest areas. Road crossing by small mammals was inversely related to road width; roads severely restricted or stopped the movement of small mammals even when the road consisted of a long-unused and partly overgrown track.

An Ecologic Study of the Habitat Types of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park, North Dakota

The objectives of this study, begun in May 1978, are to delimit the habitat types of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park (TRNMP), North Dakota, list the plants present, and assess the animal components of the habitat types. For TRNMP a comprehensive study of the habitat types has not been done previously. The habitat type concept was developed to assess the ecologic status of forest vegetation of the Northern Rockies (Daubenmire 1952, Daubenmire and Daubenmire 1968); and the same concept was later used to assess steppe vegetation of Washington (Daubenmire 1970). The habitat type approach to assessing the ecologic status of vegetation has been used in a number of studies throughout the Rocky Mountain region (Pfister et al. 1977, Reed 1971, 1976, Wirsing and Alexander 1975, Hoffman and Alexander 1976). The basic ecologic nature of the habitat type concept lends itself to studying forest and grassland vegetation as well as interspersed shrublands (Daubenmire 1973). It has been shown that once established for a given region, habitat types provide the framework for establishing relationships between the habitat types and productivity, disease susceptibility, potential for forage production, soil moisture relations, and small mammal distributions (Daubenmire 1973, Hoffman 1960, Layser 1974, Mackee 1970, Rickard 1960). The study at TRNMP will provide data on habitat types and their major animal components and will offer opportunity for future assessment of soil moisture relations, productivity and other characteristics of a basic or applied nature.

Factors influencing local distribution and species diversity of forest small mammals in New England

Napeozapus insignis and Blarina brevicauda were more abundant in sites with greater vegetation cover, especially herbaceous vegetation; Peromyscus leucopus and P. maniculatus were more abundant in sites with lesser herbaceous cover. Napeozapus insignis and Clethrionomys gapperi were more abundant in moist sites; B. brevicauda was only slightly more abundant in moist situations. Differences in water availability in their food appeared to be the primary reason for differences in local distributional patterns of the latter two species, both of which have high water requirements. The food of B. brevicauda (invertebrates) has a high water content even in dry sites, while water content of the food of C. gapperi (seeds, plant material, and fungi) reflects more directly soil moisture conditions. Napeozapus insignis, Microtus pinetorum, and Sorex cinereus had the narrowest habitat breadths; habitat breadths of P. leucopus, P. maniculatus, C. gapperi, and B. brevicauda were widest. Only the total number of species of trees and shrubs in a site displayed a correlation (positive) with species diversity of small mammals. Diversity of available food is presumed to be the proximate factor influencing diversity of forest small mammals in New England.

Palatability factors and nutritive values of the food of buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) in Uganda

SummaryThe food preferences of tame buffaloes grazing different vegetation types were recorded. The effects of fire and rainfall were investigated. By initiating a new growth cycle, fire altered the food habits of large herbivores and also the distribution of small mammals. Seasonal variations in the effect of rainfall on plant growth explains why preferences did not change in proportion to precipitation.The more important grasses were collected and their parts analysed physically and chemically. Their stem to leaf ratio is considered to have influenced the species eaten by coarse grazers such as buffalo. A broad correlation was obtained between buffalo preferences and the percentage green leaf of Hyparrhenia filipendula and Themeda triandra. This correlation was improved when preferences were compared with the number of grams green leaf carbohydrate per 100 g dry grass. There was a negative response to the silica present in dead leaves, but stem fibre appeared to have little effect on preferences. A grazing animal experiences a combination of attractants and repellants, i.e. green leaf carbohydrate and protein less stem fibre and dead leaf silica.Other palatability factors were noted, in particular tannins and oils in grasses of the tribe Andropogoneae. These may act as repellants, possibly only when the grazing animal has alternative vegetation from which to choose.The mineral content of grasses appeared to be adequate and calcium and phosphorus were present in about the required proportions.The observations support the belief that selective grazing enables a herbivore to consume a diet of significantly higher nutritive value than that of the average sward. Browsing and new growth after fire help compensate for the low nutritive value of pasture during the dry season. The nutritive value of the diet is considered to be the proximal factor in the seasonal cycle of reproduction of the buffalo and probably the ultimate factor in the reproduction of certain other ungulates and rodents.

Late Wisconsin mammalian faunas and environmental gradients of the eastern United States

Small mammal species distribution, density, and composition of modern and Pleistocene faunas from the eastern United States provide information about environmental gradients. Higher summer temperatures and less effective moisture along a transect from the northeast to the southwest can be correlated with the distribution of small mammals as well as decreases in the total number of shrew and vole species. Relative frequencies of “boreal”, “deciduous”, and “steppe” species are more equal in late Wisconsin than modern faunas which are predominantly composed of only one group. A higher vole species density is prevalent in each late Wisconsin fauna and eleven of twelve of these faunas have a higher shrew species density than the corresponding modern fauna. Many shrew and vole species that are today endemic to the boreal provinces were cosmopolitan during the late Wisconsin. Moderate environmental gradients of the equable late Wisconsin climates allowed integration of boreal species with resident species in the south.