Sherman Live-traps Research Articles

A New Species of Sucking Louse (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Polyplacidae) From the Gray Mouse Lemur, Microcebus murinus (Primates: Cheirogaleidae), in Madagascar.

Lemurpediculus madagascariensis sp. nov. (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Polyplacidae) is described from the Gray Mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus (J. F. Miller) (Primates: Cheirogaleidae), from Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar. Lemurs were trapped using Sherman Live Traps and visually inspected for lice, which were preserved in 90% ethanol. Adults of both sexes and the third-instar nymph of the new species are illustrated and distinguished from the four previously known species of Lemurpediculus: L. verruculosus (Ward); L. petterorum Paulian; L. claytoni Durden, Blanco, and Seabolt; and L. robbinsi Durden, Blanco, and Seabolt. It is not known if the new species of louse is a vector of any pathogens or parasites.

SPECIES COMPOSITION, HABITAT ASSOCIATION AND RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF SMALL MAMMALS IN BORENA SAYINT NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH WOLLO, ETHIOPIA

Small mammals are ecological regulators in natural habitats. During the present investigation, species composition, distribution and relative abundance of small mammals were studied in Denkoro Forest, South Wollo, and Ethiopia from 2011 to 2012. In this investigation, Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) method was used. Data were collected during the wet and dry seasons by using Sherman live-traps (7.6× 8.9 × 22.9 cm. size) and snap-traps, and the traps were randomly laid at different trap sites of the habitats. The area of each live-trap grid was 70 ×70 m. Each of the grids consisted of seven lines, 10 m apart, with a trap station at every 10 m. A total of 49 Sherman traps was set in each grid, for 3 consecutive days. Ten species of small mammals belonging to rodents and insectivores were recorded from the study area. Additional two rodent species (Hystrix cristata and Trachyoryctes splendens)were sighted, but not captured. The small mammals trapped were Lophuromys flavopunctatus (35.7%), Otomys typus (28.5%), Stenocephalemys griseicauda (14.6%), Arvicanthis dembeensis (9.1%), Crocidura flavescens (5.9%), Stenocephalemys albipes (1.9%), Crocidura fumosa (1.4%), Desmomys harringtoni (0.8%), Mus Mahomet (0.6%) and Dendromus lovati (0.3%). Population abundance and species composition of small mammals varied from habitat to habitat and from season to season. Lophuromys flavopunctatus and O. typus were the most widely distributed and abundant species, whereas S. albipes, C. fumosa (in the forest), D. harringtoni, D. lovati and M. mahomet (in the farmland) were restricted species. Seasonal variation and availability of food resulted in variation in abundance and distribution of small mammals from habitat to habitat. Disturbance of small mammals by plant trampling and cutting should be stopped since small mammals are a source of diet to the endemic Ethiopia wolf and other carnivores.

Effects of Vegetation, Landscape Composition, and Edge Habitat on Small-Mammal Communities in Northern Massachusetts

In southern New England forests, small mammals provide essential contributions to ecosystem functioning via food-web interactions and seed dispersal. This region has been exposed to extensive habitat fragmentation due to residential and agricultural development, resulting in a considerable amount of edge habitat, in addition to naturally occurring landscape heterogeneity. Limited research has been conducted relating small-mammal species richness and abundance to different types of edge habitat in this region. Studies incorporating an analysis of variation in both fine-scale vegetation and coarse-scale landscape variation are even more limited. We compared small-mammal richness, total abundance, and abundance of Peromyscus maniculatus (Deer Mouse), Peromyscus leucopus (White-footed Mouse), Myodes gapperi (Red-backed Vole), Tamias striatus (Eastern Chipmunk), and Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Eastern Red Squirrel) at developed-edge, wetland-edge, and forest-interior sites. We also measured vegetation and landscape variables to understand how variation in characteristics at different scales affected small-mammal measures. We selected 4 sites of each edge type and used Sherman live-traps during the summers of 2009–2010 to survey small-mammal populations (75 traps for 4 nights at 12 sites for 2 y = 7200 trap-nights). We did not find differences among edge types and interior forest for total abundance, richness, and abundance of the 5 small-mammal species with sufficient data for analysis. However, vegetation variables and landscape variables were significantly associated with small-mammal populations. Step-wise linear regression included vegetation variables for 4 of the 5 species, and various landscape scales were included in all analyses except abundance of Peromyscus adults. Patch size was included in 4 analyses (positive for total abundance, White-footed Mouse, and Red-backed Vole; negative for Eastern Chipmunk). We found conifer basal area to have a positive relationship with abundance of Peromyscus adults and Red-backed Voles, but a negative relationship with abundance of Peromyscus juveniles and Eastern Red Squirrels. Species abundance and richness of small-mammal communities and populations in northeastern Massachusetts were related to both fine-scale vegetation differences and coarse-scale landscape metrics, but these relationships were complex and scale-dependent.

A Biosystematic and Morphometric Investigation of the Characters of Rodents (Mammalia: Rodentia) as Reservoir Hosts for Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in an Endemic Focus of Sistan-Baluchistan Province, Iran

Background: Rodents play a major role in economic losses and public health problems. These animals are considered as natural reservoir hosts of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL), one of the major health concerns in Iran. Objectives: This research was aimed to study rodents’ diversity and faunistic of Chabahar County, Sistan-Baluchistan Province, Southeastern Iran, as an old ZCL focus. Materials and Methods: Trappings were randomly performed with 20 Sherman live-traps at four localities from Chabahar County, continuously during 5 months. In the laboratory, the animal skin was entirely removed and taxidermy was performed. Four standard external characters and seven cranial variables were measured using a ruler and vernier calipers, respectively. The collected specimens were identified with respect to their morphological, external, cranial and dental characteristics. A relevant key was used for identification. Sampling was performed in different places from vegetation covering around rodent burrows. Results: Seven species belonging to two families, Muridae and Sciuridae, were collected and determined. A total of seventy individuals of rodents, Meriones hurrianae (M. hurrianae) Jordon 1867, Tatera indica (T. indica) Hardwicke 1807, Mus musculus (M. musculus) Linnaeus 1758, Rattus norvegicus (R. norvegicus) Berkenhout 1769, Rattus rattus (R. rattus) Linnaeus 1758, Nesokia indica (N. indica) Gray 1830 and Funambulus pennantii (F. pennantii) Wroughton 1905, were trapped. The majority (78.6%) of the study specimens comprised of M. hurrianae and T. indica. These two species were found in all study areas, with high abundance. They live socially in large parts of area lands, with a very large number of rodent burrows. Standard external morphologic and morphometric characters of M. hurrianae and T. indica, including cranial and dental, are given. Conclusions: The spatial and temporal monitoring of wild rodents will help to predict the potential zoonotic rodent-borne diseases.

Evidence of Hantavirus Exposure in Rodents From North Texas

Between 27 June 1997 and 16 May 1999, 423 rodents were collected from North Texas (Collin, Denton, and Grayson counties) by using Sherman live-traps (trapping success rate ∼22%). Of the 423 rodents collected, 328 were tested for evidence of IgG antibodies to New World hantaviruses. Hantavirus antibodies were detected in 34 individuals (∼10%). This is the first record of hantavirus antibody—positive rodents from the highly urbanized area of North Texas.

Trapping Mammals in a Cautious World: The Effect of Disinfectants on Trap Success

ABSTRACT. Disinfecting traps that have captured small mammals is one recommendation for preventing occurrence of hantavirus infection; however, the potential effects of disinfection on small mammal trappability have not been investigated thoroughly. We conducted an experiment to compare the effects of 2 disinfectants (Lysol® and household bleach) on the trappability of 4 small mammal species (Peromyscus maniculatus, Neotamias spp., and Spermophilus lateralis). We established triplicate trap grids in 2 forest types (red fir and mixed conifer), each consisting of a 6 × 6 array of Sherman live-traps placed at 10-m intervals. Traps were given 1 of 3 treatments: control (water), Lysol, or bleach; the treated traps were placed in an alternating pattern. Traps were open for 4 consecutive nights with daily treatment application. We found a difference in the trappability of Peromyscus between years; however, we did not detect a statistically significant difference in trappability resulting from disinfection for an...

Effectiveness of Chemical Repellents in Deterring Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) from Sherman Live Traps

Livetrapping small mammals is a common tool for surveying diversity and determining size of populations, but studies in the southern United States often are complicated by the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). We tested effectiveness of four chemical repellents applied around Sherman live traps to deter fire ants from removing bait and mutilating captured mammals (Borax, granules of pyrethrum, Raid Ant and Roach Spray, and carbaryl flea powder). A significant difference among repellents was detected, with carbaryl flea powder and Raid Ant and Roach Spray performing best. Carbaryl flea powder significantly reduced occurrence of fire ants in baited traps, while diversity and rates of capture for small mammals were unaffected.

Distribución espacial y preferencia de hábitat de los micromamíferos en la Cuenca del río Erro (Navarra)

The distribution of rodents and insectivores along the river Erro was analysed. This river is located in the Western Pyrenees valleys of Navarra, Spain. This study was conducted seasonally for 2 years using Sherman live-traps. To analyse the relationship between habitat and species presence, captures and trapping effort for each biotope were recorded. Although the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) was the most abundant species - more than 75% of total captures - this sampling method enabled the capture of another 12 species. In addition, if other signs of presence, such as sightings, signals or tracks, are considered, then a total of 21 species of small mammals were detected. The analysis indicated differences between species in habitat preferences. Apodemus flavicollis and Myodes glareolus were associated with deciduous forests in northern areas, whereas Mus spretus and Crocidura russula were associated with crop areas and ecotones in southern areas. Apodemus sylvaticus has been found throughout all the biotopes.

Predation of Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Pupae in Three Ecosystems Along the Southern Edge of Infestation

The predation potential of small mammals, in particular mice, Peromyscus spp., and invertebrates, was evaluated from 1992 to 1995 near the leading edge of gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), spread into the southeastern United States. Two study sites were established in each of three geographic areas: the coastal plain, Piedmont, and mountains. All sites were mixed hardwood stands with varying amounts of oak, Quercus spp., and all were classified for gypsy moth susceptibility. Small mammal density was estimated using Sherman live-traps and pitfall traps within these 4.68-ha sites in early and late summer. Each site contained 75 trapping stations located on a 25-m grid. Predation was measured by offering freeze-dried gypsy moth pupae near trapping stations at four heights (0, 0.25, 1.0, and 2.0 m) on different tree boles. Pupal predation was monitored for three consecutive nights. Vertebrate predation was positively correlated with good mast production in the previous autumn. Predation data showed that when mice were at high densities they were the major source of pupal predation. However, within these southern sites, when densities of Peromyscus spp. were low, predation by invertebrates was occasionally greater than predation by vertebrates. These data suggest that in some years invertebrates may retard gypsy moth buildup when small mammals are scarce due to mast crop failures.

Bias in the Determination of Temporal Activity Patterns of Syntopic Peromyscus in the Southern Appalachians

We compared inferred activity patterns of two syntopic rodents, Peromyscus leucopus and P. maniculatus , in western North Carolina. Activity patterns were derived from capture-frequency data obtained from Sherman live-traps equipped with digital timers following different trapping protocols. We tested the hypothesis that no differences would be observed in frequency distribution of captures from trapping grids monitored only in the morning (control) compared with grids where captured animals were released during the night and in the morning (treatment). Distributions of frequencies of captures on control and treatment grids were significantly different. On control grids, capture frequencies (based on 3-h in tervals) of both species were higher in the first 3 h after sunset and decreased thereafter throughout the night, but frequencies of captures of both species were uniform throughout the night on treatment grids. Photographic records from automated cameras suggested increasing levels of activity throughout the night. Activity patterns derived from camera data were different from those derived from the control and treatment grids. Inferences regarding activity patterns are sensitive to method and trapping-protocol bias.

Comparison of Traps and Baits for Censusing Small Mammals in Neotropical Lowlands

Snap-traps, live-traps, and baits affect the ability to capture small mammals, but few previous studies have involved sampling communities of small mammals in tropical environments. We tested differences in captures of small marsupials and rodents by Victor snap-traps versus Sherman live-traps and by two types of bait in lowland rainforest at Reserva Cuzco Amaz6nico, southeastern Peru. Snap-traps took ca. 3.5 times as many individuals as live-traps. Snap-traps also captured more species (and more rare species), but we attribute this to more numerous captures overall because the relative proportions of species captured by the two traps generally were the same. Type of bait had little impact on our trapping results.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Sherman and Modified Fitch Live-Traps for Capture of Small Mammals

Sampling biases resulting from type and placement of traps can strongly influence results of studies of small mammals. We compared trap success of modified Fitch and Sherman live-traps in riparian areas of the Oregon Coast Range. Of 8 species of small mammals captured in sufficient numbers to allow statistical comparisons, 6 (Peromyscus maniculatus, Tamias townsendii, Microtus orego?ai, Soreoc trowbridgii, S. pacificus/sonomae, and Neurotrichus gibbsii) were captured more frequently in Sherman than in Fitch traps. Microtus longicaudus was captured with equal frequency in the 2 trap types. Zapus trinotntus was captured most frequently in Fitch live-traps. Incidence of trap mortalities did not differ between the 2 types of traps. In general, Sherman live-traps are more effective than Fitch live-traps) but use of Fitch live-traps may be particularly useful in studies of Zapus trinota:tus. Studies of small mammals often rely on data collected using live-traps. As a result, sampling biases resulting from differences in capture probabilities among species can influence our impressions of relative abundance of different species in an area. Several studies have demonstrated that the effectiveness of traps in capturing small mammals differs with trap type, species, and geographic location (Cockrum 1947, Holdenried 1954, Kisiel 1972, McComb and others 1991, Slade and others 1993, Wiener and Smith 1972, Williams and Braun 1983). Fitch live-traps (John Rose, Norfolk, Virginia) present a potential alternative to Sherman live-traps (H.B. Sherman Traps, Inc., Tallahassee, Florida) . They are more economical, costing roughly 75% the cost of Sherman live-traps. Fitch traps are designed with a wire mesh entrance. O'Farrell and others (1994) found that live-traps made of mesh material caught some species of mammals not captured in Sherman live-traps and that capture success for some species was higher in mesh traps than in Sherman live-traps. In this paper, we compare the trap success of Fitch and Sherman live-traps in riparian areas of the Oregon Coast Range. STUDY AREA AND METHODS We selected 4 riparian areas in the Oregon Coast Range for study: Smith River (T21S R9W Sect. 5; Douglas County, elevation 250 m), Cleghorn Creek (T21S R7W Sect. 4; Douglas County, elevation 200 m), Honey Grove Creek (T14S R7W Sect. 3; Benton County, elevation 150 m)) and Bull Run (T13S R9W Sect. 14; Lincoln County, elevation 300 m). The sites are 25 to 60 km from the coast. Vegetation at Honey Grove Creek, Bull Run, and Cleghorn Creek was dominated by red alder (Alnus rubra) in the overstory with occasional bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), Douglasfir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylln), and western redcedar (Thuja pZicata). Shrub layers at these sites were dominated by salm-

Temporal Activity of Syntopic Peromyscus in the Central Appalachians

Partitioning of time may allow coexistence of syntopic species that occupy similar ecological niches. Circadian activities, expressed as hours after sunset, were described and potential for temporal segregation examined for Peromyscus leucopus noveboracensis and Peromyscus maniculatus nubiterrae at low densities in a deciduous forest of western Maryland. Sherman live-traps equipped with digital timers recorded capture time of individuals of these two species from spring 1988 through winter 1989. Nocturnal activity of P. leucopus was unimodal, whereas activity of P. maniculatus was variable. Onset of nocturnal activity for both species was closely tied to sunset across seasons. A significant difference ( P < 0.05) was observed between activity patterns of these species in spring, when a greater proportion of captures of P. maniculatus than that of P. leucopus occurred in the early morning hours. This temporal segregation during the breeding season may result in fewer interspecific encounters at a time when energy must be conserved for reproduction.

Use of a Mesh Live Trap for Small Mammals: Are Results from Sherman Live Traps Deceptive?

Two types of mesh live traps were better than Sherman traps for capturing rodents in high and low deserts, Mediterranean grassland and shrubland, and riparian woodland and scrub habitats ( P < 0.001). Mesh traps took more species and more individuals within a species than did Sherman traps, resulting in substantially different estimates of density, sex ratios, age structure, and movement. Kangaroo rats frequently kicked sand into Sherman traps, but not into mesh traps. A significant difference in trap response for a variety of rodents suggests a need for reevaluation of studies on populations, behavior, and distribution conducted with Sherman and other closed, box-type traps.

Differential Effectiveness of Standard and Long Sherman Livetraps in Capturing Small Mammals

Most studies of small-mammal populations rely on livetrapping, yet relatively few studies compare different types of traps. We placed one standard-length (22.9 cm) and one long (30.5 cm) Sherman livetrap at each station of a trapping grid in oldfield habitat in eastern Kansas and compared rates of capture of small mammals over a 5-year period (1985–1990). Nine of 10 species were captured more often in long traps. Of the five most commonly trapped species, only Sigmodon hispidus and Microtus ochrogaster varied seasonally in proportion of captures in long traps. Species having lower adult body mass were captured proportionately more often in long traps, suggesting that long traps might have more sensitive trigger mechanisms. However, long traps closed without capturing an animal significantly less often; furthermore, proportions of captures in the two types of trap did not differ among mass classes of S. hispidus or M. ochrogaster , so size differences alone cannot account for differential capture success. Not only were capture rates higher in long traps, but also mortality due to predators and winter exposure was lower.

Względna efektywność trzech typów pułapek na małe ssaki

Pizzimenti J. J., 1979: The relative effectiveness of three types of traps for small mammals in some Peruvian rodent communities. Acta theriol., 24, 25: 351—361 [With 5 Tables] Comparisons were made among species and size classes caught by three commonly used, small-mammal traps. Results suggest that trap design can bias estimates of size variation and species diversity. McGill rat traps are more effective for trapping larger species. Sherman livetraps are more effective for trapping the smaller phenotypes and species. Museum Special snap traps were the most effective in that they caught a broad size spectrum of individuals and species. Additionally, Museum Specials obtained the largest proportion of the composite catch; live traps the smallest proportion and rat traps were intermediate. Results of these analyses should serve as a caveat to students of mammalian populations because the use of specimens and trapping data may sometimes carry hidden bias based on method of capture.