Non-volant Small Mammals Research Articles

Patterns and underlying mechanisms of non-volant small mammal richness along two contrasting mountain slopes in southwestern China

The species richness patterns of small mammals and the processes shaping them in two gradients of a mountain with different spatial and climatic characteristics were examined using standard sampling scheme. We trapped 2,006 small mammals representing 37 species, along elevational gradients on both western and eastern slopes of the Ailao Mountains, Southwest China. Using mid-domain effect model, model selection and model averaging, we examined the effects of slope, area, mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual humidity (MAH), productivity, plant species richness (PSR) and the mid-domain effect (MDE) on the patterns of small mammal diversity. The hump-shaped patterns were favored along the elevational gradient, but shapes of diversity curves were different on the contrasting slopes. Area and productivity were the most important factors in explaining the variation of total species richness. However, for each specific group of small mammals (i.e. insectivores vs. rodents, large-ranged vs. small-ranged species, endemic vs. non-endemic species), the peaks of species richness and their primary drivers varied. The major explanatory factors for richness pattern of each small mammal group were not significantly different between the slopes, suggesting the existence of the general underlying mechanisms on two slopes of a mountain.

Differencial efficiency of two sampling methods in capturing non-volant small mammals in an area in eastern Amazonia

ABSTRACT This study was the first to evaluate the efficiency of trapping methods in the study of small mammals in the Carajás National Forest, southeastern Brazilian Amazon. It is an area with a unique vegetation type (metalofilic savannah or Canga). The aims of this study were to compare the efficiency of two trapping methods (i.e. live-traps and pitfalls), the bait types used, and evaluate if trapping success varied seasonally. We used four sampling grids, each with six parallel transects. The trap effort for live-traps and pitfalls was 51,840 trap*nights and 10,800 bucket*nights, respectively. We used three types of bait: a paste of peanut butter and sardines, bacon, and bananas. We placed one type of bait in each trap, alternating between points. We recorded 26 species of small mammals, 11 from the order Didelphimorphia and 15 from the order Rodentia. Pitfalls captured a higher number of species compared with live-traps. The capture rate, the mortality rate and the quantity of juveniles and adults did not differ significantly between methods. Capture rate for pitfalls differed significantly between seasons. The majority of species were captured by a single method. Species were equally attracted to the traps regardless of the type of bait used. Some of our results differed significantly from other studies in Amazonia and such variation should be taken into account when designing survey methods for Amazonian small mammals.

A comparative study of the diet of the Indian Eagle Owl Bubo bengalensis (Franklin, 1831) from two distinct habitats in the Tamil Nadu - Puducherry area, southern India

A total of 166 prey items were identified from pellets, pellet remains and prey remains – 84 from Arunachala Hill and 82 from Pondicherry University campus. The total biomass encountered from pellet and prey remains was 22,620.17g – 11,240.59g from Arunachala and 11,379.58g from Pondicherry University. Out of the 166 prey items 102 were non-volant small mammals accounting for a biomass of 13,973.90g – 5,616.83g (49.94%) from Arunachala and 8,357.07g (73.42%) from Pondicherry University. Even among these murid rodents dominated – 44.99% in Arunachala and 70.13% in Pondy University. Milvus migrans were predated upon by Bubo bengalensis and 10 partly eaten carcasses were recovered – hence they could not be assigned a category as the quantity consumed could not be determined. It is a well known fact that Eagle Owls are intolerant to other avian predators, and territorial behaviour and intraguild aggression / predation could be responsible for this phenomenon. 3 other partly consumed remains of birds were also encountered and these too could not be assigned a category for the same reason that the quantity ingested could not be determined. Anurans occurred for a combined biomass of 12.87% in both areas. The rest, viz. Coleoptera, Orthoptera and Paratelphusa sp. accounted for a paltry biomass of 0.51%. The difference between murid rodents occurring in the two habitats was illuminating. In Arunachala the constant food of the owls were the field rodents Millardia meltada (15.47%), Bandicota bengalensis (8.74%) and Tatera indica (11.65%), and a single Bandicota indica (6.07%) which is a species found around rural habitations. The first two species were conspicuous by their absence in Pondicherry University and the Tatera indica was encountered in very small quantities (3.70%). Uniquely enough, the terrestrial and fossorial forms of urban rodents formed the basic food of Bubo bengalensis in Pondicherry University – Rattus rattus (20.64%) and Bandicota indica (43.94%). Both these species are human commensals and occur in pestilential proportions in urban habitats. The specific identity of Mus spp. could not be derived due to the complexity of identification, but as our specimens are housed in the repository of WILD molecular analysis could shed light on the species complex in the near future. We have compared non-volant small mammal prey of the regions we studied with those of Maharastra and the results are discussed.

Diversity and Impacts of Mining on the Non-Volant Small Mammal Communities of Two Vegetation Types in the Brazilian Amazon.

The Carajás National Forest contains some of the largest iron ore deposits in the world. The majority of the minerals are found below a plant community known as Savana Metalófila, or “Canga”, which represents only 3% of the landscape within the Carajás National Forest (CNF). The aim of our study was to understand the diversity of community of non-volant small mammals in the two predominant vegetation types: Ombrophilous Forest and Canga, and to examine how mining impacts these communities. Sampling was conducted from January 2010 to August 2011 in 11 sampling sites divided by the total area of Canga and 12 sampling sites in the forest, totalizing 23 sites. Of these, 12 sites (Canga and Forest) were considered impacted areas located close to the mine (<< 900 meters) and 11 sites (Canga and Forest), serving as controls, which were at least 7,000 meters from the mine. We recorded 28 species, 11 from the Order Didelphimorphia and 17 from the Order Rodentia. The two forest types shared 68.42% of the species found in the CNF. A gradient analysis (Non-metric multidimensional scaling) revealed that the first axis clearly separated the non-flying small mammal communities by vegetation type. Occupancy models showed that the detectability of species was affected by the distance from the mining activities. Of all the small mammals analyzed, 10 species were positively affected by the distance from mining in areas impacted (e.g. more likely to be detected farther from mining areas) and detectability was lower in impacted areas. However, three species were negatively affected by the distance from mining, with higher detectability in the impacted areas, and seven species showed no effect of their proximity to mining operations. To date, there are no studies in Brazil about the impact of mining on mammals or other vertebrates. This study reveals that the effect of mining may go beyond the forest destruction caused by the opening of the mining pits, but also may negatively affect sensitive wildlife species.

Laelapine Mite (Acari: Laelapidae) Morphometric Analysis Reflects Taxonomic and Geographic Clusters of South American Oryzomyines (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae)

Ongoing efforts to survey and inventory nonvolant small mammals across the Neotropics are beginning to reveal a highly structured and diverse fauna of rodents and marsupials. By increasing the foundation of specimens in museums around the world, it has become possible, for the first time, to evaluate and quantify the similarities and differences among small mammals collected from a broad range of geographic locali­ties, ecoregions, and habitats. Because ectoparasites were sampled in the process of collecting mammalian voucher specimens, we are able to study the laelapine mites (Acari: Laelapidae) associated with well-iden­tified and verifiable host specimens. Here, we evaluate morphometric variation of two nominal mite spe­cies, Laelaps acuminata and Gigantolaelaps oudemansi (Acari: Laelapidae), that are widespread and appear to infest a wide range of both terrestrial (Hylaeamys and Euryoryzomys) and arboreal (Oecomys) oryzo­myine rodents. Mites were collected from seven species (three genera) of oryzomyines, E. macconnelli, E. nitidus, E. russatus, H. megacephalus, Oe. bicolor, Oe. concolor, and Oe. mamorae, from a number of local­ities from Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. Results of both UPGMA clustering and principal component anal­yses, for both mite species, indicate that each rodent species hosts distinct mite species (with one possi­ble exception—Euryoryzomys nitidus and E. russatus), and that each of these two nominal mite species is actually a complex of species, heretofore unrecognized, and awaiting formal description. Our results add to the growing body of evidence that laelapine mite species are host-specific, rather than pleioxenous, as has been the paradigm developed in the parasitological literature. Finally, we discuss the implications of our results for oryzomyine taxonomy, including the status of Euryoryzomys nitidus and E. russatus. These morphometric studies indicate that the diversity of the laelapine mite fauna associated with oryzomyine rodents has been underestimated.

Marsupials and rodents (Didelphimorphia and Rodentia) of upper Rio Acre, with new data on Oxymycterus inca Thomas, 1900 from Brazil

Our goal was to inventory marsupial and rodent species from two conservation units (Reserva Extrativista Chico Mendes and Estação Ecológica do Rio Acre) of the upper Rio Acre, in Brazilian Amazonia, as well as to provide new data on the morphology and geographic distribution for several species. We recorded 25 species, including seven marsupials and 18 rodents. Among these, there are poorly sampled species in Brazil, such as Marmosa regina and Dactylomys boliviensis. We document range extensions (about 450 km towards southeastern Acre state) of Neacomys musseri, Dasyprocta fuliginosa, and Proechimys cuvieri. We also present the first confirmed record of an undescribed species of Monodelphis in Acre state and the second collecting record of Oxymycterus inca in Brazil. We describe the morphology and morphometrics of upper Rio Acre specimens of O. inca. Finally, we compare our results with other inventories in the Amazon region and discuss the high efficiency of pitfall traps for capturing nonvolant small mammals.

Processes related to habitat selection, diversity and niche similarity in assemblages of non-volant small mammals at grassland–forest ecotones

Habitat suitability for mammal species in grassland/forest ecotones may be affected by changes in abiotic conditions (e.g. light incidence), grazing and burning disturbances, and woody encroachment. We evaluate models addressing the role of such factors on structuring non-volant small mammal assemblages considering (1) only disturbed and (2) all ecotones (disturbed and undisturbed). A complete model (i.e., abiotic gradients, disturbances and woody encroachment) was the most plausible for abundance considering all ecotones, and for niche similarity considering both all and only disturbed ecotones. Niche similarity increased with distance from hydric resources, and abundance with increasing vegetation height. Further, disturbed habitats harbored simplified species assemblages. Habitat selection was detected in all ecotones due to the occurrence of habitat-specialist species on undisturbed sites. We did not find an exclusive influence of woody encroachment on mammal diversity. Patterns described here are relevant for management of productive lands and for biodiversity conservation.

Individual vs. non-individual acoustic signalling in African woodland dormice (Graphiurus murinus)

Animals that live in cohesive groups often use social calls for long-distance communication, particularly in low-visibility habitats, whereas other call types are only used to communicate over short distances. According to the “distance-communication hypothesis” only the former should encode individual information while the latter should not because individuals are in visual or olfactory contact when calls are broadcast. We used the African woodland dormouse Graphiurus murinus, a social rodent whose vocal repertoire is still poorly known, as a model species to test the hypothesis that long-range but not short-range calls will structurally differ across individuals. By conducting controlled video- and audio recordings in captivity, we associated calls to non-vocal behaviours in G. murinus and selected two call types (contact and aggressive calls) that clearly served long- and short-range communication respectively. In agreement with the distance-communication hypothesis, only contact but not aggressive calls differed significantly among subjects. Although we did not test the actual function of such variation, the latter provides a structural basis for the transmission of individual information. This is the first time this hypothesis is tested in a small non-volant mammal. Our study also provides the first description of acoustic behaviour in G. murinus.

Dispersal, niche, and isolation processes jointly explain species turnover patterns of nonvolant small mammals in a large mountainous region of China.

Understanding the mechanisms that govern the spatial patterns of species turnover (beta diversity) has been one of the fundamental issues in biogeography. Species turnover is generally recognized as strong in mountainous regions, but the way in which different processes (dispersal, niche, and isolation) have shaped the spatial turnover patterns in mountainous regions remains largely unexplored. Here, we explore the directional and elevational patterns of species turnover for nonvolant small mammals in the Hengduan Mountains of southwest China and distinguish the relative roles of geographic distance, environmental distance, and geographic isolation on the patterns. The spatial turnover was assessed using the halving distance (km), which was the geographic distance that halved the similarity (Jaccard similarity) from its initial value. The halving distance was calculated for the linear, logarithmic, and exponential regression models between Jaccard similarity and geographic distance. We found that the east-west turnover is generally faster than the south-north turnover for high-latitudinal regions in the Hengduan Mountains and that this pattern corresponds to the geographic structure of the major mountain ranges and rivers that mainly extend in a south-north direction. There is an increasing trend of turnover toward the higher-elevation zones. Most of the variation in the Jaccard similarity could be explained by the pure effect of geographic distance and the joint effects of geographic distance, environmental distance, and average elevation difference. Our study indicates that dispersal, niche, and isolation processes are all important determinants of the spatial turnover patterns of nonvolant small mammals in the Hengduan Mountains. The spatial configuration of the landscape and geographic isolation can strongly influence the rate of species turnover in mountainous regions at multiple spatial scales.

Novel Babesia and Hepatozoon agents infecting non-volant small mammals in the Brazilian Pantanal, with the first record of the tick Ornithodoros guaporensis in Brazil

Taking into account the diversity of small terrestrial mammals of the Pantanal, the present study aimed to verify the occurrence of infection by Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Rickettsia spp., Hepatozoon spp., Babesia spp. and parasitism by ticks in non-volant small mammals collected in the Brazilian Pantanal. Samples of blood, liver and spleen were collected from 64 captured animals, 22 marsupials and 42 rodents. Pathogen detection was performed by the use of genus-specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays. Ticks collected from the animals consisted of Amblyomma sculptum and Amblyomma triste nymphs, and Ornithodoros guaporensis larvae. None of the vertebrate samples (blood, liver, or spleen) yielded detectable DNA of Rickettsia spp. or Ehrlichia spp. The blood of the rodent Hylaeamys megacephalus yielded an Anaplasma sp. genotype (partial 16S rRNA gene) 99% similar to multiple Anaplasma spp. genotypes around the world. The blood of three rodents of the species Calomys callosus were positive for a novel Hepatozoon sp. agent, phylogenetically related (18S rDNA gene) to distinct Hepatozoon genotypes that have been detected in rodents from different parts of the world. One marsupial (Monodelphis domestica) and three rodents (Thrichomys pachyurus) were positive to novel piroplasmid genotypes, phylogenetically (18S rDNA gene) related to Theileria bicornis, Cytauxzoon manul, and Cytauxzoon felis. The present study provides the first molecular detection of Hepatozoon sp. and piroplasmids in small mammals in Brazil. Additionally, we expanded the distribution of O. guaporensis to Brazil, since this tick species was previously known to occur only in Bolivia.

RECURSOS ALIMENTARES NOS ESTRATOS VERTICAIS E SUA RELAÇÃO COM PEQUENOS MAMÍFEROS EM UMA FLORESTA DE ARAUCÁRIA DO SUL DO BRASIL

This study presents the relationship between the use of different layers by non-volant small mammals and the food resources availability in an Araucaria Forest area from southern Brazil. In this sense, 150 live traps were placed on the ground, understory and canopy. The availability of resources in the layers was evaluated by counting fruits, seeds and captured invertebrates. As a result, 10 species were recorded of non-volant small mammals. An inverse relationship was found between captures of: Akodon montensis and availability of fruits and seeds on the ground ( R = -0.95, P = 0.05); Juliomys sp. and invertebrates abundance in the canopy ( R = -0.96, P = 0.04); and Gracilinanus microtarsus and total food availability in the canopy ( R = -0.99, P = 0.008). The results suggest that in times of food scarcity, small mammals in the Araucaria Forest may need more time searching for food, increasing catch rates in the strata where they live.

Range extension of Oxymycterus wayku (Mammalia: Rodentia: Cricetidae), an endemic species from austral Yungas, and first record for Catamarca province, northwestern Argentina

Oxymycterus wayku Jayat, D’Elía, Pardinãs, Miotti &amp; Ortiz, 2008, a rodent species recently described, is known in only four localities within the Subtropical Mountain Forests of the Yungas eco-region in Tucumán, northwestern Argentina. Specimens were recorded in an owl pellet sample during a recent survey. This record represents the first for Oxymycterus in Catamarca Province, extending approximately 60 km south its southern distribution in the region. Sixteen other small non-volant mammal species were recorded there, turning this area into one of the most diverse for this understudied group in Argentina.

Conservation units in the core area of the Cerrado domain: an overview on the small nonvolant mammals (Rodentia and Didelphimorphia)

A review of small non-volant mammal species of the APA Gama e Cabeça de Veado was carried out, including new surveys in the ââ?¬Å?Estação Ecológica do Jardim Botânicoââ?¬Â (EEJBB) and ââ?¬Å?Reserva Ecológica do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatí­sticaââ?¬Â (REIBGE). Thirty-one small mammalââ?¬â?¢s species are registered for the APA Gama and Cabeça de Veado, including one exotic species. Didelphis albiventris, Hylaeamys megacephalus, and Oxymycterus delator were collected for the first time in EEJBB. The APA Gama-Cabeça de Veado has a central position in the Cerrado domain sharing six species with the Amazon domain, five with Atlantic Forest, and 13 with Caatinga. The APA Gama-Cabeça de Veado encompasses the home range of at least six non-volant small mammal species endemic of Cerrado domain, and it has an important role in the protection of these endemic species and species that occurs in those four South America morphoclimatic domains.

Trap efficiency evaluation for small mammals in the southern Amazon

The effectiveness of ecological researches on small mammals strongly depends on trapping techniques to survey communities and populations accurately. The main goal of this study was to assess the efficiency of three types of traps (Sherman, Tomahawk and Pitfall) to capture non-volant small mammals. We installed traps in 22 forest fragments in the southern Brazilian Amazonia. We captured 873 individuals belonging to 21 species; most of the individuals (N = 369) and species (N = 19) were trapped using Pitfalls, followed by Shermans (N = 271 individuals; N = 15 species) and Tomahawks (N = 233 individuals; N = 15 species). Pitfalls trapped a richer community subset of small mammals than the two other types of traps, and a more abundant community subset than Tomahawks. Proechimys sp. was the most abundant species trapped (N = 125) and Tomahawk was the most efficient type of trap to capture this species (N = 97 individuals). Neacomys spinosus and Marmosops bishopi were more trapped in Pitfalls (N = 92 and 100 individuals, respectively) than Shermans and Tomahawks. Monodelphis glirina was more trapped in Shermans and Pitfalls than Tomahawks. Species composition trapped using the three types of traps were distinct. Pitfalls captured a more distinct subset of the small mammal community than the two other live traps. We recommend the association of the three types of traps to reach a more comprehensive sampling of the community of small mammals. Thus, as stated by previous studies, we also recommend the complementary use of Shermans, Tomahawks and Pitfalls to account for a thorough sampling of the whole small mammal community in researches conducted in the tropical forests of Amazonia.

Phylogenetic and morphological relationships between nonvolant small mammals reveal assembly processes at different spatial scales.

The relative roles of historical processes, environmental filtering, and ecological interactions in the organization of species assemblages vary depending on the spatial scale. We evaluated the phylogenetic and morphological relationships between species and individuals (i.e., inter- and intraspecific variability) of Neotropical nonvolant small mammals coexisting in grassland-forest ecotones, in landscapes and in regions, that is, three different scales. We used a phylogenetic tree to infer evolutionary relationships, and morphological traits as indicators of performance and niche similarities between species and individuals. Subsequently, we applied phylogenetic and morphologic indexes of diversity and distance between species to evaluate small mammal assemblage structures on the three scales. The results indicated a repulsion pattern near forest edges, showing that phylogenetically similar species coexisted less often than expected by chance. The strategies for niche differentiation might explain the phylogenetic repulsion observed at the edge. Phylogenetic and morphological clustering in the grassland and at the forest interior indicated the coexistence of closely related and ecologically similar species and individuals. Coexistence patterns were similar whether species-trait values or individual values were used. At the landscape and regional scales, assemblages showed a predominant pattern of phylogenetic and morphological clustering. Environmental filters influenced the coexistence patterns at three scales, showing the importance of phylogenetically conserved ecological tolerances in enabling taxa co-occurrence. Evidence of phylogenetic repulsion in one region indicated that other processes beyond environmental filtering are important for community assembly at broad scales. Finally, ecological interactions and environmental filtering seemed important at the local scale, while environmental filtering and historical colonization seemed important for community assembly at broader scales.

Dynamics of species composition of small non-volant mammals from the northern Cordillera Central of Colombia

AbstractOn the basis of our recent fieldwork and historical records, we document the diversity of small non-volant mammals in the northern end of Cordillera Central of Colombia, an important region in the context of vertebrate biodiversity. From February 2004 to February 2006, we completed mammal surveys in three localities at the department of Antioquia, with elevations ranging from 1650 to 2000 m. We recorded a total of 14 species: three marsupials, one shrew, one heteromyid, and nine sigmodontinae rodents, including three species endemic in Cordillera Central. The rodents

Toxoplasma gondii in domestic and wild animals from forest fragments of the municipality of Natal, northeastern Brazil.

Toxoplasmosis stands out as a global disease that has felines as definitive hosts. In the municipality of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil, two parks are notable for their ecological and social importance. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Toxoplasma gondii in short hair cats, bats and small non-volant mammals in these two ecological reserves. Altogether, biological samples were obtained from 154 mammals, 92 wild animals from both areas and 62 domestic cats of the Parque da Cidade. In total, 22 (53.7%) non-volant wild mammals, 11 (21.5%) bats and 28 (52.8%) cats were positive for IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies using the Modified Agglutination Test (≥ 25). It was possible to detect the presence of T. gondii DNA, by means of a molecular amplification of a B1 gene fragment (155bp), in 92 tissue samples from wild animals, including Didelphis albiventris, Monodelphis domestica, Artibeus lituratus, Carollia perspicillata and Glossophaga soricina. Of the 62 cats examined by the same molecular method, T. gondii DNA could be detected in 4 cats. In this study, it was observed the circulation of T. gondii in wild species and domestic cats, demonstrating the involvement of wild and domestic animals in the cycle of T. gondii.

Taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships ofMarmosa agilis peruana Tate, 1931 (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), with comments on the morphological variation ofGracilinanusfrom central-western Brazil

The marsupials of the family Didelphidae went through profound taxonomic rearrangements in recent decades, mainly related to an increase in the number of specimens deposited in scientific collections and the inclusion of molecular data in systematic analyses, resulting in better resolved phylogenies and taxa delimitation. Analyses of a large series of the gracile mouse opossum Gracilinanus agilis, including types and complementary material, recovered specimens assignable to Marmosa agilis peruana Tate, 1931 as a monophyletic group that is diagnosable by unique morphological, morphometric and molecular datasets, meriting its recognition as a full species. Here we provide an emended diagnosis, description and comparisons with congeners for G. peruanus. The former species differs from the latter by the dull reddish dorsal pelage, smaller general size, position of the maxillary fenestrae, presence of accessory cusps in upper canines, and morphology of the alisphenoid tympanic process. It ranges from central Peru to central Bolivia and western Brazil in the states of Rondonia and northwestern Mato Grosso, where it occurs in sympatry with G. agilis. Many collecting localities lie in areas with high diversity of non-volant small mammals and accelerated deforestation processes, highlighting its importance in terms of biogeographic studies and conservation policies. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London

Connecting sustainable agriculture and wildlife conservation: Does shade coffee provide habitat for mammals?

Shade coffee systems provide a refuge for biodiversity; however, research has been dominated by bird and insect studies with few studies that have focused on mammals living within coffee-dominated landscapes. Relative to other taxa studied, only 5% of the articles published on coffee and biodiversity pertain to mammals. We surveyed non-volant mammals, with an emphasis on small mammals, in 3 coffee-forest landscapes in Costa Rica with a particular focus on forest, shade coffee, and sun coffee habitats. Each of the 3 sites contained a 500-×500-m trap grid that was sampled in 4 sessions, totaling 46 sampling nights per site. This novel approach allowed us to compare mammal abundance and richness on both a plot level and meso-landscape scale (radius 25, 50, 100, 150, 200m). We made 976 captures (501 individuals) and detected 17 small and medium mammal species during the seven-month study period. The abundance and richness of small non-volant mammals found in the shade coffee was not significantly different that of forest habitats embedded and adjacent to coffee. Both forest and shade coffee had significantly more species and higher abundances than sun coffee habitats. Within habitats, at the plot level, higher amounts of canopy cover and lower strata vegetation (i.e., weeds, grasses, plants, and understory shrubs from 5cm–1m tall) significantly increased small mammal abundance and richness. Within coffee habitats (sun and shade), greater amounts of canopy cover were significantly associated with higher small mammal abundance and richness. At the meso-landscape scale, small mammal density and richness significantly decreased with increasing proportion of sun coffee within the landscape and increased as the amount of shade coffee increased. Furthermore, small mammals thrived in areas adjacent to forest patches and as the proportion of forested areas within the landscape increased. Our study indicates that while there is no substitute for native forest, shade coffee provides habitat for small non-volant mammals, particularly in comparison to sun coffee. Based on our findings, we recommend including shade trees, maintaining high amounts of canopy cover, and retaining lower strata vegetation (5cm–1m) within coffee farms. We also recommend preserving or reestablishing forested areas embedded within the coffee landscape to enhance small mammal diversity. Shade coffee shows promise as a conservation strategy to promote wildlife conservation and protect mammalian biodiversity.

Nonvolant small mammals from a southwestern area of Brazilian Cerrado: diversity, habitat use, seasonality, and biogeography

Introduction. The Cerrado is characterized by a mosaic of habitats ranging from open grasslands to dense arboreal savannas and woodlands, with gallery forests along watercourses. Extensive areas of Cerrado have been gradually deforested in the last 50 years, currently only 20% of the biome still retains its original vegetation, and only 2.5% is preserved as permanent protected areas. Scientifi c knowledge of the Cerrado fauna, such as composition, natural history, and geographic distribution of its species is very important to conservation strategies. Nevertheless, most of the Cerrado still remains poorly sampled and studied. Although an increasing number of works have been published for Cerrado nonvolant small mammals in recent years, there are few studies dealing with biogeographic patterns for the biome. The objective of this study was to investigate the diversity of nonvolant small mammals and to determine the habitat use of the species encountered at Emas National Park - ENP, one of the most important reserves of the Cerrado biome, located in a region yet poorly known. Methodology. We sampled 28 different areas representing seven habitat types found in the ENP. Small mammals were surveyed during rainy and dry seasons with live and pitfall traps. The total effort was 10,664 trap-nights for live and 2,898 trap-nights for pitfall traps. The data analysis consisted of rarefaction curves, estimates of species richness, data on relative abundance, diversity and evenness indexes, as well as the faunal composition in each habitat type and in ENP in order to observe how the assemblage is characterized and distributed in the landscape to better understand the biogeography of this southwestern region in the Cerrado. Results. We recorded 23 species of marsupials and small rodents in ENP. The grass mouse Necromys lasiurus was the most abundant, with the majority of species being rare. More species and individuals were encountered during the rainy season, with gallery forests and arboreal dense savannas representing the richest habitats. The assemblage was composed by two species groups: one inhabiting the forests and the other the open areas. Species composition overlaps with those of adjacent biomes and other Cerrado regions, but we found endemic and southwestern restricted species, characterizing an assemblage most similar to the Pantanal and Chaco biomes. Discussion and conclusions: Previous studies in the Cerrado have shown a higher richness and abundance during the dry season. Our results could be explained by the higher abundance (reproduction period) and activity (abundance of resources) during the rainy season. The habitat selectivity results showed the great importance of canopy and humidity on the distribution of small mammals, with gallery forest being not the richest habitat in the region. The high richness also found in the savannas, although less stratifi ed vertically, may be a result of horizontal heterogeneity. Other biomes adjoin the Cerrado and infl uence its faunal composition; compared to the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest, the fauna of the present study showed greater similarity with the Amazon, contrary to prior studies. This pattern is mainly related to the presence of four taxa that occur in both the Amazon and Cerrado, but are replaced by sister groups in the Atlantic Rainforest. This study highlights the importance of this protected area, as it harbors a high richness of nonvolant small mammals, including endemic species and also species with restricted distributional ranges within the Cerrado, together with a unique faunal composition, characteristic of the southwestern portion of this biome.