The Disribution of Pseudomys shortridgei (Muridae : Rodentia ) and its Relevance to that of other Heathland Pseudomys

1978 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Cockburn
Keyword(s):  
Fire Regime ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Habitat Association ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Survey Technique ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Heath Communities ◽  
Small Mammal Species ◽  
Number Of Plant Species

Pseudomyine rodents today often show extremely restricted and disjunct distributions, yet evidence from subfossil deposits suggest these species were widely dispersed and abundant in Recent times. Previous explanations for this decline such as a widespread epidemic, climatic change, and competition with introduced rodents appear inadequate. A new survey technique was used to determine habitat preferences of small mammals in the Grampians region in western Victoria. The distribution of Pseudomys shovtvidgei was demonstrated to be principally confined to floristically rich treeless heath communities. This animal appeared to require the consistent presence within its habitat of a number of plant species, whose availability depends upon a specific fire regime. The habitat requirements of Pseudomys albocinereus and P. novaehollandiae are similar to those of P. shortridgei. Such close habitat association suggests that a change in vegetation may be catastrophic to the small mammal species. A relationship between the alteration and alienation of the Australian environment by European man, and the decline of the pseudomyines, is postulated.

scholarly journals Temporal variation in small nonvolant mammal (Cricetidae and Didelphidae) microhabitat associations in the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 663-681
Author(s):  
Robert Owen
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variation ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Interannual Variation ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest ◽  
Small Mammal Species

Many questions concerning habitat preferences of Neotropical small mammals remain unanswered. These questions include where the animal lives within and among the available habitats, and the temporal (seasonal and interannual) variation in the habitat associations. The objectives of this research were: (1) to determine the associations of non-volant small mammal species (Rodentia and Didelphimorphia) with specific microhabitat characteristics including vegetation structure in an area near the western boundary of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest, and (2) to evaluate seasonal and interannual variation in those associations. Three grids were sampled in three seasons (Dry, Wet, Variable) during two years (2015-2017). The four predominant small mammal species (Gracilinanus agilis, Akodon montensis, Hylaeamys megacephalus, and Oligoryzomys nigripes) were evaluated for seasonal and interannual variation in habitat preferences. Each of the four exhibited seasonal and/or interannual variation in microhabitat preferences for three to six of the 17 environmental variables analyzed. This is the first study to explicitly evaluate temporal variation in habitat associations of small mammals in the Atlantic Forest ecoregion. The temporal patterns of habitat association among these four predominant species reveal a complex spatially and temporally dynamic composition and structure in this small mammal community.

scholarly journals Abundance, relative home range and species - habitat association of small mammal species in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aenea Saanya ◽  
Rhodes Makundi ◽  
Loth Mulungu ◽  
Apia Massawe
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
National Park ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Habitat Association ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Riverine Forest ◽  
Small Mammal Species

Home ranges play an important role in the ecology of small mammals in understanding the driving factors for variations between species, including; mating patterns, foraging behavior and habitat use. We investigated the abundance, relative home ranges and species-habitat association of small mammal species in the Nyerere National Park. Two habitats; closed woodland and seasonal riverine forest were selected and in each habitat two grids of 70m x 70m were established. The Capture Mark Recapture technique was deployed. From July 2018 to June 2020 a total of 732 small mammal individuals belonging to 19 species were captured. Of the 19 species captured, 12 were rodents, 2 insectivores, 4 carnivores; and 1 primate. Acomys ngurui abundance was not statistically significant different between habitats (W = 220, df = 1, p = 0.144) and across seasons (F(2, 45) = 1.41, p = 0.2547)). While, Mastomys natalensis and Lemniscomys rosalia were statistically significant different (W = 407, p = 0.01 and W=430.5, p=0.002 respectively) between habitats and across seasons (F(2,45) = 4.352, p = 0.019 and F(2,45) = 6.321, p = 0.0038 respectively). Acomys ngurui had the largest mean home range size (1,087.58 m2) than L. rosalia (831.55 m2) and M. natalensis (166 m2) with overlaps being recorded in habitats and across seasons. Most small mammals were associated with seasonal riverine forest. We conclude that, small mammal species abundance and home ranges vary with habitats and seasons for individual species in the Nyerere National Park. We recommend to the management of the park to consider small mammals in their general management plan.

scholarly journals Mammal Species Richness at a Catena and Nearby Waterholes during a Drought, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 387
Author(s):  
Beanélri B. Janecke
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Feeding Guilds ◽  
Feeding Guild ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Seasonal Movement ◽  
Herbivore Species ◽  
Small Mammal Species

Catenas are undulating hillslopes on a granite geology characterised by different soil types that create an environmental gradient from crest to bottom. The main aim was to determine mammal species (>mongoose) present on one catenal slope and its waterholes and group them by feeding guild and body size. Species richness was highest at waterholes (21 species), followed by midslope (19) and sodic patch (16) on the catena. Small differences observed in species presence between zones and waterholes and between survey periods were not significant (p = 0.5267 and p = 0.9139). In total, 33 species were observed with camera traps: 18 herbivore species, 10 carnivores, two insectivores and three omnivores. Eight small mammal species, two dwarf antelopes, 11 medium, six large and six mega-sized mammals were observed. Some species might not have been recorded because of drought, seasonal movement or because they travelled outside the view of cameras. Mammal presence is determined by food availability and accessibility, space, competition, distance to water, habitat preferences, predators, body size, social behaviour, bound to territories, etc. The variety in body size and feeding guilds possibly indicates a functioning catenal ecosystem. This knowledge can be beneficial in monitoring and conservation of species in the park.

The Ecology of Pseudomys novaehollandiae (Waterhouse, 1843)

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 233 ◽  
Author(s):  
BA Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Population Ecology ◽  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Floristic Diversity ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Patchy Distribution ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Open Forest ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Small Mammal Species

The distribution, habitat preferences and population ecology of Pseudomys novaehollandiae in the Eastern Otways, Victoria, were studied from 1985 to 1989. The species has a patchy distribution and was captured at only four sites in heathy woodland-open forest. The population density of the species was low (0-3.1 ha-1) and the breeding season was from spring to summer. The vegetation on two trapping grids was classified into five floristic groups. Four small mammal species (Rattus lutreolus, Antechinus stuartii, Mus musculus and P. novaehollandiae) exhibited preferences for different floristic groups. There was evidence that P. novaehollandiae interacted, or competed, with M. musculus in one floristic group. Pseudomys novaehollandiae preferred two floristic groups which had high floristic diversity. Within these groups the species was associated with low dense vegetation cover. The decline of populations of P. novaehollandiae in this study is likely to be related to post-fire successional changes in the vegetation: either to loss of plant species diversity, or to loss of particular species or to low vegetation cover. Strategic burning of small areas within the preferred floristic vegetation is recommended to maintain a mosaic of suitable successional ages for the conservation of this endangered species.

Long-term stress level in a small mammal species undergoing range expansion

Mammalia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrien André ◽  
Johan Michaux ◽  
Jorge Gaitan ◽  
Virginie Millien
Keyword(s):  
Stress Level ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Range Expansion ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Distribution Ranges ◽  
Northern Edge ◽  
Small Mammal Species ◽  
White Footed Mouse

Abstract Rapid climate change is currently altering species distribution ranges. Evaluating the long-term stress level in wild species undergoing range expansion may help better understanding how species cope with the changing environment. Here, we focused on the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), a widespread small mammal species in North-America whose distribution range is rapidly shifting northward. We evaluated long-term stress level in several populations of P. leucopus in Quebec (Canada), from the northern edge of the species distribution to more core populations in Southern Quebec. We first tested the hypothesis that populations at the range margin are under higher stress than more established populations in the southern region of our study area. We then compared four measures of long-term stress level to evaluate the congruence between these commonly used methods. We did not detect any significant geographical trend in stress level across our study populations of P. leucopus. Most notably, we found no clear congruence between the four measures of stress level we used, and conclude that these four commonly used methods are not equivalent, thereby not comparable across studies.

Response of wildlife to forest herbicide applications in northern coniferous ecosystems

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 2286-2299 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A. Lautenschlager
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammal ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Disturbed Areas ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Small Mammal Species ◽  
Coniferous Ecosystems

Reviewed studies of the effects of forest herbicide applications on wildlife often lacked replication, pretreatment information, and (or) were conducted for only one or two growing seasons after treatment. Because of these problems, as well as the use of dissimilar sampling techniques, study conclusions have sometimes been contradictory. A review of eight studies of the effects of herbicide treatments on northern songbird populations in regenerating clearcuts indicates that total songbird populations are seldom reduced during the growing season after treatment. Densities of species that use early successional brushy, deciduous cover are sometimes reduced, while densities of species which commonly use more open areas, sometimes increase. A review of 14 studies of the effects of herbicide treatments on small mammals indicates that like songbirds, small mammal responses are species specific. Some species are unaffected, while some select and others avoid herbicide-treated areas. Only studies that use kill or removal trapping to study small mammal responses show density reductions associated with herbicide treatment. It seems that some small mammal species may be reluctant to venture into disturbed areas, although residents in those areas are apparently not affected by the disturbance. Fourteen relevant studies examined the effects of conifer release treatments on moose and deer foods and habitat use. Conifer release treatments reduce the availability of moose browse for as long as four growing seasons after treatment. The degree of reduction during the growing season after treatment varies with the herbicide and rate used. Deer use of treated areas remains unchanged or increases during the first growing season after treatment. Eight years after treating a naturally regenerated spruce–fir stand browse was three to seven times more abundant on treated than on control plots (depending on the chemical and rate used). Forage quality (nitrogen, ash, and moisture) of crop trees increased one growing season after the soil-active herbicide simazine was applied to control competition around outplanted 3-year-old balsam fir seedlings.

Habitat requirements and distribution of Engaeus cisternarius and three subspecies of Parastacoides tasmanicus (Decapoda : Parastacidae), burrowing crayfish from an area of south-western Tasmania

1980 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 475 ◽  
Author(s):  
AMM Richardson ◽  
R Swain
Keyword(s):  
Small Area ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Sandy Soils ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
River Valley ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Intensive Study ◽  
Extensive Survey ◽  
South West ◽  
Waterlogged Soils

During an extensive survey of the crayfish fauna of the lower catchments of the Gordon River, south-western Tasmania. two species of crayfish were collected: Engaeus cisternarius and three subspecies of Parastacoides tasmanicus (P. t. tasmanicus, P. t. inermis and P. t. insignis). From this survey and an intensive study in a small area of the Olga River valley, distinct habitat preferences of each of the forms were recognized. E. cisteinavius was restricted to the areas north and west of the Gordon River where it was found only in clay and sandy soils under rainforest. P. t. tasmanicus was found in waterlogged soils, peats and sands on valley floors covered either with wet sedgeland or rainforest. P. t. inermis was found in two disjunct habitats: well- drained slopes and hillsides covered in heath vegetation. and under rocks in small creeks in rainforests. P. t. insignis occupied an intermediate habitat between P. t. tasmanicus and the non-creek dwelling, P. t. inermis, but was restricted geographically to the extreme south-west of the study area. The taxonomic status of the P. tasmanicus subspecies is discussed.

An attempt to determine the size of the Common Barn-owl’s (Tyto alba) hunting area based on its prey composition

2021 ◽  
pp. 175815592110660
Author(s):  
Jenő J Purger ◽  
Dávid Szép
Keyword(s):  
Functional Groups ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Barn Owl ◽  
Tyto Alba ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Open Forest ◽  
Prey Composition ◽  
Small Mammal Species ◽  
Owl Pellets

The relative abundance of small mammal species detected from Common Barn-owl pellets reflects the landscape structure and habitat pattern of the owl’s hunting area, but it is also affected by the size of the collected pellet sample and the size of the supposed hunting area. The questions arise: how many pellets should be collected and analyzed as well as how large hunting area should be taken into consideration in order to reach the best correspondence between the owl’s prey composition and the distribution of habitats preferred by small mammals preyed in supposed hunting areas? For this study, we collected 1045 Common Barn-owl pellets in a village in southern Hungary. All detected small mammal species were classified into functional groups (guilds) preferring urban, open, forest and wetland habitats. The proportion of functional groups was compared to the proportion of these habitats around the pellet collection site within circles of one, two, and three km radius. Saturation curves showed that at least 300 pellets or ca. 600 mammalian remains are required for the detection of the 19 small mammal species. The share of small mammals detected in the prey and their functional groups according to their habitat preference showed an increasing consistency with the distribution of real habitats in the potential hunting area of a radius of 3 km around the owl’s breeding or resting place.

scholarly journals Flea Communities on Small Mammals in Lowland Environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Baláž ◽  
Martina Zigová
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Blood Sucking ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Small Mammal Species

AbstractThe landscape of south-western Slovakia is characterised by anthropogenous reshaping, while fragments of undisturbed, waterlogged habitats have been preserved in what remains of the meandering ancient Žitava River. These refuges are inhabited by various small mammal species and their blood-sucking ectoparasites. Between 2014 and 2018, research on them was carried out in Slovakia’s Danubian Lowland (Podunajská nížina) during three out of the four seasons (spring, summer and autumn). The small mammals were captured at 27 localities. The occurrence of nine flee species from the Hystrichopsyllidae, Ctenophthalmidae and Ceratophyllidae families was documented on 12 small burrowing mammals. During the course of all the seasons in which research was conducted, Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, C. assimilis, Megabothris turbidus a Nosopsyllus fasciatus were found, among the most dominant species to be seen on small burrowing mammals.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document