The Role of Aridity and Isolation on Central Chilean Small Mammals: Response to the Criticisms of Meserve & Kelt

1990 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 685
Author(s):  
Cesar N. Caviedes
Keyword(s):  
1955 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 121-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. Buckner

The greatest predatory effect of small mammals is exerted upon insects that spend a portion of their life cycle on the ground or in the soil. Sawflies afford ample opportunity for mammalian predation, since they drop to the ground as mature larvae and spin cocoons in the soil. Such sawflies as Neodiprion abietis Harr., which remain within the cocoon for about three weeks, undergo only moderate risk of being preyed upon by small mammal. However, Pristiphora erichsonii (Htg.) remains within the cocoon from about mid-August until the following June, or even over more than one year, thus greatly extending the vulnerable period. Earlier investigations suggest that small mammals may comprise the largest single biological control agent acting against this insect (Graham 1928, Lejeune 1951), but the exact role of mammalian predators of forest insects has yet to be established.


2000 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Gilbert ◽  
L. D. Jones ◽  
P. J. Hudson ◽  
E. A. Gould ◽  
H. W. Reid

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-437
Author(s):  
Rafael Quirino Moreira ◽  
Vanessa Do Nascimento Ramos ◽  
Adriane Suzin ◽  
Diego Garcia Ramirez ◽  
Paulo Ricardo De Oliveira Roth ◽  
...  

We evaluated the role of communities of small mammals from three distinct areas in a region of Cerrado mixed with Atlantic Forest remains for maintenance of tick fauna. Thirty-nine marsupials (Gracilinanus agilis, n = 34; Marmosa paraguaiana, n = 4; Didelphis albiventris, n = 1) and 33 rodents (Oecomys cleberi, n = 10; Nectomys squamipes, n = 4; Calomys tener, n = 4; Hylaeamys megacephalus, n = 4; Akodon sp., n = 3; Rattus rattus, n = 3; Cerradomys subflavus, n = 2; Mus musculus, n = 2; Rhipidomys macrurus, n = 1) were captured. Solely G. agilis and the four rodent species (N. squamipes, R. macrurus, C. subflavus and Akodon sp.) were infested. Four tick species were collected (Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma sculptum, Ixodes loricatus and Ornithodoros mimon). A. dubitatum was the most abundant tick species on hosts. Capture success was higher in the dry season, but the infestation was similar in both seasons. Forested habitats, particularly riparian forests, resulted in higher number of hosts and ticks collected (from hosts and from vegetation), compared to pastures and anthropized sites. The association between C. subflavus and I. loricatus and between A. dubitatum and N. squamipes observed here is the first recorded in Cerrado biome. Areas with more patches of forest, including the Atlantic Forest fragments, tend to present a richest community of small mammals and associated ticks.


1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Boutin

Fluctuating populations of small mammals provide an excellent opportunity to study the functional and numerical responses of predators because of the wide range in prey density that occurs. I reinterpret data from six studies that have examined the role of predation in the population dynamics of voles in California, southern Sweden and western Finland, of snowshoe hares in northern Canada, and of house mice and rabbits in Australia. Most studies have measured functional responses by relying on changes in diet as reflected by scat or stomach contents. These methods are probably biased toward showing predator satiation. Contrary to previous conclusions I find that there is little evidence for non-linear (Type 111) functional-response curves or predator satiation at high prey densities. Recent studies indicate that the functional and numerical responses of predators can be rapid and strong enough to initiate cyclic declines, dampen fluctuations, or even cause stable numbers. The exception to this appears to be the irruptions of mice and rabbits in Australia. I propose a general explanation for the role of predation whereby the effect of predation is largely dependent on the entire prey community. When potentially cyclic prey are a small component of the overall prey biomass, generalist predators are able to prevent fluctuations by strong functional or numerical responses. As the prey community becomes dominated by a few species that fluctuate, limit cycles predominate. Limit cycles turn into irruptive population dynamics when seasonal prey reproduction is eliminated because of extended periods of vegetation growth (vegetation flushes following drought). In the future we must test assumptions underlying the way we study predation by telemetric monitoring of prey mortality and by experimentally manipulating predation.


Oikos ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madan K. Oli ◽  
F. Stephen Dobson

Hydrobiologia ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 251 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 81-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazimierz A. Dobrowolski ◽  
Anna Kozakiewicz ◽  
Barbara Leźnicka
Keyword(s):  

2007 ◽  
Vol 88 (6) ◽  
pp. 1532-1538 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Bryan Milstead ◽  
Peter L. Meserve ◽  
Andrea Campanella ◽  
M. Andrea Previtali ◽  
Douglas A. Kelt ◽  
...  

Ecography ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Kozakiewicz ◽  
Elzbieta Jurasinska
Keyword(s):  

1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henri Ouellet

The gray jay (Perisoreus canadensis) has been observed feeding on a variety of items ranging from several types of animal carcasses to axle grease and dried fruits. Other observations pertain to its predation on nests and young of several species of birds and on certain small mammals in the coniferous forest. It is suggested that this bird may be an important predator and scavenger, the rôle of which is still mostly undetermined.


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