The helminth parasites of some small mammal communities. I. The parasites and their hosts

Parasitology ◽  
1964 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. I. Sharpe

1. A method of trapping small mammals has been described and Apodemus sylvaticus, Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus agrestis and Sorex araneus were captured. The method of trapping has been discussed.2. A survey of the endoparasites found in the four host species has been produced. The two more common hosts and four of their parasites have been chosen for more detailed study.3. The infection levels of the parasites in the two hosts have been calculated and compared with other published data.This work was carried out during the tenure of a Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Studentship. My thanks are due to Dr H. D. Crofton for his very helpful supervision and criticism and to Professor J. E. Harris, F.R.S., in whose department this work was done, for the facilities provided.

Beskydy ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-134
Author(s):  
L. Čepelka ◽  
J. Suchomel ◽  
L. Purchart ◽  
M. Heroldová

Small mammal communities were studies in tree plantations in 2007-2011. The monitoring was conducted at 18 plots in the Jeseníky Mts. and 18 plots in the Beskydy Mts. using snap traps placed in lines. A total of 588 individuals of 10 species were captured in the Jeseníky Mts. and 577 individuals of 13 species in the Beskydy Mts. The Beskydy lot encompassed 5 insectivorous species and 8 rodent species, 4 of them eudominant (Apodemus flavicollis, D=43.33 %; Clethrionomys glareolus, D=21.49 %; Microtus agrestis, D=18.54 %; and Sorex araneus, D=10.05 %), one subdominant (Apodemus sylvaticus, D=2.77 %), two recedent (Microtus arvalis, D=1.39 %; Muscardinus avellanarius, D=1.04 %) and six sub-recedent (Microtus subterraneus and Sorex minutus: D=0.35 % and Apodemus agrarius, Neomys anomalus, Sorex alpinus and Talpa europea: D=0.17 %). The occurrence of 3 insectivorous species and 7 rodent species was confirmed in the Jeseníky Mts. Four species were eudominant (A. flavicollis, D=30.1 %; Clethrionomys glareolus, D=27.04 %; Microtus agrestis, D=24.49 %; and S. araneus, D=12.59 %), one species subdominant (Microtus arvalis; D=3.57 %), five species sub-recedent (A. sylvaticus, D=0.68 %; Crocidura suaveolens and Microtus subterraneus: D=0.34 %, Muscardinus avellanarius and S. minutus: D=0.17 %). According to the employed indexes, the total biodiversity was slightly higher in the Jeseníky Mts. (H=1.53; d=0.76; E=0.66) than in the Beskydy Mts. (H=1.52; d=0.72; E=0.59). The structure of the small mammal communities was strongly affected by the herb layer composition.


1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 970-980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur M. Martell

Changes in small mammal communities following logging were monitored in clear-cut and strip-cut upland black spruce (Picea mariana) stands and in selectively cut mixed wood stands in north-central Ontario. Clear-cutting and subsequent scarification essentially eliminated the vegetative cover. Much of the ground cover recovered within 5 years and shrubs within 12 years, but mosses and lichens took much longer. The small mammal community in both clear-cut and strip-cut stands changed over the first three years after logging from one dominated by southern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi) to one dominated by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and then remained relatively stable for up to 13 years after harvest. That shift was not apparent in selectively cut mixed wood stands where the composition of the small mammal community was similar between uncut stands and stands 4–23 years after harvest. There was relatively little change in total numbers of small mammals after logging. In general, the diversity and evenness of small mammals increased or remained stable in the first 1–3 years following harvest, decreased on older (3–16 years) cuts, and then increased to values similar to those in uncut stands on the oldest (19–23 years) cuts.


Author(s):  
Jon Forde ◽  
Norman Sloan

Specifically, the objectives of this research project were to: 1) Census burned and unburned grassland areas for breeding populations of birds and small mammals. Population censuses have been made on areas prescribed burned between 1973 and 1978 as well as the areas burned in the spring of 1981; 2) Analyze study transect vegetation to determine the impact of burning treatments on prairie vegetation and its relationship to bird and small mammal densities; 3) Provide usable management recommendations that will aid not only in vegetation maintenance but also with the animal populations associated with the grasslands.


2017 ◽  
Vol 141 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 557-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef Suchomel ◽  
Jan Zejda ◽  
Pavel Hadaš ◽  
Marta Heroldová

Changes of the moisture regime and its influence on the dominance of selected species of small mammal communities were studied in floodplain forests in southern Moravia (river Dyje). In period of typical floodplain regime characterized by groundwater table fluctuation (1968–1972, with high groundwater table level or floods in spring) dominance of Apodemus flavicollis (Mel.) was 42%, Myodes glareolus (Schreb.) 33% and Sorex araneus L. 15% of the total small mammal communities. In period 1982–1987 after cessation of floods by river regulation, rapid groundwater drop and changes in the herb layer, the dominance of Apodemus flavicollis and Myodes glareolus increased. Also the dominance of Apodemus sylvaticus (L.) increased, but that of Sorex araneus collapsed. Further revitalization measures were applied by systems of channels supplying the water to root system of forest trees but not to the herb layer. In 2002–2006 decreasing moisture condition further influenced the dominance of Apodemus flavicollis reaching mean dominance 62%, Myodes glareolus dominance decreased to 20% and that of Sorex araneus remain to be low. All estimated changes were correlated with moisture regime changes and were significant. Thus the changes in the forest moisture regime significantly affect the community of small terrestrial mammals.


Author(s):  
Eric Adjei Lawer ◽  
Anne-Christine Mupepele ◽  
Alexandra-Maria Klein

AbstractLogging and mining are widespread in most West African countries and considering their socio-economic importance, little is known about their ecological impacts. In this study, we investigated the effects of chainsaw milling (logging) and artisanal mining on terrestrial small mammal communities in a tropical forest in Ghana. For this, we compared abundance, diversity measures and community composition of small mammals active at the forest floor in logged, mined and undisturbed forest sites. We found that abundance was higher in logged and undisturbed forest sites than in mined sites. Small mammal species richness, Shannon diversity and Pielou’s evenness did not differ significantly among the three forest disturbance categories. Community composition of small mammals varied between mined and undisturbed sites as well as between mined and logged sites, suggesting differential species responses to altered environments. This may be due to the presence of pits in mined forest sites, hence a reduction in exploitable ground habitat structures for shelter, nesting or food. Overall, our results suggest that artisanal mining has strong impacts on community composition of forest floor small mammals in tropical forests while the effect of logging by chainsaw milling activities is minimal, especially when practiced at low intensity. This effect was moderated by elevation and distance to streams that equally shaped small mammal communities. More research on the effects of specific forms of logging and mining activities on small mammals are urgently needed to better protect species in forests impacted by logging and mining.


Author(s):  
E.M. Luchnikova ◽  
◽  
V.B. Ilyashenko ◽  
N.S. Teplova ◽  
A.V Kovalevskiy ◽  
...  

The paper is devoted to studying the influence of agricultural lands on the formation of small mammal communities in the pine forests of the Tom River Valley. For the analysis, we took sites of natural and artificial pine forests of different areas experiencing various anthropogenic pressures. A relationship was found between the size of the pine forest and its resistance to invasive species. The creation of artificial pine forests in the forest-steppe does not lead to the formation of typical forest communities of small mammals, due to their limited ability to resettle.


Author(s):  
R. Moore ◽  
M. Wood

As part of the National Park Service's goal of maintaining an area in as natural condition as possible, Yellowstone National Park in 1972 developed a fire policy whereby natural fires were allowed to burn in wilderness areas of the park. Several investigators have studied the relationship between small mammals and fire due to timber management practices (Gashwiler, 1970 and Tevis, 1956) but few studies have investigated the changes in abundance and composition of species of small mammals after recent natural fires (Bendell 1974). The purpose of this ongoing study is to quantify the effects that recent natural fires have had upon small mammal communities. Two burn sites were studies, the Divide fire which burned in 1976 on the south arm of Yellowstone Lake, and the Trail Creek Fire which burned in 1974 on the southeast arm of the lake.


2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-86
Author(s):  
Grzegorz LESIŃSKI ◽  
◽  
Przemysław STOLARZ ◽  
Jakub GRYZ ◽  
Radosław DĄBROWSKI ◽  
...  

The diet of three owl species was analysed in 32 sites localised in the Masovian Landscape Park and its outskirts to determine the structure of small mammal communities. Study was done in the years 1993–2016, 5,728 vertebrate prey (including 4,001 mammals) were collected. Five species of soricomorphs, six bats, 14 rodents and one species of Carnivora were found. Among mammals, Myodes glareolus had the greatest share in the diet of Strix aluco. Tyto alba most frequently caught Microtus arvalis and Sorex araneus, while Asio otus – M. arvalis and M. oeconomus. Those prey, together with Apodemus flavicollis and A. agrarius, dominated in small mammal communities. One site of Crocidura leucodon was found on the western edge of its range in Poland. The share of bats in the diet of S. aluco was small (0.5% of mammals), Plecotus auritus was most frequent. Muscardinus avellanarius was found in forests of the southern part of the Masovian Landscape Park. It was relatively often caught by S. aluco in favourable habitats. Shares of M. oeconomus, M. agrestis and M. avellanarius in the diet of owls were significantly higher in southern part of the study area remote from Warsaw.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linas Balčiauskas ◽  
Laima Balčiauskienė ◽  
Vitalijus Stirkė

Small mammals are not only pests but also an important part of agricultural ecosystems. The common vole is a reference species for risk assessment of plant protection products in the European Union, but no data about the suitability of the species in the Baltic countries are present so far. Using the snap-trap line method, we evaluated species composition, abundance, and diversity of small mammal communities in commercial orchards and berry plantations in Lithuania, testing the predictions that (i) compared with other habitats, small mammal diversity in fruit farms is low, and (ii) the common vole is the dominant species. The diversity of small mammals was compared with control habitats and the results of investigations in other habitats. Out of ten small mammal species registered, the most dominant were common vole and striped field mouse. Small mammal diversity and abundance increased in autumn and decreased in line with the intensity of agricultural practices but were not dependent on crop type. In the most intensively cultivated fruit farms, small mammals were not found. The diversity of small mammal communities in fruit farms was significantly higher than in crop fields and exceeded the diversities found in most types of forests except those in rapid succession.


Parasitology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 512-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHANNA S. SALZER ◽  
DARIN S. CARROLL ◽  
AMANDA JO WILLIAMS-NEWKIRK ◽  
STEFANIE LANG ◽  
JULIAN KERBIS PETERHANS ◽  
...  

SUMMARYHabitat disturbance often results in alterations in community structure of small mammals. Additionally, the parasites harboured by these small mammals may be impacted by environmental changes or indirectly affected by changes in available hosts. To improve our understanding of this interplay, we examined the patterns of parasitism in small mammal communities from a variety of habitats in forested Uganda. Small mammals were collected from areas experiencing variable habitat disturbance, host density and species richness. The analysis focused on 3 most abundant rodent species, Lophuromys aquilus, Praomys jacksoni and Hylomyscus stella, and a diverse group of parasites they harbour. The impact of various habitat and host community factors on parasite prevalence was examined using linear regression and Spearman's rank-order correlation. We further investigated the parasite communities associated with each individual using correspondence analysis. We determined that, parasite prevalence and richness may be occasionally influenced by community and habitat factors, but taxonomy is a driving force in influencing the parasite community harboured by an individual host. Ultimately, applying general principles across a broad range of disturbance levels and diverse host communities needs to be approached with caution in complex communities.


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