Small-mammal diversity and abundance in a French Guianan rain forest: test of sampling procedures using species rarefaction curves

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-F. Mauffrey ◽  
C. Steiner ◽  
F. M. Catzeflis
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Exponential Dependence ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Rarefaction Curves ◽  
Sampling Procedures ◽  
A Site ◽  
Mammal Diversity

Neotropical species richness is often estimated using accumulation or rarefaction curves and extrapolations based on various methods, but the efficacy of these methods is rarely tested. We used both a time-limited trapping session and previous knowledge of the mammal fauna from a site in French Guiana to validate these different methods. Three currently used extrapolation models were tested on our data. In a 2.5-mo trapping period we caught 75 individuals representing 18 small non-volant mammal species in three different habitats. We found that for comparable trapping efforts, village edges presented a higher abundance and species richness than primary and secondary forests. Species richness extrapolations using current models demonstrated that the exponential dependence model fits the known diversity of the site better, although this model is usually applied to large geographic areas and to relatively poorly documented taxa. Both Clench equation and linear dependence models underestimate small-mammal species richness in our study. We finally emphasize the interest of sampling in such edges surrounded by either primary or secondary forest, to maximize the probability of trapping rare species.

A comparison of ground-dwelling small mammal communities in primary and secondary tropical rainforests in China

1996 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
De-Lin Wu ◽  
Jia Luo ◽  
Barry J. Fox
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammal ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Mantel Test ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Small Mammal Communities ◽  
Mammal Communities

ABSTRACTTrapping was conducted in primary and secondary forests to investigate the effects of past logging on small mammal communities. Thirteen I-ha sites were snap-trapped for three consecutive days in tropical monsoon rainforest in Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve, southern China. A total of 3900 trap-days yielded 198 captures, of which 118 were in the primary forest and 80 in the secondary forest. A total of 12 ground-dwelling species (eight Rodentia, Muridae; three Insectivora, Soricidae; one Insectivora, Erinaceidae) were caught, five (all Rodentia, Muridae) occurred in the primary forest and 11 in the secondary forest. The most abundant species was Niviventer confucianus, accounting for 62% and 39% of the total captures in the primary and the secondary forests, respectively. In the secondary forest the mean abundances of the two dominant species, N. confucianus and Maxomys surifer, were reduced, and a non-commensal form of Rattus rattus disappeared, but N. fulvescens showed no change while Mus pahari increased. The seven species which occurred only in secondary forest had very low abundance. Overall, the multivariate Mantel test showed the two communities to be significantly different. After logging, species diversity increased, and the two dominant species had increased body mass and their mean abundance decreased.

scholarly journals Edge effects and landscape matrix use by a small mammal community in fragments of semideciduous submontane forest in Mato Grosso, Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 703-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Santos-Filho ◽  
DJ. da Silva ◽  
TM. Sanaiotti
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Species Accumulation Curves ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Species Accumulation ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance

A community of small mammals was studied in seasonal semideciduous submontane forest in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. This study evaluated the use of edge and matrix pasture, by different small mammal species. Overall, 31 areas were studied, with a total sampling effort of 33,800 trap x nights. Only seven of the 25 species captured in the study sites were able to use the pasture matrix; we classified these species as generalists. Fourteen species were found to be intermediate in habits, being able to use forest edges. We found only four species habitat specialists, occurring only on transect lines in the interior of the fragment, at least 150 m from the edge. Transects located in the pasture matrix and 50 m from the edge had significantly lower species richness and abundance than transects located in the fragment edge or in the interior of the fragment. All transects located within the fragment had similar species richness and abundance, but transects located 50 m from the edge had slightly lower, but non-significant, species richness than transects located 100 m apart from edges. Rarefaction curves demonstrated that only medium-sized fragments (100 300 ha) reached an asymptote of species accumulation. The other areas require further sampling, or more sampling transect, before species accumulation curves stabilize, due to a continued increase in species number.

scholarly journals Diversidad de aves en fragmentos de bosque seco tropical en paisajes ganaderos del Departamento de Córdoba, Colombia

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 1625
Author(s):  
Jose Alejandro Vergara Paternina ◽  
Jesús Ballesteros Correa ◽  
Carlos González Charrasquiel ◽  
Juan C. Linares Arias
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Tropical Dry Forest ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Shannon Index ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Bird Diversity ◽  
Secondary Forests

In Colombia the tropical dry forest is one of the most threatened and least known ecosystems; these have been impacted by different transformation processes and habitat fragmentation, which have affected bird conditions and survival. This research evaluated the influence of landscape elements (forest and pastures with different tree covers) on bird diversity in the tropical dry forest of Córdoba, Colombia. The study was developed within an extensive livestock landscape to characterize the avifauna in four habitat types formed by fragments of secondary forests with different tree cover: secondary forest, pastures with high tree cover, pastures with low tree cover and only pastures. The influence of tree cover on bird diversity was evaluated with monthly samplings in 200 m long transects (per habitat), with two observation intervals (6:00 - 9:00 and 15:00-18:00), from September 2011 to May 2012. A total of 6 667 individuals belonging to 180 species and 48 families of birds were registered. The most abundant species were Columbina talpacoti (5.37 %), Brotogeris jugularis (5.14 %), Tyrannus melancholicus (4.81 %) and Bubulcus ibis (4.80 %). The most abundant family was Tyrannidae (16.4 %), followed by Psitacidae (9.0 %) and Columbidae (8.2 %). The family with the highest number of species was Tyrannidae with 28 species, followed by Accipitridae and Icteridae with 10 species each. The greatest species richness was present in the secondary forest habitat, followed by the pastures with high tree cover, and pastures with low cover. The lowest abundance and species richness was found in pastures without tree cover with significant differences between the habitats (Fisher, p <0.05). According to the Shannon index, the diversity of birds was higher in the secondary forests. In contrast, the lowest diversity was found in pastures without tree cover. The greatest species richness occurred in the months of October and November. In the rest of the sampling period, the number of recorded species and individuals showed some stability. The importance of trees presence in extensive livestock areas was evidenced because they help to contain an important diversity of bird species, and they also generate connectivity among fragments of secondary forests in the cattle landscape.

The scientific, financial and ethical implications of three common wildlife-trapping designs

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen P. Waudby ◽  
Sophie Petit ◽  
Matthew J. Gill
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Capture Rate ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Small Mammal Species ◽  
Capture Rates

Abstract ContextTrapping design influences information collected about wildlife populations and biodiversity. Trapping is also resource-intensive and has animal welfare implications. AimsThe scientific, financial and ethical performances of three trap designs were compared for estimating diversity and sampling small vertebrates. MethodsSmall vertebrates were trapped over 16 trapping sessions, from April 2009 to May 2011, with aluminium box-style (Elliott) traps and two pitfall trap designs (shallow–wide and deep–narrow), in an arid environment. Key resultsShallow pitfalls recorded highest overall species richness (S=22) and diversity (qD=10.622), reptile diversity (qD=8.112) and reptile capture rates (13.600 individuals per 100 trap nights). Shallow and deep pitfalls sampled ~79.0% and 85.0% (respectively) more small mammals than did Elliott traps. Deep pitfalls sampled the greatest diversity (qD=6.017) and number (29.700 individuals per 100 trap nights) of small mammals, and captured the greatest number of small mammal species (0.003) and individuals (0.106) per dollar. Shallow pitfalls were the most cost-efficient trap type for sampling reptile species (0.003) and individuals (0.044) per dollar. Between-session recapture rates were greatest in Elliott traps, indicating an increased likelihood of biased capture rates for certain small mammal species over time. Elliott traps were the least efficient traps on most scientific and cost measures, and recorded the greatest overall recapture rates, particularly for Sminthopsis crassicaudata and S. macroura. Body size of one species only, the nationally threatened Pseudomys australis, influenced its capture rate, with larger individuals more likely to be caught in deep pitfalls. Mortality was highest in pitfalls and mostly related to interactions between animals caught in the same trap. Key conclusionsShallow pitfalls are suitable for studies focused on estimating species richness, and reptile diversity and abundance. Deep pitfalls are cost-effective for sampling small mammals. Ethical issues associated with pitfalls could be managed by checking traps more often at night, and/or including materials that provide increased protection from predators caught in the same trap, particularly during periods of high abundance. ImplicationsTrap design profoundly influences cost-effectiveness and welfare outcomes of wildlife research. We provide a tool to assist cost-benefit related decisions.

Analysis of temporal variation in the diversity of a small mammal community

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1106-1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Asher ◽  
V. G. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Temporal Variation ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Single Sample ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Sample Surveys ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Mammal Diversity

The validity of using single-sample surveys to measure small mammal diversity was assessed by measuring the effect of short-term, temporal variation in species diversity on the spatial diversity of small mammals occupying fencerow habitats. The diversity of small mammals varied seasonally. Interaction between changes in richness and evenness accounted for the temporal variation in diversity. Temporal variation was attributed to the response of the small mammals to seasonal changes in the vegetation, to the fluctuation in meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) captures among seasons, and to the appearance of small numbers of several mammal species during the summer. Significant spatial variation in species diversity existed, but was masked by the effect of seasonal changes in habitat on the small mammals. Erroneous conclusions could therefore be drawn from the pooling of many single-sample surveys of small mammal diversity.

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