Long-term benefits and short-term costs: small vertebrate responses to predator exclusion and native mammal reintroductions in south-western New South Wales, Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 570
Author(s):  
David A. Roshier ◽  
Felicity L Hotellier ◽  
Andrew Carter ◽  
Leah Kemp ◽  
Joanne Potts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽  
Introduced Herbivores ◽  
Introduced Predators ◽  
Predator Exclusion ◽  
Small Vertebrate

Abstract ContextThe success of conservation fences at protecting reintroduced populations of threatened mammals from introduced predators has prompted an increase in the number and extent of fenced exclosures. Excluding introduced species from within conservation fences could also benefit components of insitu faunal assemblages that are prey for introduced predators, such as reptiles and small mammals. Conversely, reintroduced mammals may compete with smaller mammals and reptiles for resources, or even prey on them. AimsIn a 10-year study from 2008, we examine how small terrestrial vertebrates respond to the exclusion of introduced predators, the feral cat (Felis catus) and red fox (Vulpes Vulpes), introduced herbivores and the reintroduction of regionally extinct mammal species. MethodsDifferences in the yearly relative abundance of reptiles and mammals according to habitat type and whether sites were fenced or not, were tested using multivariate generalised linear models. Next, we calculated univariate P-values to identify individual species that showed significant relationships, positive and negative, with any of the explanatory variables. Key resultsTotal captures of reptiles were lower inside the conservation fence in all years, whereas total captures of small mammals were markedly higher inside the fenced area, notably in dasyurids. ConclusionOur results showed that conservation fences can deliver benefits for some fauna (but not all) beyond facilitating the reintroduction of highly threatened mammals. ImplicationsOur results demonstrated the consequential impacts of introduced predators on the Australian small mammal fauna, and showed that predator-exclusion fences can be an effective conservation intervention for this guild.

Effects of landscape type and extensive management on use of motorway roadsides by small mammals

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis D Meunier ◽  
Johanna Corbin ◽  
Christophe Verheyden ◽  
Pierre Jouventin
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Common Vole ◽  
Wood Mouse ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Landscape Matrix ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Landscape Type ◽  
Population Peak ◽  
Relative Abundances

We compared the relative abundances of small mammals along extensively managed motorway roadsides (with a narrow mown strip adjacent to the roadway) in three distinct landscapes (garrigue, pine plantation, and intensive farmland), to evaluate the relative effects of management and landscape traversed on roadside small-mammal populations. In each landscape, the landscape matrix (adjacent habitats), the mown strip, and the intervening unmown strip of roadside were sampled using snap traps. The roadside communities differed from those of landscape matrices, both in the relative abundances of individual species and in the proportion of each species captured. Species richness was greater on roadsides than in cropland and pine plantations, but there was no difference in the garrigue landscape. However, this greater richness was due to species that were rarely caught. The three dominant species (93.7% of captures), greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula), wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), and common vole (Microtus arvalis), were generally more abundant on roadsides than in the landscape matrices, especially in the unmown strip in the case of the first two species. Voles showed seasonal variation, being more abundant in mown strips at the population peak. The ecotone attributes of extensively managed motorway roadsides seem to be favourable to most small-mammal species, regardless of the landscape matrix.

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.

Factors affecting pitfall capture rates of small ground vertebrates in arid South Australia. II. Optimum pitfall trapping effort

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. Moseby ◽  
J. L. Read
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Type ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Trapping Efficiency ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽  
Reptile Species ◽  
Capture Rates ◽  
Olympic Dam

Pitfall trapping is widely used for sampling small terrestrial vertebrates. This study investigated the influence of trapping period, number of trap sites and drift fences on the capture rates of small vertebrates in order to ascertain optimum pitfall trapping efficiency. Capture rates at fenced pits were five times higher than at unfenced pits. Our study indicates that one fenced site established in chenopod shrubland in the Olympic Dam region and trapped for four nights yielded less than one third of the local chenopod shrubland reptile inventory. Capture rates of reptiles at Olympic Dam in arid South Australia were significantly higher on the first three nights of trapping than on the seven subsequent nights. The most efficient number of trap nights for maximising the number of reptile species captured was five nights. Trapping only a single pitfall site per habitat type for 5 nights captured approximately 30% of the reptile species in that habitat compared with 55%, 65% and 73% for three, five and ten sites respectively. Typically, approximately 70% of the reptile species in chenopod shrubland were captured by trapping 5 sites for 7 nights, a method recommended for thorough surveys of species present in chenopod shrublands. Captures of mammals were more variable than those of reptiles and, as a result, sampling of mammal species benefited from more trapping nights than did sampling of reptiles. New mammal species continued to be recorded at a high rate for 8 nights and even 10 sites trapped for 10 nights typically yielded only 60–80% of the species present in chenopod shrubland. Standard 4-night trapping periods adopted by most surveys will fail to detect many rare species, or those that are difficult to trap. Repeated 7-night trapping sessions for up to 21 nights are recommended for surveys where more accurate species inventories are required.

scholarly journals List of Species and Conservation Status of Avifauna and Small mammal around Bade Segment Area of River Yobe, Yobe State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam, L. I. ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
River Bank ◽  
Small Mammal Species

The study was carried out to assess a Checklist of avifauna and small mammal species along Bade catchment area of Yobe State, Nigeria. Preliminary survey was conducted around the river, three (3) habitat types were identified; (river bank, farm lands and flood plain). The line transect was 8 km in length. Two (2) transects were established per habitat type, making a total of six (6) transects. The transects were 100 m apart to the left or right in order to avoid double counting of species. A distance of 200m was maintained between each habitat. The data obtained were analyses using descriptive statistics (Frequency tables and Charts were used to portrayed the findings. The result of the study; showed that a total of 50 bird species in 28 families were recorded. RB had the highest individuals of Fifty (50) species while FP has the lowest with ten (10) species. The Bird family Columbidae has the highest number with six (6) of species, while the lowest were Ardeidae, Sturnidae and Tytonidae with one species in each of the habitat types. However, checklist of small mammal species also indicated that a total of 6 species of small mammals belonging to 4 families were identified. The result of the study shows that the family Muridae has 3 species which was the highest number of per family identified in the study area, this is due to the fact that Muridae family are the most common small mammals in the study area. And both bird small species fell under least concern (LC) category except Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus which felled under near threatened (NT) species. However, awareness campaign should also be organize for the residents around the study area on the presence, distribution of bird and small mammal species and also disturbing effect of their activities on bird and small mammal around the segment area of river Yobe.

The distributionof terrestrial vertebrates and plants in relation to vegetation and habitat-mapping schemes in Stage III of Kakadu National Park

1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 355 ◽  
Author(s):  
JCZ Woinarski ◽  
RW Braithwaite
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
National Park ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Habitat Mapping ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Floristic Similarity ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽  
Species Association ◽  
Plant Groups

The abundance of birds, reptiles and frogs was recorded at 370 quadrats and the abundance of mammals and the basal area of woody plants was recorded at these and a further 10 quadrats in Stage I11 of Kakadu National Park. Patterns in the distribution of these species were related to two environmental mapping schemes. The more specific and localised of these was a 1 : 100 000 habitat map for Kakadu National Park, established by Schodde et al. (1987), based on environmental attributes considered to be significant for the distribution of wildlife species: floristics, vegetation structure, substrate and landscape position. The more generalised scheme was that of Wilson et a[. (1991), which mapped vegetation communities at a 1:1 000 000 scale across the Northern Territory. The distributions of assemblages of plant, all vertebrate, bird and reptile species were strongly associated with the distributions of both Schodde habitats and Wilson vegetation units. The associations were less good, but still highly significant, for distributions of native mammal and frog assemblages. Patterns in the similarity of species composition between the different habitats or vegetation units varied between different animal and plant groups. Similarity in vertebrate species composition was high between most sandstone habitats. Floristic similarity was high between woodland habitats on different substrates. Melaleuca open forests were distinct from other vegetation units in their composition of bird, frog, reptile and plant species. Mammal species composition divided the vegetation units into an upland rocky group and a lowland group. The distribution and abundance of most individual animal species were significantly related to the habitat or floristic unit divisions. This association was clearer for species recorded from at least 20 quadrats than for those recorded from 6-19 quadrats. For the latter group of species, association was more apparent with the Schodde habitat scheme than with the Wilson vegetation classification. The proportion of native mammals that showed significant associations with either classification was smaller than that for birds and reptites. The generally significant associations between distributions of individual species and the mapping of defined habitats suggests that the Schodde scheme offers a useful template for predicting species distributions within Stage 111 of Kakadu. However, the restriction of this habitat mapping to the Kakadu area renders this scheme inapplicable for the prediction of distributions beyond Kakadu, and therefore handicaps the assessment of the wildlife value of Kakadu National Park in a regional context. The Wilson vegetation map can be used to extrapolate distributions beyond Kakadu, but because that ~lassification scheme includes many vegetation units that were not sampled within the Kakadu area the predicted distribution in this case will be very incomplete.

Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving the Highly Hunted Mammal Species as Bushmeat in Southern Benin

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-24
Author(s):  
Chabi A.M.S. Djagoun ◽  
Etotépé A. Sogbohossou ◽  
Barthélémy Kassa ◽  
Christian B. Ahouandjinou ◽  
Hugues A. Akpona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Occupancy Model ◽  
Habitat Occupancy ◽  
Anthropogenic Habitat ◽  
Lama Forest

Background: The habitat degradation together with fragmentation and illegal hunting represent a major threat for biodiversity conservation in Lama protected areas. Method: We used a combination of questionnaire survey with local communities for ranking the hunted mammal species as bushmeat and track surveys in gridded-cell system of 500x500 m2 (n=268) to assess at what extend the management design, the anthropogenic factors and habitat type affect the occupancy model of those mammal species. Results: Twenty mammal species have been predominantly reported by the local inhabitants to consume bushmeat species and 5 of them have been identified as the most preferable as hunted game mammals. The selection of the preferred habitat among the swampy forest, the dense forest, the tree plantations and cropland for the prioritized game species varies between species but looks similar when grouping in different orders. Some bushmeat species were found to select the more secure habitat (natural forest); suggesting the zoning system in the Lama forest can passively protect those species. However, some species such as T. swinderianus although highly hunted showed preference to anthropogenic habitat, avoiding the well secured core zone in Lama Forest. Conclusion: Our findings highlighted the importance of the zoning system with different management objectives in the habitat occupancy model of the highly hunted wildlife species.

scholarly journals First Detection of Bartonella spp. in Small Mammals from Rice Storage and Processing Facilities in Myanmar and Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 658
Author(s):  
Inga Böge ◽  
Martin Pfeffer ◽  
Nyo M. Htwe ◽  
Pyai P. Maw ◽  
Siriwardana Rampalage Sarathchandra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Suncus Murinus ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Urban Settlements ◽  
D 12 ◽  
Zoonotic Bacteria

(1) Background: Bartonella spp. are zoonotic bacteria with small mammals as main reservoirs. Bartonella spp. prevalence in small mammals from Myanmar and Sri Lanka are yet unknown. (2) Methods: Small mammals were snap trapped in Sri Lanka and Myanmar in urban surroundings. Spleens-derived DNA was screened for Bartonella spp. using conventional PCR based on three target genes. Positive samples were sequenced. (3) Results: 994 small mammals were collected comprising 6 species: Bandicota bengalensis, Bandicota indica, Rattus exulans, Rattus rattus, Mus booduga, and Suncus murinus. In Myanmar, the Bartonella prevalence in Bandicoot rats (68.47%) was higher than in Rattus rattus (41.67%), Rattus exulans (21.33%), and Suncus murinus (3.64%). Furthermore the prevalence in Myanmar (34%, n = 495) was twice as high as in Sri Lanka (16%, n = 499). In Sri Lanka, Bartonella spp. occurred almost exclusively in R. rattus. In Myanmar, Bartonella kosoyi was mainly detected (56%), followed by Bartonella sp. KM2529 (15%), Bartonella sp. SE-Bart D (12%) and Bartonella henselae (1%). In Sri Lanka, B. phoceensis (60%) and Bartonella sp. KM2581 (33%) were predominant. (4) Conclusions: Bartonella spp. were detected in all investigated small mammal species from Myanmar and Sri Lanka for the first time. Bartonella kosoyi and B. henselae are zoonotic. As these small mammals originated from urban settlements, human bartonellosis seems likely to occur.

scholarly journals Diversity and Diet Differences of Small Mammals in Commensal Habitats

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 346
Author(s):  
Linas Balčiauskas ◽  
Laima Balčiauskienė ◽  
Andrius Garbaras ◽  
Vitalijus Stirkė
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Additional Food ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
Degree Of Separation ◽  
Kitchen Gardens ◽  
Dietary Plasticity ◽  
The Stability

The stability of diversity of syntopic (inhabiting the same habitat in the same time) small mammals in commensal habitats, such as farmsteads and kitchen gardens, and, as a proxy of their diet, their isotopic niches, was investigated in Lithuania in 2019–2020. We tested whether the separation of species corresponds to the trophic guilds, whether their diets are related to possibilities of getting additional food from humans, and whether their diets are subject to seasonal trends. We analyzed diversity, dominance and distribution of hair δ13C and δ15N values. Diversity and dominance was not stable and differed according to human influence. The highest small mammal species richness occurred in commensal habitats that provided additional food. The degree of separation of species was higher in homestead habitats than in kitchen gardens, where a 1.27 to 35.97% overlap of isotopic niches was observed between pairs of species. Temporal changes in δ13C and δ15N values in the hair of the mammals were not equally expressed in different species. The isotopic overlap may depend on dietary plasticity, minimizing interspecific competition and allowing co-existence of syntopic species. Thus, small mammal trophic ecology is likely related to intensity of agricultural activities in the limited space of commensal habitats.

Small mammal mycophagy in hemiboreal forest communities of Lithuania

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marija Kataržytė ◽  
Ernestas Kutorga
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Deciduous Tree ◽  
Myodes Glareolus ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Hypogeous Fungi ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Significant Difference

AbstractThe diets of small mammals in different hemiboreal spruce-dominated, oak-dominated and mixed forests in western part of Lithuania were studied by examination of fungal spores in fresh fecal pellets of caught animals. In the diets of mice (Apodemus spp.), bank voles (Myodes glareolus), and common and pygmy shrews (Sorex araneus and S. minutus), 22 different fungal taxa were identified, 15 of which were hypogeous fungi. The sporocarp abundance and the spores in fecal samples of Elaphomyces fungi prevailed in study area during this investigation. Although most of the captured individuals consumed fungi, the consumption varied among small mammal species. The data show that the fungi were more frequent and taxonomically diverse in Myodes glareolus than in Apodemus spp. diets. The study provided evidence that the fungal component in the diets of insectivorous Sorex species is more diverse than previously known. The availability of sporocarps and the fungal component in the diets of small mammals showed seasonal effects. Annual hypogeous and epigeous sporocarp abundances did not vary significantly across forest types. The significant difference in mycophagy was observed across all forest cover types, with the greatest fungal diversity in fecal samples collected in mixed coniferous-deciduous tree stands.

scholarly journals Monitoring invasive mammalian predator populations sharing habitat with the Critically Endangered Puerto Rican parrot Amazona vittata

Oryx ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Engeman ◽  
Desley Whisson ◽  
Jessica Quinn ◽  
Felipe Cano ◽  
Pedro Quiñones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rican ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Forest Sites ◽  
The World ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Amazona Vittata ◽  
Black Rats

Critically Endangered Puerto Rican parrots Amazona vittata are one of the rarest birds in the world. Several exotic mammal species capable of preying on Puerto Rican parrots cohabit the Caribbean National Forest with the only wild population of these parrots. We used tracking plates, monitoring blocks and trapping to index black rats, small Indian mongooses and feral cats in parrot habitat and in public-use areas in the same habitat type. We had high trap success for black rats at all sites (42% of all sites combined), among the highest reported in the world. Rat response to monitoring (nontoxic bait) blocks was universally high, regardless of ground or tree placement. Mongooses were present at all sites, with a greater proportion of plates tracked within the forest than at public-use sites. Cats were present at all forest sites and one of the public-use sites. Presence of the three species did not appear to be linked to human disturbance. Because only 30–40 Puerto Rican parrots survive in the wild, with as few as three pairs nesting in 2002, we concluded that the abundance and pervasiveness of exotic mammalian predators poses a greater threat to the parrots than has been generally acknowledged. This is evidenced by mammalian predation during recent parrot breeding seasons, including six fledglings taken by mongooses and one nest failure from rats during 2000–2003.

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