Trapping Success in Relation to Trap Placement with Three Species of Small Mammals, Rattus fuscipes, Antechinus swainsonii and A.stuartii

1979 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
AP Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes ◽  
Two Indices ◽  
Trap Placement

The effect of trap placement on trapping success was investigated with the small mammals Rattus fuscipes, Antechinus swainsonii and A. stuartii. Trapping success for A. stuartii was not affected by density of ground cover (measured qualitatively and by the penetration of light), type of ground cover, presence of logs or presence of runways (either small natural openings in the ground cover or wombat pathways). R. fuscipes and A. swainsonii were caught more frequently in areas of good cover, in fishbone water-fern Blechnum nudum and on runways. The two indices of cover gave similar results. A. swainsonii was often caught on wombat pathways but not often on small natural runways; preference for wombat pathways increased in winter. Logs were not preferred by any of the species. Some latitude may be desirable in trap placement within a predetermined trapping configuration, especially when small mammals are sparsely distributed.

Effects of logging and fire on small mammals in Mumbulla State Forest, near Bega, New South Wales

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Lunney ◽  
B. Cullis ◽  
P. Eby
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
First Year ◽  
Severe Effect ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes

This study of the effects of logging on small mammals in Mumbulla State Forest on the south coast of New South Wales included the effects of a fire in November 1980 and a drought throughout the study period from June 1980 to June 1983. Rattus fuscipes was sensitive to change: logging had a significant impact on its numbers, response to ground cover, and recapture rate; fire had a more severe effect, and drought retarded the post-fire recovery of the population. The three species of dasyurid marsupials differed markedly in their response to ground cover, canopy cover, logging and fire. Antechinus stuartii was distributed evenly through all habitats and was not affected by logging, but fire had an immediate and adverse effect which was sustained by the intense drought. A. swainsonii markedly preferred the regenerating forest, and was not seen again after the fire, the failure of the population being attributed to its dependence on dense ground cover. Sminthopsis leucopus was found in low numbers, appeared to prefer forest with sparse ground cover, and showed no immediate response to logging or fire; its disappearance by the third year post-fire suggests that regenerating forest is inimical to the survival of this species. Mus musculus showed no response to logging. In the first year following the fire its numbers were still very low, but in the next year there was a short-lived plague which coincided with the only respite in the 3-year drought and, importantly, occurred in the intensely burnt parts of the forest. The options for managing this forest for the conservation of small mammals include minimising fire, retaining unlogged forest, extending the time over which alternate coupes are logged and minimising disturbance from heavy machinery.

Habitat Relationships of Small Mammals at Port Campbell National Park, Victoria.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
K.L. Twyford
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
National Park ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Forest Community ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Species List ◽  
Successional Stage ◽  
Vegetation Communities ◽  
Open Forest ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes

Habitat relationships of six species of small mammals was investigated in eight vegetation communities at Port Campbell National Park, Victoria. The dispersion of 317 trap captures over 10 months was used to assess the relationships of small mammals with different vegetation communities. Rattus fuscipes showed a strong affinity for dense, structurally complex vegetation, particularly a disused softwood plantation and to a lesser extent a closed-heath/low open-forest community. Captures of Rattus lutreolus were most frequent in the wetter communities which provided adequate cover, particularly the swamp community. A possible relationship between captures of this species and the abundance of sedge food resources is suggested. Antechinus swainsonii was captured in greatest numbers in tussock-grassland/low open-shrubland where dense ground cover was present. However, areas with dense mid-storey cover which were considered to be favourable habitat supported few individuals. Sminthopsis leucopus, although captured at low rates in only two communities, favoured more open vegetation than both A. swainsonii and A. minimus. The later species was captured rarely, but exclusively in open-heath, although more favourable habitat appeared to be present elsewhere in the Park. The low abundance of Mus musculus was attributed to a lack of habitat available at an early successional stage. A mammal species list for the Park of 15 species has been compiled based on trapping, incidental observations and indirect traces. Key areas for conservation of small mammals within the Park are identified.

Demographic features and habitat preferences of southern pygmy mice (Baiomys musculus) in Colima, Mexico

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 507-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary D. Schnell ◽  
Cassie J. Poindexter ◽  
Cornelio Sánchez-Hernández ◽  
María de Lourdes Romero-Almaraz ◽  
Michael L. Kennedy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Dead Wood ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Open Canopy ◽  
Demographic Features

In Colima, Mexico, we conducted 8-night mark–recapture grid studies of southern pygmy mice ( Baiomys musculus (Merriam, 1892)) in January 2003–2007 in dry deciduous and tropical moist forests. For 40 000 trap-nights, 436 individuals were captured 764 times (comprising 18.6% of small mammals). The male:female ratio was 1:1.37, 82.9% were adults, 51.4% of females were pregnant or lactating, and coastal animals, on average, were heavier than those inland. Females moved farther than males. Baiomys was on 17 of 25 grids (densities 1.82–106.24 individuals/ha). Moon illumination did not affect capture or recapture probabilities, but trap-night did (overall, probability increased 1.66%/night). Grids with Baiomys had less bare ground and a more open canopy. Capture sites had more grass, less dead wood and bare ground, a more open and lower canopy, and greater distance to trees. Logistic regression indicated coastal capture sites had more forbs, grasses, and woody plants, and thicker vegetation at 1 m height with trees being relatively distant. Variables differed somewhat for northern sites, and the equation for all grids included 10 of 14 environmental variables. Baiomys frequented edge of an unimproved road traversing one grid. Baiomys musculus, widespread in Colima, exhibited preference for habitats with relatively dense ground cover and at least a partially open canopy.

The Response of Small Mammals to Clearing and Burning of Eucalypt Forest in South-eastern Australia

1979 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
GR Friend
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Pine Plantation ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
Population Turnover ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes

Before, during and after a clearing operation for pine plantation establishment, small mammals were trapped on ridges which were to be cleared of all vegetation, and in adjacent gullies which were to be permanently retained under native forest. Rattus fuscipes was the most abundant native species on all grids throughout the study, while R. lutreolus, Antechinus stuartii and A. swainsonii were in low abundance. Clearing in early summer, the breeding season in most of these species, resulted in an acceleration and accentuation of population turnover. Some juveniles and subadults may have moved from the ridges during clearing, while breeding adults remained and probably perished. Populations of R. fuscipes on ridge areas were drastically reduced by clearing and windrowing, but subadults recolonized the affected areas within 1-2 months. Results for the other three native species were inconclusive, due to the few individuals captured at any time during the study. The exotic species Mus musculus began to invade immediately following windrow burning.

A 10-year demographic study of a small mammal community in the Australian Alps

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 338 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. D. Happold
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
High Fecundity ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Subalpine Zone ◽  
Australian Alps ◽  
Small Mammal Community ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes ◽  
Interannual Fluctuations ◽  
Population Numbers

This paper describes a 10-year study of the community of two species of small rodents (Mastacomys fuscus, Rattus fuscipes) and one species of dasyurid marsupial (Antechinus swainsonii) in the subalpine zone of the Australian Alps. Each species exhibited differing life-histories with respect to population numbers, intra- and interannual fluctuations in numbers, reproduction, proportion of young in the population, winter survival, immigration and longevity. Of the two species of rodents, M. fuscus had the lowest population numbers, was the least fecund, had the highest rate of survival, and the smallest fluctuations in numbers. A. swainsonii was the least numerous species, and the winter die-off of males and the high fecundity of females resulted in much greater fluctuations in numbers than for either rodent. For all species, there were interannual variations in most demographic parameters, suggesting considerable flexibility in response to annual variations in the environment. None of the three species is known to hibernate, nor is there any evidence of cyclicity, as shown by some species of subarctic and arctic small mammals. Comparisons are made with subalpine small mammals in other parts of the world and the influence of the subalpine environment in determining population numbers is considered.

Populations of Four Small Mammals in Radiata Pine Plantations and Eucalypt Forests of North-Eastern Victoria.

1978 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 305 ◽  
Author(s):  
GC Suckling ◽  
A Heislers
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Radiata Pine ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Antechinus Stuartii ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes ◽  
Eucalypt Forests

[See also FA 39, 2088] A 2-yr trapping study was made on (a) Rattus fuscipes, (b) Antechinus stuartii, (c) Mus musculus and (d) A. swainsonii in mature eucalypt forest, a narrow stream-side strip of eucalypt forest, and in 3 pine plantations, 8, 22 and 42 yr old. In each area (a) and (d) were largely and (c) always confined to dense native vegetation along streams, whilst (b) was more frequent along streams than on slopes. More animals were found away from streams in young pine plantations than in other forest types.

scholarly journals Spatial and Temporal Changes in Habitat Heterogeneity Promote Partition of Resources of Small Mammals in a Midlatitude Temperate Forest

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan M. De la Cruz-Arguello ◽  
Alondra Castro-Campillo ◽  
Alejandro Zavala-Hurtado ◽  
Arturo Salame-Méndez ◽  
José Ramírez-Pulido
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Dispersion Patterns ◽  
Microhabitat Heterogeneity ◽  
Close Relatives ◽  
Habitat Variables

AbstractOne of the basics and fundamentals problems in ecology is understand the factors that shape the spatial patterns in the distribution of the species and the coexistence of close relatives species. Among the most important factors governing the distributions and the coexistence of species are the spatiotemporal changes occurring in the microhabitat heterogeneity. Here, we assessed the heterogeneity of microhabitats and how they have an effect in the spatial segregation of two species of small mammals (i. e., Peromyscus difficilis and P. melanotis), which coexist in a temperate, mixed forest. We evaluated the microhabitat heterogeneity through multivariate statistics, using onto 23 habitat variables for vertical-horizontal habitat structure along pluvial seasons. To detect specific microdistribution changes and habitat preferences by two species of small mammals, we used second order spatial statistics and general linear models. According to their respective morphology and locomotive adaptations, the middle sized, midscansorial P. difficilis was resident all year long and preferred microhabitats with a high log ground cover, while the opportunistic, small sized, cursorial P. melanotis changed its occupancy area, depending on density of herbaceous and woody plants cover. Under the more benign microhabitat conditions of rainy season (denser plant coverage, milder temperature), both species showed closer microdistribution patterns; while these became repulsive at the less benign conditions of dry season (scarcer plant cover, colder temperature). Thus, we could confirm that seasonal changes of microhabitat heterogeneity promoted Peromyscus coexistence, through dispersion patterns reflecting partition of microhabitat resources.

Amplified predation after fire suppresses rodent populations in Australia’s tropical savannas

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lily Leahy ◽  
Sarah M. Legge ◽  
Katherine Tuft ◽  
Hugh W. McGregor ◽  
Leon A. Barmuta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Live Trapping ◽  
Rodent Populations

Context Changes in abundance following fire are commonly reported for vertebrate species, but the mechanisms causing these changes are rarely tested. Currently, many species of small mammals are declining in the savannas of northern Australia. These declines have been linked to intense and frequent fires in the late dry season; however, why such fires cause declines of small mammals is unknown. Aims We aimed to discover the mechanisms causing decline in abundance of two species of small mammals, the pale field rat, Rattus tunneyi, and the western chestnut mouse, Pseudomys nanus, in response to fire. Candidate mechanisms were (1) direct mortality because of fire itself, (2) mortality after fire because of removal of food by fire, (3) reduced reproductive success, (4) emigration, and (5) increased mortality because of predation following fire. Methods We used live trapping to monitor populations of these two species under the following three experimental fire treatments: high-intensity fire that removed all ground vegetation, low-intensity fire that produced a patchy burn, and an unburnt control. We also radio-tracked 38 R. tunneyi individuals to discover the fates of individual animals. Key results Abundance of both species declined after fire, and especially following the high-intensity burn. There was no support for any of the first four mechanisms of population decline, but mortality owing to predation increased after fire. This was related to loss of ground cover (which was greater in the high-intensity fire treatment), which evidently left animals exposed to predators. Also, local activity of two predators, feral cats and dingoes, increased after the burns, and we found direct evidence of predation by feral cats and snakes. Conclusions Fire in the northern savannas has little direct effect on populations of these small mammals, but it causes declines by amplifying the impacts of predators. These effects are most severe for high-intensity burns that remove a high proportion of vegetation cover. Implications To prevent further declines in northern Australia, fire should be managed in ways that limit the effects of increased predation. This could be achieved by setting cool fires that produce patchy burns, avoiding hot fires, and minimising the total area burnt.

scholarly journals Monitoring of small mammal populations in the Brindabella Ranges after fire

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micah J. Davies ◽  
Alex Drew
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
Population Recovery ◽  
Australian Capital Territory ◽  
Australian Capital ◽  
Antechinus Agilis ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes ◽  
Line Movement

We live-trapped small mammals in the Brindabella Ranges west of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory from April 2009 until October 2011 to assess population recovery after an intense and widespread fire that occurred across the region in 2003. Three native mammals (agile antechinus, Antechinus agilis; dusky antechinus, Antechinus swainsonii; bush rat, Rattus fuscipes) were encountered. Trapping records and spool-and-line movement patterns suggested a strong association of these small mammals with moist gully vegetation that had survived the fire.

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