Ecological correlates of small mammal community structure in the semi-arid Karoo, South Africa

1992 ◽  
Vol 227 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham I. H. Kerley

2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
SM Carthew ◽  
T Keynes

Small mammal community structure was investigated at a semi-arid mallee site in the Middleback Ranges of South Australia during 14 field trips conducted over four years. During this time, 291 small mammals were caught from 6579 trap nights (trap success 4.4%). Ningaui yvonneae was the most abundant and frequently recorded species (199 captures), followed by Cercartetus concinnus (75 captures). Other species caught infrequently were Sminthopsis dolichura (2 captures), Notomys mitchellii (3 captures), Pseudomys bolami (2 captures) and Mus domesticus (10 captures). Ningaui yvonneae was the only species caught during all sampling periods. Males were trapped more frequently than females (117 : 43). Recapture rates were low, with only eight of 160 individuals caught during more than one sampling period. This may reflect the mobility of the species. Distances moved between successive recaptures within a sampling period averaged less than 100 m, while between sampling periods distances averaged more than 450 m. This is the first published study to capture N. yvonneae regularly and in reasonable numbers.



Koedoe ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L.M. Els ◽  
G.I.H. Kerley

We investigated the relations between environmental features (biotic and abiotic) and small mammal communities in the Groendal Wilderness Area, South Africa. Habitat architecture (expressed as both horizontal and vertical foliage density) and total plant canopy cover (especially shrub canopy cover) are the most important correlates of small mammal community structure at this site. The mechanisms for these relationships are complex, probably involving physiological, social and anti-predator effects as well as reflecting nutritional resources. Furthermore, man and fire influence small mammal community structure. These effects are as a result of altered plant community composition and structure by plantation and pasture establishment and burning. In order to maintain a diversity of small mammal communities, management should ensure a mosaic of diverse vegetation communities.





2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-225
Author(s):  
Alanna J. Rebelo ◽  
Anthony G. Rebelo ◽  
Alexander D. Rebelo ◽  
Gary N. Bronner


2011 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 1155-1157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter L. Meserve ◽  
Christopher R. Dickman ◽  
Douglas A. Kelt


10.2307/4134 ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter L. Meserve


Mammalia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Augusto Serpa Cerboncini ◽  
Marcelo Burigo Guimarães Rubio ◽  
Itiberê Piaia Bernardi ◽  
Talita Vieira Braga ◽  
James Joseph Roper ◽  
...  


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Salwa Abd Khalid ◽  
Ulmar Grafe

Widespread and rapid forest loss and disturbance have resulted in increased fragmentation of tropical forests. The impacts of forest disturbance and fragmentation on small mammals have been widely studied across the tropics and these studies have highlighted the detrimental effects. However, there is limited understanding on the impacts on small mammals in Borneo. This study investigated the impacts of fragmentation on small mammal community structure in lowland coastal heath forests known as kerangas forests, in Brunei Darussalam. Twelve study sites were compared in three forest types: fragmented (2.07-17.6 ha), disturbed (443.55-483.79 ha) and undisturbed (>500 ha) forests. In addition, the correlations between species richness, abundance and biomass of small mammals, and forest size were investigated. There was a clear change in species composition in the different forest types. Fragmented forests had the lowest species richness but the highest pooled abundance and biomass compared with disturbed and undisturbed forests. Species richness increased with forest size as predicted by the theory of island biogeography. In contrast, abundance and biomass was negatively correlated to forest size. Factors that contribute to the pronounced decline in species richness in fragmented forests include loss of rare and native forest species, reduced forest size in fragmented forests and distance effect. We suggest that a release from top-down control by predators and favourable conditions as a result from forest fragmentation are responsible for higher abundance and biomass of small mammals in fragmented forests.





2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Melo ◽  
J. Sponchiado ◽  
A. Machado ◽  
N. Cáceres


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