Predicting effects of rainforest fragmentation from live trapping studies of small mammals in Sri Lanka

(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.

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Long-Term Trends in Small Mammals on a Right-of-Way in Pennsylvania, U.S.

Arboriculture & Urban Forestry ◽

10.48044/jauf.2007.016 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 147-152

Author(s):

Richard Yahner ◽

Russell Hutnik

Keyword(s):

Small Mammals ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Common Species ◽

The State ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Right Of Way ◽

Live Trapping ◽

Long Term Trends

The State Game Lands 33 Research and Demonstration Area, Centre County, Pennsylvania, U.S., has been studied since 1953 with the objective of comparing the effectiveness of commonly used mechanical and herbicidal maintenance treatments on vegetation and wildlife on a right-of-way (ROW). Small mammals are important wildlife species on a ROW by consuming tree seeds, thereby reducing invasion of undesirable tree species, and these mammals are important components of a healthy ecosystem. As a follow up to a 2-year study of small mammals conducted 15 years earlier (1989 to 1990) on the State Game Lands 33 ROW, we initiated a 2-year live-trapping study in 2004 on small mammal populations on this ROW. The objectives of our study were to determine relative abundance and species richness (number of species) in six major cover types and in the adjacent forest. One hundred twenty-one individuals of eight species were observed in 2004 and 2005 combined; the most common species was the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). One of the most important cover types to small mammals on the ROW was forb-grass, whereas the forest cover type tended to be less diverse in terms of number of mammal species than in cover types on the ROW.

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Habitat selection by two species of small mammals in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil: Comparing results from live trapping and spool-and-line tracking

Mammalian Biology ◽

10.1016/j.mambio.2009.11.002 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 75 (2) ◽

pp. 106-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jayme Augusto Prevedello ◽

Renato Garcia Rodrigues ◽

Emygdio Leite de Araujo Monteiro-Filho

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

Atlantic Forest ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Live Trapping ◽

Line Tracking

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Identification of Novel Rodent-Borne Orthohantaviruses in an Endemic Area of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) in Sri Lanka

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13101984 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 1984

Author(s):

Devinda S. Muthusinghe ◽

Kenta Shimizu ◽

Sithumini M. W. Lokupathirage ◽

Zhouoxing Wei ◽

Yomani D. Sarathkumara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Sri Lanka ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Endemic Area ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Rattus Rattus ◽

Genetic Evidence ◽

Unknown Etiology ◽

Sri Lankan

We reported the genetic evidence of circulating hantaviruses from small mammals captured in a chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) hotspot area of Sri Lanka. The high seroprevalence of anti-hantavirus antibodies against Thailand orthohantavirus (THAIV) has been reported among CKDu patients and rodents in Sri Lankan CKDu hotspots. We captured 116 small mammals from CKDu endemic regions in the Polonnaruwa District of Sri Lanka. Seven animals (five out of 11 Mus booduga and two out of 99 Rattus rattus) were PCR-positive for the hantavirus. A rat-borne sequence was grouped with a THAIV-like Anjozorobe virus. In contrast, Mus-borne sequences belonged to the THAIV lineage, suggesting a novel orthohantavirus species according to the phylogenetic analyses and whole-genome comparisons. Our genetic evidence indicates the presence of two THAIV-related viruses circulating in this CKDu endemic area, suggesting a basis for further investigations to identify the infectious virus in patients with CKDu and the CKDu induction mechanism of these viruses.

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

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr15011 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 42 (8) ◽

pp. 705 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

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.

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Modified live traps increase capture success of semifossorial voles in Alpine meadows

Mammalia ◽

10.1515/mammalia-2019-0098 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 357-360 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Emiliano Mori ◽

Claudia Allegrini ◽

Sandro Bertolino

Keyword(s):

Small Mammals ◽

Linear Structures ◽

Alpine Meadows ◽

Capture Success ◽

Live Trapping

AbstractLive-trapping of rodents is facilitated by their thigmotaxis (i.e. the tendency to walk along linear structures of the habitat). However, in open habitats, such as meadows and prairies, where linear structures (e.g. rocks and fallen branches) are generally absent and where densities are likely to be low, capturing rodents is often very demanding or ineffective. This applies especially to semifossorial small mammals. Therefore, we developed a technique to increase the capture success of these rodents in Alpine meadows. We applied a box in Tetrapak® with the perforated floor at the opening of Sherman traps. Semifossorial voles (Microtus spp.), leaving their burrows, would remain in a confined status, in the dark within the Tetrapak®, being forced to enter the trap or to go back in the tunnel. Sherman traps modified with Tetrapak® were positioned immediately upon active burrows, alternating with the same number of unmodified traps. Then, we compared the number of captures with and without this modification. Two trapping sessions were carried out, for 3 days/site each, in eight sites (totally 2784 trap-days). Overall, 55 semifossorial voles were trapped; 41 (74.6%) were caught in modified traps, showing that they increase the capture success of semifossorial voles in Alpine meadows.

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A comparison of the effectiveness of camera trapping and live trapping for sampling terrestrial small-mammal communities

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr10046 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 37 (6) ◽

pp. 456 ◽

Cited By ~ 116

Author(s):

Natasha De Bondi ◽

John G. White ◽

Mike Stevens ◽

Raylene Cooke

Keyword(s):

Small Mammals ◽

Small Mammal ◽

National Park ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Camera Trapping ◽

Terrestrial Mammals ◽

Live Trapping ◽

Spatial Coverage ◽

Presence Data ◽

The Cost

Context. There is an increasing reliance on the use of camera-trap technologies for surveys of medium to large terrestrial mammals. Camera trapping may, however, also have significant applications for broad-scale surveys of small mammals. Aims. The present study aims to compare results from camera-trapping surveys to those of the more traditional live-trapping techniques. Specifically, it aims to test the effectiveness of the techniques for detecting species, and the cost effectiveness of both approaches. Methods. Surveys were conducted across 36 sites in the Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia, between April and July 2009. At each site, independent surveys were conducted for small mammals by using a combination of Elliot and cage trapping, then camera trapping. Results for the two different approaches were compared for both their ability to generate small-mammal presence data and their cost effectiveness. Key results. Camera-trapping surveys of 36 sites in the Grampians National Park compared favourably with those of live-trapping surveys. Similar species were detected across the sites, and camera trapping was a considerably more cost effective than live trapping. Conclusions. Camera-trapping surveys of small terrestrial mammals may provide a new and cost-effective technique for surveying terrestrial small mammals. This is particularly the case when presence data are the main requirement of the survey, with no requirement to capture and tag animals. Implications. Given the cost-effective nature of camera trapping, there is potential to use this approach to increase the level of replication and spatial coverage of small-mammal surveys. Improving the replication and spatial coverage of studies has the potential to significantly increase the scope of research questions that can be asked, thus providing the potential to improve wildlife management.

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Impact of habitat disturbance on the distribution of endemic species of small mammals and birds in a tropical rain forest in Sri Lanka

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467405002695 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 661-668 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Mayuri R. Wijesinghe ◽

M. de L. Brooke

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Endemic Species ◽

Rain Forest ◽

Forest Disturbance ◽

Indian Subcontinent ◽

Rattus Rattus ◽

Bird Species ◽

Forest Conversion ◽

Habitat Types

We tested whether species endemic to Sri Lanka were less able than non-endemics to tolerate disturbed habitats. Small mammals were surveyed in four habitat types along a disturbance gradient (unlogged forest, selectively logged forest, cultivated areas and areas abandoned after cultivation) within and around the Sinharaja rain forest in south-west Sri Lanka. Twenty 90-m×40-m plots were live trapped in each of these habitat types. Twelve taxa: nine rodents (Srilankamys ohiensis, Rattus rattus kelaarti, R. r. kandianus, Mus mayori, M. cervicolor, Bandicota indica, Funambulus layardi, F. sublineatus and F. palmarum) and three insectivores (Crocidura miya, Suncus zeylanicus and Feroculus feroculus) were recorded. Of these, five were endemic to Sri Lanka at the species level (species confined to the island) and six at subspecies level (subspecies confined to the island; other subspecies occurring on the Indian subcontinent). Species richness of small mammals decreased with the magnitude of forest disturbance. The endemic species selectively utilized sites within the forest whilst the majority of the other taxa used both forest and non-forest habitat types or were restricted to the latter. Bird surveys were carried out in the same plots, using sightings and calls. Sixty-six bird species were recorded, of which 21 were endemic species. Twenty endemic bird species preferentially used sites within the forest. The findings suggest that the forest-dwelling endemic species of both small mammal and bird encounter difficulties in tolerating modified landscapes, whilst other taxa are less affected. This highlights the vulnerability of endemic species to forest conversion.

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Rickettsiae reservoirs among small mammals (Rats, Mice And Shrews) and their Arthropod Vectors in Sri Lanka

Ceylon Journal of Science ◽

10.4038/cjs.v47i2.7514 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 175

Author(s):

Saranga Yathramullage ◽

Jayantha Rajapakse ◽

Suyama Boyagoda

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Arthropod Vectors

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The efficacy of monitoring techniques for detecting small mammals and reptiles in arid environments

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr17017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 44 (7) ◽

pp. 534 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. Molyneux ◽

C. R. Pavey ◽

A. I. James ◽

S. M. Carthew

Keyword(s):

Small Mammals ◽

Relative Effectiveness ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Probability Of Detection ◽

Arid Zones ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Monitoring Techniques ◽

Live Trapping ◽

Sign Surveys ◽

Over Time

Context Accurate surveying and monitoring of biodiversity provides essential baseline data for developing and implementing effective environmental management strategies. Land managers in arid zones face the challenge of managing vast, remote landscapes that support numerous cryptic species that are difficult to detect and monitor. Although researchers and land managers are using an increasingly wider variety of monitoring techniques to detect and monitor species, little is known of the relative effectiveness and comparative costs of these techniques. Aims The present study simultaneously assessed the efficacy of three popular monitoring techniques utilised in the spinifex sand plains of arid Australia, namely, live trapping, sign surveys and passive infrared (PIR)-camera trapping. Methods We explored variations in capture rates and species richness for each technique and compared initial and on-going costs of the techniques over time. Key results Sign surveys detected the greatest number of species and groups overall. Detectability of small mammals and reptiles, as a target group, was greater using PIR cameras, although the probability of detection by each technique varied among specific species. PIR cameras were initially the most expensive technique; however, the low ongoing costs of maintaining cameras in the field meant that they became the most cost effective after eight survey periods. Conclusions Each of the techniques tested here showed biases towards the detection of specific groups or species in the spinifex sand-plain habitat of Australia. Regardless, PIR cameras performed better at detecting the greatest diversity of target species and financially over time. Implications To accurately survey species across vast areas and climate variations, studies often extend over long time periods. Many long-term studies would be likely to benefit financially from the increased deployment of PIR cameras alongside or in place of live trapping surveys, with little impact on the ability to monitor the presence of most species in the region.

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