A small mammal survey was conducted in the Bakhuis Mountains of western Suriname in South America as
part of a larger environmental and social impact assessment for a proposed bauxite mining concession. The objectives
were to establish a baseline study of species diversity and relative abundance for comparison of seasonality, areas, and
habitats to facilitate the identification and monitoring of potential impacts of mining to the environment. There were 83
species of small mammals documented comprising 68 species of bats, 8 species of rats and mice, and 7 species of
opossums. The most abundant bat was the Seba’s short-tailed bat, Carollia perspicillata Linnaeus, which was recorded at
all six study sites. The most abundant non-volant small mammal was the Guianan spiny rat, Proechimys guyannensis E.
Geoffroy. Noteworthy discoveries during the survey include the documentation of four species of bats new to the fauna of
Suriname (Cyttarops alecto Thomas, smoky sheath-tailed bat; Saccopteryx gymnura Thomas; least two-lined sac-winged
bat; Diaemus youngi Jentink; bird-feeding vampire bat; and Lasiurus egregius Peters, greater red bat). There were no
obvious differences between the dry and wet season samplings that were attributable directly to climatic conditions. In
terms of spatial variation, the relative abundance of bats among the five study sites within the concession area was similar
to each other, but significantly different from a sixth study site at a nearby ecotourism operation, which had large numbers
of three species (C. perspicillata; Molossus molossus, common free-tailed bat; and Sturnira lilium, little yellowshouldered
bat) that are better adapted to human modified surroundings. This suggests that the recent mining explorations
in Bakhuis have had a relatively minor impact on bats and that the otherwise pristine forests within the concession can
tolerate low levels of disturbance in proportionally small areas over a short duration. For specific habitats, the xeric forest
on plateaus had a reduced subset of species of small mammals that were found in the mesic forest of the surrounding
lowland regions, which was acting as a species reservoir for upland areas. Small mammals, in particular bats as primary
seed dispersers and flower pollinators, are important components of the ecosystem for the successful reforestation of
natural habitats, and factors related to community structure are good indicators of the health of the environment.
The prey composition of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) with respect to landscape structure of its hunting area (Zala County, Hungary)
