scholarly journals Mammal Species Richness at a Catena and Nearby Waterholes during a Drought, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 387
Author(s):  
Beanélri B. Janecke
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Feeding Guilds ◽  
Feeding Guild ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Seasonal Movement ◽  
Herbivore Species ◽  
Small Mammal Species

Catenas are undulating hillslopes on a granite geology characterised by different soil types that create an environmental gradient from crest to bottom. The main aim was to determine mammal species (>mongoose) present on one catenal slope and its waterholes and group them by feeding guild and body size. Species richness was highest at waterholes (21 species), followed by midslope (19) and sodic patch (16) on the catena. Small differences observed in species presence between zones and waterholes and between survey periods were not significant (p = 0.5267 and p = 0.9139). In total, 33 species were observed with camera traps: 18 herbivore species, 10 carnivores, two insectivores and three omnivores. Eight small mammal species, two dwarf antelopes, 11 medium, six large and six mega-sized mammals were observed. Some species might not have been recorded because of drought, seasonal movement or because they travelled outside the view of cameras. Mammal presence is determined by food availability and accessibility, space, competition, distance to water, habitat preferences, predators, body size, social behaviour, bound to territories, etc. The variety in body size and feeding guilds possibly indicates a functioning catenal ecosystem. This knowledge can be beneficial in monitoring and conservation of species in the park.

scholarly journals NONVOLANT MAMMALS IN A FRAGMENT OF ARBOREAL CAATINGA IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (04) ◽  
pp. 894-903
Author(s):  
Izar Aximoff ◽  
◽  
John Philip Medcraft ◽  
Anthony Caravaggi ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
The State ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Sheep Breeding ◽  
Active Search ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Mammal Fauna ◽  
Cattle And Sheep

The state of Paraiba is one of those with the most degraded Caatinga that presents the large gap of knowledge concerning the mammal fauna. Mammals are among the taxa most affected by this. In this sense, we evaluated non-volant mammals’ richness and composition between March 2013 and February 2020 in a Caatinga fragment (121 ha). We used active search (336 hours) and camera traps (1,200 night traps). We recorded 20 species, including four threatened ones. Carnivora was the most representative order (7 species), followed by Rodentia (4 species). The richness of non-volant mammals found represents 35.6 % of the total number of such species in the Caatinga. This species richness is greater than that found in other studies in the state. The presence of these mammal species was mainly due to the recovering vegetation that resulted from the great planting effort and also due to cessation of hunt, cattle and sheep breeding that had existed on the farm for over thirty years. Our findings highlight the importance of this particular reserve due to the large number of species registered.

The scientific, financial and ethical implications of three common wildlife-trapping designs

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen P. Waudby ◽  
Sophie Petit ◽  
Matthew J. Gill
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Capture Rate ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Small Mammal Species ◽  
Capture Rates

Abstract ContextTrapping design influences information collected about wildlife populations and biodiversity. Trapping is also resource-intensive and has animal welfare implications. AimsThe scientific, financial and ethical performances of three trap designs were compared for estimating diversity and sampling small vertebrates. MethodsSmall vertebrates were trapped over 16 trapping sessions, from April 2009 to May 2011, with aluminium box-style (Elliott) traps and two pitfall trap designs (shallow–wide and deep–narrow), in an arid environment. Key resultsShallow pitfalls recorded highest overall species richness (S=22) and diversity (qD=10.622), reptile diversity (qD=8.112) and reptile capture rates (13.600 individuals per 100 trap nights). Shallow and deep pitfalls sampled ~79.0% and 85.0% (respectively) more small mammals than did Elliott traps. Deep pitfalls sampled the greatest diversity (qD=6.017) and number (29.700 individuals per 100 trap nights) of small mammals, and captured the greatest number of small mammal species (0.003) and individuals (0.106) per dollar. Shallow pitfalls were the most cost-efficient trap type for sampling reptile species (0.003) and individuals (0.044) per dollar. Between-session recapture rates were greatest in Elliott traps, indicating an increased likelihood of biased capture rates for certain small mammal species over time. Elliott traps were the least efficient traps on most scientific and cost measures, and recorded the greatest overall recapture rates, particularly for Sminthopsis crassicaudata and S. macroura. Body size of one species only, the nationally threatened Pseudomys australis, influenced its capture rate, with larger individuals more likely to be caught in deep pitfalls. Mortality was highest in pitfalls and mostly related to interactions between animals caught in the same trap. Key conclusionsShallow pitfalls are suitable for studies focused on estimating species richness, and reptile diversity and abundance. Deep pitfalls are cost-effective for sampling small mammals. Ethical issues associated with pitfalls could be managed by checking traps more often at night, and/or including materials that provide increased protection from predators caught in the same trap, particularly during periods of high abundance. ImplicationsTrap design profoundly influences cost-effectiveness and welfare outcomes of wildlife research. We provide a tool to assist cost-benefit related decisions.

Identification of threatened rodent species using infrared and white-flash camera traps

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phoebe A. Burns ◽  
Marissa L. Parrott ◽  
Kevin C. Rowe ◽  
Benjamin L. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammal ◽  
Infrared Camera ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Camera Trapping ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Adequate Image Quality ◽  
Observer Experience ◽  
Small Mammal Species

Camera trapping has evolved into an efficient technique for gathering presence/absence data for many species; however, smaller mammals such as rodents are often difficult to identify in images. Identification is inhibited by co-occurrence with similar-sized small mammal species and by camera set-ups that do not provide adequate image quality. Here we describe survey procedures for identification of two small, threatened rodent species – smoky mouse (Pseudomys fumeus) and New Holland mouse (P. novaehollandiae) – using white-flash and infrared camera traps. We tested whether observers could accurately identify each species and whether experience with small mammals influenced accuracy. Pseudomys fumeus was ~20 times less likely to be misidentified on white-flash images than infrared, and observer experience affected accuracy only for infrared images, where it accounted for all observer variance. Misidentifications of P. novaehollandiae were more common across both flash types: false positives (>0.21) were more common than false negatives (<0.09), and experience accounted for only 31% of variance in observer accuracy. For this species, accurate identification appears to be, in part, an innate skill. Nonetheless, using an appropriate setup, camera trapping clearly has potential to provide broad-scale occurrence data for these and other small mammal species.

scholarly journals Temporal variation in small nonvolant mammal (Cricetidae and Didelphidae) microhabitat associations in the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 663-681
Author(s):  
Robert Owen
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variation ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Small Mammals ◽  
Small Mammal ◽  
Interannual Variation ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest ◽  
Small Mammal Species

Many questions concerning habitat preferences of Neotropical small mammals remain unanswered. These questions include where the animal lives within and among the available habitats, and the temporal (seasonal and interannual) variation in the habitat associations. The objectives of this research were: (1) to determine the associations of non-volant small mammal species (Rodentia and Didelphimorphia) with specific microhabitat characteristics including vegetation structure in an area near the western boundary of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest, and (2) to evaluate seasonal and interannual variation in those associations. Three grids were sampled in three seasons (Dry, Wet, Variable) during two years (2015-2017). The four predominant small mammal species (Gracilinanus agilis, Akodon montensis, Hylaeamys megacephalus, and Oligoryzomys nigripes) were evaluated for seasonal and interannual variation in habitat preferences. Each of the four exhibited seasonal and/or interannual variation in microhabitat preferences for three to six of the 17 environmental variables analyzed. This is the first study to explicitly evaluate temporal variation in habitat associations of small mammals in the Atlantic Forest ecoregion. The temporal patterns of habitat association among these four predominant species reveal a complex spatially and temporally dynamic composition and structure in this small mammal community.

scholarly journals Many More Consumers Not Always Induce Stronger Competition: Weaker Interspecific Competition Despite Higher Species Richness in Secondary Feeding Guild, as Compared to Primary

2021 ◽  
pp. 82-89
Author(s):  
Jean Béguinot
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Feeding Guilds ◽  
Average Intensity ◽  
Fundamental Issue ◽  
Feeding Guild ◽  
Feeding Behaviors ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Full Consideration

The species functional structuration (specifically in terms of species richness and average intensity of interspecific competition) is widely varying among species communities and this point is now very well documented in literature. But, what about the species functional structuration within the different feeding guilds that coexist in a same local community – in particular the primary and the secondary feeding guilds? Are there significant differences – or not – between them in this respect? This rather fundamental issue does not seem having been addressed yet, at least using appropriate investigative tools. However, a series of recently published case studies, precisely implementing such an adequate investigative approach, now deserves full consideration in this regard and makes the subject of the present review. Substantially, it results from this preliminary survey of the question that marked differences in the patterns of species functional structuration clearly singularize the secondary from the primary feeding guilds, within a same local community. More precisely, a consistent trend seems to arise, highlighting both: (i) a markedly greater species richness and, yet somewhat unexpectedly, (ii) a significantly reduced intensity in interspecific competition within secondary feeding guild as compared to primary. The point is discussed and interpreted as being the consequence of the fact that secondary feeders (typically carnivores) have obviously evolve quite more diversified feeding behaviors than did the primary feeders (typically herbivores).

scholarly journals Non-protected areas demanding equitable conservation strategies as of protected areas in the Central Himalayan region

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255082
Author(s):  
Avantika Thapa ◽  
Pujan Kumar Pradhan ◽  
Bheem Dutt Joshi ◽  
Tanoy Mukherjee ◽  
Mukesh Thakur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Capture Rate ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Manis Pentadactyla

The present study aims to explore the mammalian diversity of Darjeeling district using camera traps along with questionnaire survey in protected area (PA) and non- protected area (Non-PA). We also attempted to understand the influence of habitat variables on mammalian species richness using the generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). A total of 30 mammal species were recorded of which 21 species were detected through camera trapping with the most abundant records of barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and least of the elusive Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and red panda (Ailurus fulgens). Additionally, melanistic forms of four mammals were also recorded. The mammalian species richness, their capture rate and naïve occupancy did not differ significantly among the PA and Non-PA. The GLMM revealed that the proportions of oak and bamboo in the forest, percentage canopy cover and camera trap operational days (wAICc = 0.145, wBIC = 0.603) were significant predictors of species richness in the study. We suggest Non-PA forest of Darjeeling should be given equal conservation importance as to the PA. Landscape based conservation planning will be imperative for achieving long term conservation goals in the study area.

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