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Spatial patterns presented by the opossums Caluromys philander, Philander frenata and Micoureus demerarae were studied, through radio-tracking, in a landscape composed of eight small (1.3–13.3 ha) forest fragments surrounded by a matrix of open vegetation in south-eastern Brazil. Sixteen individuals were fitted with radio-collar transmitters and monitored for 2–8 mo. Fixes were obtained by the ‘homing-in on the animal’ technique. Numbers of locations of each individual varied from 6 to 117. Home ranges sizes ranged from 2.5–7.0 ha for C. philander, 0.6–7.4 ha for P. frenata and 0.8–1.7 ha for M. demerarae. Fragments, both edges and interiors, were used more often than the matrix; they are the primary habitat for these marsupials in the landscape. The matrix was used for foraging by P. frenata and C. philander, and traversed in five movements between fragments by P. frenata. Ability to use fragment edges and the matrix is important in explaining how these marsupials are able to persist in the landscape.
The spatial patterns presented by the marsupial Micoureus demerarae were studied through capture–mark–recapture in two small Atlantic Forest fragments (areas 7.1 and 8.8 ha). The study took place from March 1995 to August 1997. Considering all captures of each individual, males did not have larger home ranges within the fragments than did females. A negative correlation was found between home range sizes and population densities. For males, home ranges overlapped often, and were larger during the breeding season. For females, home ranges did not overlap except for a short period when there were many individuals present, and home range sizes were not significantly larger in the breeding season. Five movements between the two forest fragments were detected, across 300 m of open vegetation. All the movements were performed by males during the reproductive season. M. demerarae in the small fragments therefore displays a metapopulation structure, although possibly an atypical one where only males disperse.
Patterns of population fluctuation, reproductive activity and age structure were studied in populations of
the marsupial Micoureus demerarae occupying two small (7.0 and 8.8 ha) fragments of Atlantic Coastal Forest in
southeastern Brazil, from 1995 to 1998. Males, but not females, were observed to move between populations. Estimated
sizes of the populations in each fragment were very small, usually below 20 individuals. Breeding usually occurred
from September to April. Population peaks came mostly by the end of this season, the delay reflecting the time required
for the young to become trappable. In August 1997, the area was hit by a fire severely affecting the smaller fragment.
Populations were synchronous before the fire, although they became asynchronous after it, possibly in the short term
only. Small population sizes, synchrony and presumable male-biased migration are all likely to make the set of
populations more vulnerable to extinction than expected for a metapopulation.
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