A device and standard variables to describe microhabitat structure of small mammals based on plant cover

Freitas, Sérgio de; Cerqueira, Rui; Vieira, Marcus Vinícius

doi:10.1590/s1519-69842002000500008

Cited by 52 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Microhabitat characterization and structure is adapted from Freitas et al (2002) and Pardini et al (2005). Habitat characterization was based on 7 variables explained in Table 1 (Freitas et al 2002).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Habitat characterization was based on 7 variables explained in Table 1 (Freitas et al 2002). In each trapping station, variables were measured on 5 points of a 36 m 2 , the center and the cardinal points.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…OBSTR 1, 2, and 3 were measured with the frame held vertically at 3 heights (0.5, 1, and 1.5 m), as the observer stands at the central stake pointing the frame to each of the other four points. The obstruction percentage was then measured only in the 3 m range between the frame and the stake (for more details, see Freitas et al 2002). …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ecological implications on the aggregation of Amblyomma fuscum (Acari: Ixodidae) on Thrichomys laurentius (Rodentia: Echimyidae), in northeastern Brazil

et al. 2012

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We investigated the Amblyomma fuscum load on a pullulating wild rodent population and the environmental and biological factors influencing the tick load on the hosts. One hundred and three individuals of Thrichomys laurentius were caught in an Atlantic forest fragment in northeastern Brazil, as part of a longitudinal survey on ticks infesting non-volant small mammals. Ticks (n = 342) were found on 45 individuals and the overall mean intensity of infestation was 7.6 ticks per infested rodent. Ticks were highly aggregated in the host population and the negative binomial distribution model provides a statistically satisfactory fit. The aggregated distribution was influenced by sex and age of the host. The microhabitat preference by T. laurentius probably increases contact opportunities between hosts and aggregated infesting stages of the ticks and represents important clues about the habitat suitability for A. fuscum.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ecological implications on the aggregation of Amblyomma fuscum (Acari: Ixodidae) on Thrichomys laurentius (Rodentia: Echimyidae), in northeastern Brazil

et al. 2012

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“…Available microhabitats were quantified by using photographs taken every 2 km along the road. For the characterisation of used and available microhabitats, a grid with 25 squares was placed on each photo, and the type of ground cover was determined (adapted from Freitas et al, 2002;Bennetts et al, 2006). The predominant formation (> 50%) in each square was classified in one of the following categories: Tall vegetation on flooded substrate (TVFS), tall vegetation on dry substrate (TVDS), low vegetation on flooded substrate (LVFS), low vegetation on dry substrate (LVDS), floating vegetation (FV) and visible water surface (VWS).…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microhabitat use by three species of egret (Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae) in southern Brazil

Dp¹,

Cc²,

Fb³

et al. 2013

Braz. J. Biol.

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In the present study, we examined the role of different habitat components and their relationship with microhabitat use by three species of egret: Cocoi heron (Ardea cocoi), Great egret (Ardea alba), and Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), in wetlands of southern Brazil. Ardea alba and A. cocoi were not habitat-specific (e.g. vegetation cover and flooding level). Conversely, B. ibis was associated with drier microhabitats. Relative air humidity and air temperature were the main variables which correlated with the occurrence of these species and supported the plasticity of B. ibis and its predominance in drier habitats.Keywords: Aquatic birds, marsh, habitat, Taim. Uso de micro-habitat por três espécies de garça (Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae) no sul do Brasil ResumoNo presente estudo foi avaliado o papel de diferentes componentes do habitat e sua relação quanto ao uso do microambiente por três espécies de Ardeidae: garça-moura (Ardea cocoi), garça-branca-grande (Ardea alba) e garça-vaqueira (Bubulcus ibis), em banhados do extremo sul brasileiro. Aparentemente, A. alba e A. cocoi não apresentaram especificidade a algum tipo de habitat (e.g. cobertura vegetal e nível de alagamento). Por outro lado B. ibis revelou associações a microambientes mais secos. A temperatura do ar e umidade relativa do ar foram as principais variáveis correlacionadas com a ocorrência dessas espécies, além disso, reforçou-se a plasticidade de B. ibis e sua predominância em ambientes secos.

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“…To characterize the habitat structure within each marsh, photographs were taken at five spots along each transection (0 m, 50 m, 100 m, 150 m and 200 m). At each spot, the photographer faced the water body and the habitat was photographed at a fixed height of 1.5 m. To characterize the microhabitat, a 25 square screen (5 columns and 5 lines) was placed on each digital photograph (see Freitas et al, 2002;Bennetts et al, 2006). In each square, the vegetation covering more than 50% of the area was classified as in flooded soil, e) floating vegetation in flooded soil, and f) exposed water surface.…”

Section: Characterisation Of Foraging Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foraging activity of the snail kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis (Aves: Accipitridae) in wetlands of southern Brazil

et al. 2013

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The snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) is widely distributed in the American continent. Its specialised diet consists mostly of the gastropod mollusk Pomacea sp and its foraging strategy probably varies depending on the season, prey availability, and climate factors, which can be reflected in its semi-nomad behaviour. This study was aimed at examining the hunting strategy of the snail kite, and its association with climate factors and habitat heterogeneity. Direct observations of birds between January 2010 and March 2011 in southernmost Brazil revealed that hunting was still the predominant foraging strategy (79% of records) to capture mollusks. Despite morphological specialisations to extract mollusks from the shells, the handling time (average = 92.4 s) was twice as much the time between prey search and capture (average = 55 s). The increase in the number of mollusks ingested apparently occurs when the resting time on perches or any other substrates near the hunting sites decreases between successive unsuccessful attempts. The correlation between the number of consumed preys and the climatic variables examined was low. Regarding habitat heterogeneity, our findings suggest that birds forage preferentially in marshes with low vegetation, which may increase the access to mollusks. The hunting efficiency of the snail kite was high (76 % successful attempts) compared to those of other birds of prey.Keywords: feeding, wetlands, predation, trophic ecology. Atividade de forrageio de gavião-caramujeiro, Rostrhamus sociabilis(Aves: Accipitridae) em áreas úmidas do sul do Brasil ResumoO gavião-caramujeiro (Rostrhamus sociabilis) possui ampla distribuição no continente americano e apresenta dieta especializada no molusco gastrópode Pomacea sp. Possivelmente, a estratégia de forrageio da espécie responde às variações sazonais na disponibilidade de presas, bem como aos fatores climáticos, o que pode refletir em seu comportamento seminômade. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a estratégia de caça do gavião-caramujeiro, buscando suas associações quanto aos aspectos climáticos e à heterogeneidade do habitat. Observações diretas das aves, feitas entre janeiro de 2010 e março de 2011 no extremo sul brasileiro, revelaram que, para a captura dos moluscos, as aves usaram predominantemente a estratégia de caça do tipo still hunting (79% dos registros). Apesar de apresentar especializações morfológicas para a extração dos moluscos da concha, a avaliação do tempo empregado na manipulação (média = 92,4 s) foi quase o dobro do desprendido entre a procura e a captura (média = 55 s) das presas. Aparentemente, o aumento no número de moluscos ingeridos ocorre por meio de redução no tempo de repouso entre sucessivas investidas de captura mal sucedidas, tal como pelo uso de poleiros ou quaisquer outros substratos próximos aos locais de captura. O número de presas consumidas apresenta baixa relação com as variáveis climáticas testadas. Quanto à heterogeneidade do habitat, os dados sugerem que as aves forrageiam preferencialmente em ba...

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A device and standard variables to describe microhabitat structure of small mammals based on plant cover

Cited by 52 publications

References 8 publications

Ecological implications on the aggregation of Amblyomma fuscum (Acari: Ixodidae) on Thrichomys laurentius (Rodentia: Echimyidae), in northeastern Brazil

Ecological implications on the aggregation of Amblyomma fuscum (Acari: Ixodidae) on Thrichomys laurentius (Rodentia: Echimyidae), in northeastern Brazil

Microhabitat use by three species of egret (Pelecaniformes, Ardeidae) in southern Brazil

Foraging activity of the snail kite, Rostrhamus sociabilis (Aves: Accipitridae) in wetlands of southern Brazil

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