Ecology of the Monte Desert small mammals in disturbed and undisturbed habitats

Tabeni, Solana; Ojeda, Ricardo A.

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2005.03.009

Cited by 56 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…However, few rodent habitat studies have been conducted in protected natural areas in Argentina (Tabeni and Ojeda 2005;Tabeni et al 2007;Gó mez Villafañe et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Daily Movements and Microhabitat Selection of Hantavirus Reservoirs and Other Sigmodontinae Rodent Species that Inhabit a Protected Natural Area of Argentina

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abundance, distribution, movement patterns, and habitat selection of a reservoir species influence the dispersal of zoonotic pathogens, and hence, the risk for humans. Movements and microhabitat use of rodent species, and their potential role in the transmission of hantavirus were studied in Otamendi Natural Reserve, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Movement estimators and qualitative characteristics of rodent paths were determined by means of a spool and line device method. Sampling was conducted during November and December 2011, and March, April, June, October, and December 2012. Forty-six Oxymycterus rufus, 41 Akodon azarae, 10 Scapteromys aquaticus and 5 Oligoryzomys flavescens were captured. Movement patterns and distances varied according to sex, habitat type, reproductive season, and body size among species. O. flavescens, reservoir of the etiologic agent of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the region, moved short distances, had the most linear paths and did not share paths with other species. A. azarae had an intermediate linearity index, its movements were longer in the highland grassland than in the lowland marsh and the salty grassland, and larger individuals traveled longer distances. O. rufus had the most tortuous paths and the males moved more during the non-breeding season. S. aquaticus movements were associated with habitat type with longer distances traveled in the lowland marsh than in the salty grassland. Hantavirus antibodies were detected in 20% of A. azarae and were not detected in any other species. Seropositive individuals were captured during the breeding season and 85% of them were males. A. azarae moved randomly and shared paths with all the other species, which could promote hantavirus spillover events.

show abstract

“…However, few rodent habitat studies have been conducted in protected natural areas in Argentina (Tabeni and Ojeda 2005;Tabeni et al 2007;Gó mez Villafañe et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Daily Movements and Microhabitat Selection of Hantavirus Reservoirs and Other Sigmodontinae Rodent Species that Inhabit a Protected Natural Area of Argentina

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Small rodents are excellent study organisms because their rapid reproductive cycles allow for observing rapid responses in population density to environmental perturbations. Most studies investigating the impacts of cattle grazing on small mammals obtained results that varied greatly according to the system and region that were being studied (Grant et al 1982;Hayward et al 1997;Matlack et al 2001Matlack et al , 2001Steen et al 2005;Oksanen et al 1999;Tabeni and Ojeda 2005;Damhoureyeh and Hartnett 1997;Smit et al 2001;Evans et al 2006). Owing to this variation, two main hypotheses in the ecological literature are commonly put forward to explain the effects of cattle grazing on the behaviour and ecology of small-rodent species: (1) a decrease of vegetation increases predation risk and thus population density (Kotler 1984;Kotler and Blaustein 1995) and (2) the quality and quantity of vegetation available is influenced by cattle grazing and thus strongly influences habitat use of small rodents (Arsenault and Owen-Smith 2002) and their performance and persistence on the landscape.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of cattle grazing on small-rodent communities: an experimental case study

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We used experimental cattle ungrazed and grazed sites to evaluate what impact different intensities of cattle grazing have on deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845)) and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord, 1815)). Live-trapping of these small rodents was conducted on paired treatment plots (grazed and ungrazed) at Sheep River Provincial Park in southwestern Alberta, Canada. Before grazing started, both rodent species were equally abundant in either grazed or ungrazed sites. Introduction of grazing resulted in strong but differing responses by both rodent species. Deer mice had higher population density (measured as individual animals trapped) in the grazed than in ungrazed plots, but their body mass was negatively correlated with increasing grazing pressure. Meadow voles were more heavily affected by grazing, as a strong avoidance of cattle-grazed plots was observed already at low grazing intensity. In addition, cattle grazing had noticeable effects, impacting the survival, sex and age ratios, and the ectoparasite prevalence of these two rodent populations. We conclude that there are diverse and different levels of impact of cattle grazing on those two rodents, leading to much more complex species interactions than previously thought. We suggest that the presence or absence, density, and body condition of small mammals could be used as a tool for ecosystem health assessment.Résumé : Nous utilisons des sites expérimentaux broutés et non broutés par le bétail afin d'évaluer l'impact de différentes intensités de broutage par le bétail sur les souris du crépuscule (Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845)) et les campagnols de Pennsylvanie (Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord, 1815)). Nous avons procédé à du piégeage vivant de ces petits rongeurs sur des parcelles expérimentales appariées (broutées et non broutées) dans le parc provincial de Sheep River, sud-ouest de l'Alberta, Canada. Avant le début du broutage, les deux espèces de rongeurs étaient également abondantes dans les sites broutés et non broutés. L'introduction du broutage a causé des réactions fortes, mais distinctes, chez les deux espèces de rongeurs. Les souris du crépuscule ont une plus forte densité de population (nombre d'animaux piégés) dans les parcelles broutées que dans les non broutées, mais leur masse corporelle est en corrélation négative avec l'augmentation de la pression de broutage. Les campagnols de Pennsylvanie sont plus affectés par le broutage, puisqu'on observe un évitement des parcelles broutées, dès les faibles intensités de broutage. De plus, le broutage du bétail a des effets observables en modifiant la survie, les rapports des sexes et des âges et la prévalence des ectoparasites chez ces deux populations de rongeurs. Nous concluons qu'il existe des niveaux divers et différents d'impacts du broutage du bétail sur ces deux rongeurs, ce qui représente des interactions beaucoup plus complexes entre les espèces qu'on ne le croyait antérieurement. Nous suggérons d'utiliser la pré-sence ou absence, la densité et la co...

show abstract

“…However, recent studies have showed that many animal populations have the ability to acclimate or adapt to the changes in the original habitats (Morán-López et al 2006;McDougall et al 2006, Sánchez-Hernández et al 2001, Tabeni and Ojeda 2005, Rosalino et al 2014. Several species have even managed to adapt to urban areas, changing their ecological and behavioral patterns to survive in such anthropic environments (e.g., increase in the population density together with a decrease in individual territory sizes, reduction in the migratory behavior, extension of the reproductive period, alteration of the activity rhythms and diet, and an increase in species tolerance toward man Luniak 2004).…”

Section: A New Landscapementioning

confidence: 99%

Wildlife Surveys in Agricultural Landscapes: Terrestrial Medium- to Large-Sized Mammals

Lyra-Jorge

Gheler‐Costa

Piña

et al. 2014

Applied Ecology and Human Dimensions in Biological Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Human-induced changes have drastically modified pristine environments, and the replacement of natural ecosystems constrained the composition and structure of communities that they are made of, due to the modification of ecological processes. Survey and monitoring sampling schemes have been defined and mostly applied to natural environments, which are characterized by a spatial and structural heterogeneity. However, their application to agroforestry areas should take into consideration that these environments are spatially more homogeneous, but present a temporal heterogeneity linked with the production cycles. In this chapter, we present a description of the assumptions, weaknesses, and strengths of the main methods used in surveying and monitoring medium and large mammals. Moreover, we advise researchers to the need to take into consideration the particularities of agroforestry landscapes and adapt

show abstract

Ecology of the Monte Desert small mammals in disturbed and undisturbed habitats

Cited by 56 publications

References 28 publications

Daily Movements and Microhabitat Selection of Hantavirus Reservoirs and Other Sigmodontinae Rodent Species that Inhabit a Protected Natural Area of Argentina

Daily Movements and Microhabitat Selection of Hantavirus Reservoirs and Other Sigmodontinae Rodent Species that Inhabit a Protected Natural Area of Argentina

Impacts of cattle grazing on small-rodent communities: an experimental case study

Wildlife Surveys in Agricultural Landscapes: Terrestrial Medium- to Large-Sized Mammals

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About