Effect of Red Imported Fire Ants on Habitat Use by Hispid Cotton Rats (Sigmodon Hispidus) and Northern Pygmy Mice (Baiomys Taylori)

Do Invasive Fire Ants Affect Habitat Selection within a Small Mammal Community?

“…Pedersen et al [27] found pigmy mice did not alter habitat use when fire ants were removed and remained in high and low fire ant regions, whereas captures of cotton rats increased in fire ant removal areas and decreased in fire ant present areas. This suggests an interaction between the two species.…”

“…The study area has been used for longterm research [14,16,[23][24][25][26][27] and is divided into a 9-by-9 grid, with 10 m spacing between grid points. Although the study area is relatively small, its importance as a longterm monitoring site provides a solid foundation for the goals of this paper.…”

Low-basal area treatment and prescribed fire to restore oak-pine savannas alter small mammal communities

“…For example, a greater abundance of fire ants were observed in low-BA stands compared to high-BA stands (personal observation, but also reported in other studies, e.g., Todd et al 2008). The greater abundance of fire ants in low-BA stands could explain some of the variation reported (Pedersen et al 2003). Therefore, results should be interpreted cautiously.…”

Red Imported Fire Ant Impacts on Wildlife: A Decade of Research

“…Based on data published in theses or dissertations, they suggested that hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) may be relatively ''immune'' to fire ant impacts, in contrast to other native small mammals. However, Pedersen et al (2003) documented that S. hispidus altered habitat use in the summer in the presence of fire ants, but not in the winter, and that B. taylori exhibited no change in habitat use with fire ants present regardless of season. Wilkins and Broussard (2000) noted that 80% of their small mammal traps in grassland habitat in central Texas were 'infested' with fire ants.…”

“…At the higher levels of exposure (200 fire ants for 60 s), chicks exhibited reduced weight gain (Giuliano et al, 1996). Pedersen et al (1996) examined the response of pen-raised bobwhite chicks to the presence of fire ants. They compared chick behavior in control areas and areas where fire ants were suppressed.…”