Microhabitat selection by two rodent species in the cerrado of Central Brazil

Abstract

We examined differences in microhabitat utilization by two sympatric rodents in the Brazilian cerrado (tropical savanna). We censused the populations by livetrapping techniques in March and May 1984, and simultaneously we measured a set of eight microhabitat variables. Patterns of habitat utilization and species relationships were examined with t tests, Mann Whitney-U tests and regression analysis. The two species differed markedly in three microhabitat variables : plant species richness (PSR), forb ground cover (FGC) and distance to nearest tree or shrub (DTS). Bolomys lasiurus was a generalist associated with high richness and high cover of forbs, shrubs and trees. Oxymycterus roberti was associated with a less diverse lower forb, shrub, tree cover and higher grass ground cover (GGC). Regression analysis showed that the most important estimator of Bolomys lasiurus abundance was GGC and tree and shrub cover TSC. For Oxymycterus roberti, FGC, PSR and TSC. The differences in microhabitat variables between these two species, could be related to foraging mode and/or predation avoidance.

A simple graphical model of small mammal succession after fire in the Brazilian cerrado / Un modèle graphique simple de repeuplement par les petits mammifères du cerrado brésilen après brûlis

“…Henriques personal observation). The initial colonists are terrestrial granivorous/folivores rodent species (Borchert and Hansen 1983, Briani 2001, Vieira 2002, which prefer areas with higher herbaceous cover and relatively low woody cover (Lacher et al 1989, Henriques and Alho 1991, Henriques et al 1997). The later successional stages include semi-arboreal and arboreal frugivorous/insectivorous species (Briani 2001, Vieira 2002.…”

Personality and behavioural syndrome in Necromys lasiurus (Rodentia: Cricetidae): notes on dispersal and invasion processes

“…Since the species does not show limitations in habitat use, it is sometimes considered a generalist (e.g. Henriques and Alho 1991;Bonvicino et al 2002;Santos and Henriques 2010). The species occurs in all sorts of open areas and is currently abundant in anthropogenic vegetation (agriculturally managed and pasture areas) and in very disturbed areas within the Atlantic Forest biome in ecotone zones (Bonvicino et al 2002(Bonvicino et al , 2008Estavillo et al 2013), expanding regionally its distribution to these newly disturbed areas produced by anthropic activities.…”

Variação espacial e influência do habitat na estrutura de comunidades de pequenos mamíferos em áreas de campo rupestre no Distrito Federal

“…Parte da explicação para essa alta riqueza de espécies de pequenos mamíferos no Cerrado é atribuída ao elevado grau de especificidade pelo tipo de habitat, com diferenças marcantes na composição de espécies de pequenos mamíferos entre as fisionomias vegetais (Alho et al 1986, Mares et al 1986, Henriques et al 1997, Lacher Jr. & Alho 2001. Além disso, várias espécies de pequenos mamíferos do Cerrado apresentam especialização a um determinado microhabitat, no mesmo tipo fisionômico de vegetação (Lacher Jr. & Alho 1989, Henriques & Alho 1991. Dessa maneira, o alto grau de especificidade das espécies de pequenos mamíferos a um determinado habitat e microhabitat associado à heterogeneidade da vegetação do Cerrado, pode explicar o aumento da riqueza, assim como a alta diversidade beta entre as comunidades do Cerrado encontrado por Marinho-Filho et al (1994).…”