Habitat selection by Akodon azarae and Calomys laucha (Rodentia, Muridae) in pampean agroecosystems
Habitat selection is viewed as a hierarchical process, in which scaling effects may be expressed at both biological levels and spatial scales. Different animal species may differ in their perception of habitat heterogeneity, thus differing in their scales of habitat selection, which may favour coexi...
Guardado en:
| Autores principales: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Formato: | JOUR |
| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12110/paper_00251461_v65_n1_p29_Busch |
| Aporte de: |
| Sumario: | Habitat selection is viewed as a hierarchical process, in which scaling effects may be expressed at both biological levels and spatial scales. Different animal species may differ in their perception of habitat heterogeneity, thus differing in their scales of habitat selection, which may favour coexistence. The hypothesis of the present work was that the hierarchical structure of habitat heterogeneity of the pampean agroecosystems is perceived differentially by two small rodent species. The study area mainly consists of crop and pasture fields, surrounded by weedy margins less disturbed by agricultural labours (borders). Small rodents that inhabit these habitats are Akodon azarae (Fischer), Calomys laucha (Olfers), Calomys musculinus (Thomas), Oligoryzomys flavescens (Oryzomys: Waterhouse), Cavia aperea (Thomas) and Mus musculus (Waterhouse). Our goal was to study habitat selection by the two most abundant rodent species (Calomy laucha and Akodon azarae) at different spatial scales and to identify those variables that influence habitat selection. We compared the number of rodent captures among habitat units defined at four different scales. Capture-Mark-Recapture samplings were conducted at winter 1993, spring 1993, early autumn 1994 and early winter 1994. At each trapping session, we registered the number and location of A. azarae and C. laucha captures. At each trap site we recorded the total and green plant cover, height of the vegetation and dominant plant species. According to our results, habitat selection by A. azarae and C. laucha was stronger at macrohabitat and microhabitat levels than at intermediate scales. Plant cover, as well as individual plant species, influenced habitat selection of these rodent species. |
|---|