Factors influencing the variation in capture rates of shrews in southern California, USA

Acta Theriologica
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

We examined the temporal variation in capture rates of shrewsNotiosorex crawfordi (Coues, 1877) and Sorex ornatus (Merriam, 1895) in 20 sites representing fragmented and continuous habitats in southern California, USA. InN. crawfordi, the temporal variation was significantly correlated with the mean capture rates. Of the 6 landscape variables analyzed (size of the landscape, size of the sample area, altitude, edge, longitude and latitude), sample area was positively correlated with variation in capture rates ofN. crawfordi. InS. ornatus, longitude was negatively correlated with variation in capture rates. Analysis of the effect of precipitation on the short- and long-term capture rates at 2 of the sites showed no correlation between rainfall and capture rates of shrews even though peak number of shrews at both sites were reached during the year of highest amount of rainfall. A key problem confounding capture rates of shrews in southern California is the low overall abundance of both shrew species in all habitats and seasons.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Factors influencing the variation in capture rates of shrews in southern California, USA
Series title Acta Theriologica
DOI 10.1007/BF03194155
Volume 48
Issue 2
Year Published 2003
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) Western Ecological Research Center
Description 10 p.
First page 157
Last page 166
Country United States
State California
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details