Assessing small mammal abundance with track-tube indices and mark-recapture population estimates
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Abstract
We compared track-tube sampling with mark–recapture livetrapping and evaluated a track-tube index, defined as the number of track tubes with identifiable small mammal tracks during a 4-night period, as a predictor of small mammal abundance estimates in North Dakota grasslands. Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were the most commonly recorded species by both methods, but were underrepresented in track-tube sampling, whereas 13-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) and Franklin's ground squirrels (S. franklinii) were overrepresented in track-tube sampling. Estimates of average species richness were lower from track tubes than from livetrapping. Regression models revealed that the track-tube index was at best a moderately good predictor of small mammal population estimates because both the form (linear versus curvilinear) and slope of the relationship varied between years. In addition, 95% prediction intervals indicated low precision when predicting population estimates from new track-tube index observations. Track tubes required less time and expense than mark–recapture and eliminated handling of small mammals. Using track tubes along with mark–recapture in a double sampling for regression framework would have potential value when attempting to estimate abundance of small mammals over large areas.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Assessing small mammal abundance with track-tube indices and mark-recapture population estimates |
| Series title | Journal of Mammalogy |
| DOI | 10.1644/06-MAMM-A-098R1.1 |
| Volume | 88 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2007 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Oxford |
| Contributing office(s) | Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 11 p. |
| First page | 250 |
| Last page | 260 |
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