Demographics, den use, movements, and absence of Leishmania mexicana in southern plains of woodrats (Neotoma micropus)

摘要

Southern plains woodrats (Neotoma micropus; n = 180) from 86 dens were trapped, tagged, and screened for Leishmania during 2,292 trap-rights conducted at the La Copita Research. Area in southern Texas from May 1997 through December 1998. None tested positive for Leishmania. Data on longevity, natality, sex ratio, and density of woodrats at this locality are presented along with ail analysis of the changing occupancies of individual dens arid apparent movements between dens by individual woodrats.