A Novel Method for Monitoring Invertebrates in the Burrows of Small Mammals

摘要

A novel method for surveying motile invertebrates in the burrows of small mammals is proposed. The data obtained are expressed as the number of individuals per trap-day and are therefore comparable with the results obtained using Barber traps. Most small mammals (moles, voles, gerbils, and other species) build elaborate systems of tunnels of different configuration, length, and area (Voronov, 1935; Formozov and Voronov, 1939; Abaturov, 1964, 1967; Formozov, 1989; Bykov, 2005). Burrows of small mammals serve as habitats of various animals, most of all invertebrates.