Microhabitat selection and daily movements of two rodents (Necromys iasiurus and Oryzomys scotti) in Brazilian Cerrado, as revealed by a spool-and-line device

摘要

Studies on patterns of habitat use by mammals are necessary for understanding the mechanisms involved in their distribution and abundance. In this study, we used the spool-and-line method to investigate habitat utilization by two sigmodontine rodentsfrom Brazilian Cerrado, Necromys Iasiurus and Oryzomys scotti. We conducted the study in a Cerrado area in central Brazil (15 deg 56 min S and e 47 deg 6 min W) where the animals were caught in an area of 7.68 ha of Cerrado sensu stricto. Captured individuals were marked, equipped with a spool-and-line device, and released at the same capture point. The next day we followed the thread to record their daily movements and find their nests. To investigate microhabitat selection we compared habitat characteristics along trails of each studied species with general habitat characteristics of the study area. Although the mean 24-h distance was greater for N. Iasiurus (mean +- SE: 41.9 +- 42.2 m, N=3) than for 0. scotti (28.7 +- 14.2 m, N=6) this difference was not significant (Mann-Whitney test, U=26, P>0.6). We detected significant differences among observed microhabitats variables of both species and available microhabitat characteristics as determined by discriminant analysis (Wilks's lambda F=3.001; df=14, 116; P<0.001). Both species were associated to microhabitat characteristics whose values differed markedly from the overall available habitat. Along the first canonical discriminant function of the DFA both them were associated with greater grass height than the mean height available and along the second axis N. Iasiurus selected areas with higher fruit availability and more shelters than those selected by 0. scotti. For stronger inferences regarding differential patterns of habitat utilization by Cerrado rodents we suggest the simultaneous use of both spool-and-line and standard trapping methods.