Habitat preference and nest box use of the small Japanese flying squirrel Pteromys momonga in the Tanzawa Mountains [Japan]
2008
Suzuki, K.(Tokyo Univ. of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa (Japan)) | Ogawa, H. | Amano, T. | Ando, M.
Habitat preference of the small Japanese flying squirrel Pteromys momonga was studied by using 548 nest boxes in the Tanzawa Mountains from March 2005 to January 2006. Investigation of a total of 1,956 boxes revealed that the use ratio of the boxes by the animal was comparable to that of the quite common small Japanese field mouse Apodemus argenteus in Japan. Sign ratios of P. momonga at those boxes were 0.4% at natural forests that were mixed with broad-leaved and fir trees, and 0% at forests dominated by coniferous plantations. The highest sign ratio of 3.9% was recorded at forests where natural forests and coniferous plantations are patchily mixed. General linear model indicated that the forest types, rather than the distances from water places and the elevations of respective sites, were the major factor influencing population density of P. momonga. On the other hand, distribution of A. argenteus was not affected by those factors. Based on the above results, authors proposed forest management policies that were compatible with conservation of small arboreal mammals.
Показать больше [+] Меньше [-]