Structure and Species Composition of Desert Heteromyid Rodent Species Assemblages: Effects of a Simple Habitat Manipulation
1982
Thompson, S. D. (Steven D.)
Habitat manipulation demonstrates that a reduction in the distance between desert shrubs can produce a marked change in the structure and composition of a desert rodent species assemblage. After placement of small cardboard shelters in open areas between shrubs the dominant heteromyid rodent, Dipodomys merriami, declined in abundance and an intermediate—size species, Perognathus fallax, became established. The reduction in interplant distance also produced successful invasion by two species of generalist cricetine rodents belonging to the genus Peromyscus. Reduction of distances between safe foraging sites, which may decrease the risk of predation, increases the number of strategies of spatial utilization available to desert rodents. Thus, predation risk can be an important determinant of both structure and species composition of desert rodent species assemblages.
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