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Effects of altitude and vegetation on small-mammal distribution in the Urucum Mountains, western Brazil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2011

Nilton Carlos Caceres ,
Maurício Neves Godoi ,
Wellington Hannibal  and
Vanda Lúcia Ferreira
Nilton Carlos Caceres*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Ecology and Biogeography, Departamento de Biologia, CCNE, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Bairro Camobi, Santa Maria, RS, 97.110–970, Brazil
Maurício Neves Godoi
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, CCBS, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, CCBS, C.P. 549, Campo Grande, MS, 79.070–900, Brazil
Wellington Hannibal
Affiliation:
Rua Cláudio Fernando Stella, 5 Conjunto Elídio Telles de Oliveira, Aquidauana, MS, 79200-000, Brazil
Vanda Lúcia Ferreira
Affiliation:
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, CCBS, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, CCBS, C.P. 549, Campo Grande, MS, 79.070–900, Brazil
*
1Corresponding author. Email: niltoncaceres@gmail.com
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Abstract:

We conducted a study on small-mammal composition, abundance and diversity across altitudinal and vegetational gradients in the Urucum Mountains (from 150 to 1000 m asl) in western Brazil, a complex biogeographic region. Small mammals were collected in 31 sampling units distributed along altitudinal and vegetational gradients (forest and grassland), totalling 18 112 trap-nights for pitfall and 3500 trap-nights for live-trap. Community variation among sampling units was assessed by randomization tests, setting altitude, vegetation, locality and time as factors, and using presence/absence data. Correlation and logistic regression analyses were run for species and diversity along gradients of altitude and vegetation, according to abundance and presence/absence data. Nineteen species (seven marsupial and 12 rodent) and 355 individuals were recorded. The species composition of small mammals differed according to altitude, vegetation type, locality and time. Species diversity varied significantly according to altitude. Species were influenced solely by altitude or vegetation, or by both vegetation and altitude concomitantly. The small-mammal community was divided in two groups according to biogeographic affinities. The grassland group is capable of invading forest habitats. The results are discussed in light of current hypotheses that attempt to explain community variation along altitudinal gradients around the world.

Keywords

altitudinal gradientbiogeographic influenceforest-grassland ecotonehabitat selectionmid-domain hypothesis
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , May 2011 , pp. 279 - 287
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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