Demographic features and habitat preferences of osgoodomys banderanus (Osgood's deermouse) in Colima, Mexico
Abstract
Osgoodomys banderanus (Osgood's deermouse) was studied in January 2006 and 2007 in north-central Colima, Mexico. During 8 nights each year, five mark-recapture grids were established with elevated and ground traps. For 16,000 trap-nights, 123 individuals were captured 385 times (comprising 9.4% of captures on grids); one-third of captures were in elevated traps. The ratio of males to females was 1.51:1 (significantly different from 1:1). No sexual dimorphism in mass was detected, 84.4% were adults, and 41.5% of adult females were pregnant or lactating. Average distance between successive captures was 19.62 m, and average distance from a central point of capture was 12.74 m. Osgoodomys banderanus was captured on 6 of 10 grids (densities 0.76-30.55 individuals/ha). Probability of capture or recapture was influenced by trapping night, with probabilities peaking on nights 6 and 7. Habitat preferences were based on 14 environmental variables taken at each trapping station. Logistic regression indicated O. banderanus preferred higher canopies, closer trees, more rocks, and less grass; a model developed with nonparametric multiplicative regression consisted of the first three of these variables. Osgoodomys banderanus exhibited strong preferences for rocky areas with less dense ground cover, a more open understory, and a tall canopy.
Publication Title
Southwestern Naturalist
Recommended Citation
Poindexter, C., Schnell, G., Sánchez-Hernández, C., Romero-Almaraz, M., Kennedy, M., Best, T., Wooten, M., & Waits, J. (2013). Demographic features and habitat preferences of osgoodomys banderanus (Osgood's deermouse) in Colima, Mexico. Southwestern Naturalist, 58 (1), 8-19. https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-58.1.8
