Differences in swimming and diving abilities between two sympatric species of water shrews: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neomys anomalus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neomys</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">fodiens</Emphasis> (Soricidae)

Swimming and diving abilities of two syntopic species of water shrews, Neomys anomalus and Neomys fodiens, were tested in aquaria using video recordings taken from three views (lateral distant, lateral close and dorsal). The frequency and total duration of diving, as well as the mean duration of diving and floating bouts, were significantly higher in N. fodiens than in N. anomalus. Frequency of paddling during surface swimming was lower in N. fodiens than in N. anomalus. N. fodiens dived mainly for long distances at the bottom of the aquarium and performed a wider range of dive profiles than N. anomalus, which preferred rather short and shallow dives. The two species differed also significantly in their fineness ratios (describing how streamlined their bodies are) when diving. When swimming, N. fodiens had a relatively wider body and performed narrower movements with its tail than N. anomalus. These results show quantitatively and qualitatively for the first time that N. fodiens is more proficient at swimming and diving than N. anomalus. The results also help to explain the inter-specific differences in efficiency of underwater foraging, and support the idea of segregation of ecological niches of these species based on their different foraging modes (diving vs. wading).     

Effects of latitude and allopatry on body size variation in European water shrews

We studied the intra- and interspecific size variability of 271 water shrewsNeomys fodiens (Pennant, 1771) andN. anomalus Cabrera, 1907 from seven sample sites along a latitudinal transect from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Poland.Neomys anomalus was the only water shrew in three Dinaride karst fields, while it was sympatric with N.fodiens in remaining sites. The first principal component scores (PC1; 72.2% of variance explained), derived from principal components analysis of 13 cranial, mandibular and dental measurements, were used as the size factor. One-way ANOVA detected significant interpopulation variation in both species; intraspecific variation, however, was much more pronounced inN. anomalus. No latitudinal size pattern was found in N. fodiens (r = −0.42, p = 0.58), while mean PC1 scores correlated significantly and negatively with latitude inN. anomalus (r = −0.92, p = 0.004). Therefore, along a north to south transect,N. anomalus converged in size towards N. fodiens, which suggests that the former species occupies increasingly more aquatic habitats in the same direction. Individuals from allopatric populations ofN. anomalus from Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were, on average, larger than sympatric conspecific populations from the same latitudinal zone, which is consistent with the hypothesis of character displacement.     

Bergmann’s rule for Neomys fodiens in the middle of the distribution range

The body size of Palearctic Sorex shrews decreases at higher latitudes, and as such the Bergmann’s rule does not work. However, no analysis has ever been done for water shrew (Neomys fodiens) in the middle of distribution range. Analysis of available literature data showed that some body and skull measurements of N. fodiens are negatively correlated to latitude. Measurements of 158 water shrews from Estonia and Lithuania were also analyzed with respect to the short scale latitudinal pattern. We found that populations are separated (Wilk’s lambda = 0.363, p<0.0001). Differences are related to PC1 (skull size), explaining 49.80% of the variance and PC2 (body size), explaining 10.06% of the variance. Estonian shrews are smaller in their body and skull (most differences significant) and their skulls are relatively shorter and wider in the area of the brain case. Thus, the negative correlation of body and skull size to latitude in N. fodiens is applicable even over quite short latitudinal distances. Further analysis of diagnostic characters between N. fodiens and N. anomalus is required.     

Prey size, prey nutrition, and food handling by shrews of different body sizes

We tested some predictions relating metabolic constraints offoraging behavior and prey selection by comparing food handlingand utilization in four sympatric shrew species: Sorex minutus(mean body mass = 3.0 g), S. araneus (8.0 g), Neomys anomalus(10.0 g), and N. fodiens (14.4 g). Live fly larvae, mealwormlarvae, and aquatic arthropods were offered to shrews as smallprey (body mass <0.1 g). Live earthworms, snails, and smallfish were offered as large prey (>0.3 g). The larvae werethe high-nutrition food (>8 kJ/g), and the other prey werethe low-nutrition food (<4 kJ/g). The smallest shrew, S.minutus, utilized (ate + hoarded) <30% of offered food,and the other species utilized >48% of food. The largerthe shrew, the more prey it ate per capita. However, highlyenergetic insect larvae composed 75% of food utilized by S.minutus and only >40% of the food utilized by the other species. Thus, inverse relationships appeared between shrewbody mass and mass-specific food mass utilization and betweenshrew body mass and mass-specific food energy utilization:the largest shrew, N. fodiens, utilized the least food massand the least energy quantity per 1 g of its body mass. Also,the proportion of food hoarded by shrews decreased with increase in size of shrew. With the exception of S. araneus, the sizeof prey hoarded by the shrews was significantly larger thanthe size of prey eaten. Tiny S. minutus hoarded and ate smallerprey items than the other shrews, and large N. fodiens hoardedlarger prey than the other shrews.     

Overlap of temporal niches among four sympatric species of shrews

Hypotheses about the dependence of circadian activity from metabolic rate and the segregation of temporal niches among competing species were verified by the study of activity patterns in a shrew community of two semiaquatic species,Neomys anomalus Cabrera, 1907 andN. fodiens (Pennant, 1771), and two terrestrial species,Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758 andS. minutus Linnaeus, 1766, co-existing in wet habitats of Białowieża Forest (E Poland). In ten trapping sessions, performed in early summer between 1991 and 2000, traps were open 24 hours continuously and patrolled at 1:00, 5:00, 10:00, 15:00, and 20:00. All the shrew species were most active between 20:00 and 1:00, and least active around mid-day (10:00–15:00). However, activity of the twoSorex species was lower than that of the twoNeomys species in the period 20:00–1:00, but higher in the period 15:00–20:00. BothNeomys species displayed clearly nocturnal, unimodal patterns of activity. In contrast, activity of bothSorex species was relatively evenly distributed over 24 hours and they increased their activity earlier (ie after 15:00) than bothNeomys species (after 20:00). These results confirm the idea that small shrew species with higher metabolic rate have more frequent and more equally distributed activity bouts than large species. Overlap of temporal niches was the highest within genera (99.29% between bothNeomys species and 98.36% between bothSorex species), the lowest betweenN. fodiens andS. araneus (88.26%) andS. minutus (89.34%), and intermediate betweenN. anomalus and bothSorex species (91.78 and 93.34%, respectively). Such high interspecific overlaps in activity suggest a joint-action of other mechanisms that separate ecological niches of these species also in other dimensions (eg food, microhabitat).     

Evaluation of the physiological activity of venom from the Eurasian water shrew <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neomys fodiens</Emphasis>

Background

Animal toxins can have medical and therapeutic applications. Principally, toxins produced by insects, arachnids, snakes and frogs have been characterized. Venomous mammals are rare, and their venoms have not been comprehensively investigated. Among shrews, only the venom of Blarina brevicauda has been analysed so far, and blarina toxin has been proven to be its main toxic component. It is assumed that Neomys fodiens employs its venom to hunt larger prey. However, the toxic profile, properties and mode of action of its venom are largely unknown. Therefore, we analysed the cardio-, myo- and neurotropic properties of N. fodiens venom and saliva of non-venomous Sorex araneus (control tests) in vitro in physiological bioassays carried out on two model organisms: beetles and frogs. For the first time, we fractionated N. fodiens venom and S. araneus saliva by performing chromatographic separation. Next, the properties of selected compounds were analysed in cardiotropic bioassays in the Tenebrio molitor heart.

Results

The venom of N. fodiens caused a high decrease in the conduction velocity of the frog sciatic nerve, as well as a significant decrease in the force of frog calf muscle contraction. We also recorded a significant decrease in the frog heart contractile activity. Most of the selected compounds from N. fodiens venom displayed a positive chronotropic effect on the beetle heart. However, one fraction caused a strong decrease in the T. molitor heart contractile activity coupled with a reversible cardiac arrest. We did not observe any responses of the insect heart and frog organs to the saliva of S. araneus. Preliminary mass spectrometry analysis revealed that calmodulin-like protein, thymosin β-10, hyaluronidase, lysozyme C and phospholipase A2 are present in the venom of N. fodiens, whereas thymosin β4, lysozyme C and β-defensin are present in S. araneus saliva.

Conclusion

Our results showed that N. fodiens venom has stronger paralytic properties and lower cardioinhibitory activity. Therefore, it is highly probable that N. fodiens might use its venom as a prey immobilizing agent. We also confirmed that S. araneus is not a venomous mammal because its saliva did not exhibit any toxic effects.

     

Space: A non-limiting resource in the niches of some abundant coral reef gastropods

Given the importance attributed to the occupation of space in benthic coral reef communities, this study asks the question: are any particular microhabitat types limiting resources for an assemblage of worm-eating gastropods on Heron reef (Great Barrier Reef). Microhabitat resource use was measured on three occasions, separated by 12 and 20-month periods. The gastropod populations were typical of those of other Indo-Pacific sites with respect to mean shell size and density. Fluctuations in species' size and density are assumed to have not significantly influenced availability of microhabitat resources. Gastropods occurred mainly in the structurally complex “refuge” microhabitats during the day and showed an increased abundance in smooth, exposed, “foraging” microhabitat nocturnally. Nassarius gaudiosus is the most extreme microhabitat specialist diurnally and the most extreme microhabitat generalist nocturnally. A similar, although less pronounced trend was exhibited by other gastropod species. Microhabitat niche overlap was high for Conus coronatus, C. miliaris, C. flavidus, Vasum turbinellus and N. gaudiosus at night and was also high during the day for all these species except N. gaudiosus, which showed little overlap with other gastropod species diurnally. Using gastropod abundance data from all samples, and independently derived microhabitat abundance data, multiple regression analysis demonstrated:

1. A significant relationship between the abundances of N. gaudiosus, C. coronatus, and C. flavidus and the abundance of microhabitat 2 (sand under rocks=“refuge”).
2. No positive association between gastropod abundance and the abundance of microhabitat 7a (thin layer of algal-bound sand on reef limestone).

Only N. gaudiosus is abundant in microhabitat 2. Therefore it is concluded that, with some exceptions, microhabitat abundance does not have a significant influence, directly or indirectly, on gastropod abundance. It is possible that density-independent mortality is maintaining gastropod densities below that at which competitive interactions, with respect to microhabitats, have significant effects on the gastropods' use of those resources.     

The Mercury Content and Antioxidant System in Insectivorous Animals (Insectivora,Mammalia) and Rodents (Rodentia,Mammalia) of Various Ecogenesis Conditions

This study is aimed at analyzing the total mercury in the tissues of mammals adapted to a semiaquatic or subterranean lifestyle and at analyzing the possible role of their antioxidant system in heavy metal detoxication. The water shrew Neomis fodiens Pennant, 1771, European mole Talpa europaea Linnaeus, 1758, muskrat Ondatra zibethicus Linnaeus, 1766, and water vole Arvicola terrestris Linnaeus, 1758 were the species under study. Our results indicate that mercury accumulation in the tissue depends on the age, tissue type, and diet of the species. The highest mercury content was recorded in water shrew tissues compared to other species. Age-dependent accumulation of the toxicant in the animals is reported. A correlation between mercury accumulation and catalase activity in the kidneys of the animals studied was found.     

Intra- and interspecific antagonistic behaviour in two sympatric species of water shrews:Neomys fodiens andN. anomalus

Ethological mechanisms which diminish the aggression and competition among sympatricNeomys fodiens (Pennant, 1771) [FF] andN. anomalus Cabrera, 1907 [AA] were studied in enclosure conditions. The animals were kept and subsequently tested (11 FF and 10 AA) in 1- or 2-species groups, in enclosures measuring 275×135 cm or 135×135 cm. During 240 h of direct observation, social behaviours and patterns of hiding-place usage by water shrews were recorded. Mutual avoidance (individual occupation of the nest boxes, territoriality, and spatial dispersion in the enclosure), active antagonism (threats, combats, chases) and absence of typical social hierarchy were the most characteristic intraspecific relations of FF. A high level of tolerance and group-occupation of the nest boxes were the most characteristic intraspecific relations of AA in socially stabilized communities. It seems that a group model of life without hierarchic relations is appropriate for this species. In mixed groups, FF dominated over AA. Over the course of time, the stabilization of interspecific relations and decrease of interspecific conflicts were observed. This may be the result of the habituation of one species to the presence of another, and of active avoidance of predominant species by submissive species (assemblage in 1 nest box, maintenance of distance), in which the same, or very similar, communication systems could be involved.     

Use of arboreal and terrestrial space by a small mammal community in a tropical rain forest in Borneo, Malaysia

Aim Small mammals were live‐trapped in a primary rain forest to evaluate the relative distribution of species to each other and to microhabitat properties on the ground and in the canopy. Location Kinabalu National Park in Borneo, Sabah, Malaysia. Methods Seven trapping sessions were conducted along two grids with 31 trap points at distances of 20 m on the ground and in the lower canopy at an average height of 13.5 m. Results Species diversity and abundance of small mammals proved to be high: 20 species of the families Muridae, Sciuridae, Tupaiidae, Hystricidae, Viverridae and Lorisidae were trapped, with murids being dominant in both habitat layers. The terrestrial community was significantly more diverse with 16 captured species (Shannon–Wiener's diversity index = 2.47), while 11 species were trapped in the canopy ( = 1.59). The Whitehead's rat, Maxomys whiteheadi, and the red spiny rat, Maxomys surifer, dominated the terrestrial community whereas the large pencil‐tailed tree mouse, Chiropodomys major, was by far the most abundant species in the canopy. Other abundant species of the canopy community, the dark‐tailed tree rat, Niviventer cremoriventer, and the lesser treeshrew, Tupaia minor, were also abundant on the ground, and there was no clear boundary between arboreal and terrestrial species occurrences. Main conclusions As most species were not confined to specific microhabitats or habitat layers, species seemed to rely on resources not necessarily restricted to certain microhabitats or habitat layers, and separation of species probably resulted mainly from a species’ concentrated activity in a preferred microhabitat rather than from principal adaptations to certain habitats. Ecological segregation was stronger in the more diverse terrestrial community, though microhabitat selection was generally not sufficient to explain the co‐occurrences of species and the variability between local species assemblages. Constraints on small mammal foraging efficiency in the three‐dimensional more complex canopy may be responsible for the similarity of microhabitat use of all common arboreal species. Community composition was characterized by mobile species with low persistence rates, resulting in a high degree of variability in local species assemblages with similar turnover rates in both habitats.     

Comparison of diet and prey selectivity of the Pyrenean desman and the Eurasian water shrew using next-generation sequencing methods

In this study, the interactions between two semi-aquatic mammals, the endangered Pyrenean desman Galemys pyrenaicus and the Eurasian water shrew Neomys fodiens, were investigated through the analysis of their summer diet using next-generation sequencing methods, combined with analyses of prey selectivity and trophic overlap. The diet of these predators was highly diverse including 194 and 205 genera for G. pyrenaicus and N. fodiens respectively. Overall, both species exhibited rather non-selective foraging strategies as the most frequently consumed invertebrates were also the most frequent and abundant in the streams. This supported a generalist foraging behaviour for G. pyrenaicus and N. fodiens in the study area. The Pianka index (0.4) indicated a significant but moderate dietary overlap as G. pyrenaicus mostly relied on prey with aquatic stages whereas prey of N. fodiens were mainly terrestrial. Moreover, no difference in G. pyrenaicus prey consumption was found in presence or absence of N. fodiens. A differential use of trophic resources through mechanisms such as plastic feeding behaviour or differences in foraging micro-habitat are likely to facilitate the coexistence between these two mammal species.     

Habitat selection and coexistence in small mammals of the southern Andean foothills (Argentina)

Habitat partitioning is considered one of the main mechanisms of coexistence among small mammals. This is especially evident in arid environments where resources are particularly scarce. Habitat characteristics such as vegetation heterogeneity and complexity are expected to increase species coexistence, increasing the number of microhabitats that can be occupied by species with different requirements. The Andean foothills can be considered as an ecotone between the Monte and Altoandina phytogeographic provinces as they harbor species from both. Consequently more species are thought to coexist in this area. The objectives of this study were to assess the macro- and microhabitat selection of the small mammal assemblage inhabiting the Andean foothills during wet and dry season and to determine how animals segregate environmental resources to ensure their coexistence. We found that habitat selection occurs at both scales in the Andean foothills. Two species, Eligmodontia moreni and Phyllotis xanthophygus, were capable of distinguishing among macrohabitat types, whereas all species showed habitat selection at the microhabitat scale. We registered selection during both seasons, with some overlap of resource selection during the wet season and the greatest segregation of microhabitat resources during the dry season. Therefore, this work evidence that the assembly of small mammals is sensitive to habitat structure especially in dry seasons where resources are constraints due to arid conditions of Andean foothills.     

Beobachtungen zum Paarungs- und Aufzuchtverhalten der Wasserspitzmaus Neomys fodiens (Soricidae)

Five European Water Shrews (Neomys fodiens) were kept in an indoor enclosure of 2.7 m² where one couple mated regularly. Multiple copulations appeared over a period of about 12 hours. Ten litters with 56 offspring were born and 33 survived. The female gave birth to her latest litter at an age of about 20 month, 2 month later as the end of the reported lifespan in nature. The period of fertility lasted 336 days and is comparable to those of Crocidura. At the end of this period three times signs of pseudopregnancy were detected: After copulating the female started building her nest and intensified this behaviour after about three weeks, at the end of the expected “gestation” swollen nipples could also be noticed, but no offspring inside the nest. The female died at an age of about 38 month.After successful copulations a copulatory lock was achieved and the female could track her mate. The mating behaviour can be classified as follows: a) male entering female's territory, b) precopulatory chasing, c) approaching of the mates, d) mounting and repeated copulations attempts, e) successful copulation, male slipping down from female's back, f) copulatory lock and resting, g) cleaning sexual organs, h) continuing chasing and further copulations or i) displacing the male and finishing sexual behaviour. Driving off the male from female's territory could last some time. No special calls were uttered in the close context of copulatory behaviour, only the known ones while chasing, some low contact calls inside the nest and aggressive calls while driving off the male.     

Identifying conservation priorities when data are scanty: A case study with small mammals in Italy

Species prioritisation is an important component of conservation strategies. However, identifying species that are threatened is not easy for many taxa that lack detailed information on distribution and population trends. We propose a ranking system for small mammals, based on their degree of vulnerability and their conservation value. Scores were derived from data on life history traits and ecological requirements of individual species, with respect to their sensitivity to changes in landscape and the composition and qualities of ecosystems. Twelve variables were considered, related to the distribution, demography, ecological adaptability, and their endemism and taxonomic diversification. Rodents with the highest score values were either characteristic of mountain habitats (Apodemus alpicola, Chionomys nivalis and Marmota marmota), typical of lowlands (Micromys minutus) or forest species (dormice), and they were also short living, with few reproduction events. Top ranking Soricomorpha were endemic (Crocidura sicula, C. pachyura), range restricted (Sorex alpinus, Talpa caeca) and habitat specialists (Neomys fodiens, N. anomalus), and were further characterised by low reproduction, low dispersal ability, and restricted elevation range. The factors used in the score system were able to emphasise localised endemisms that could be recognised in the future whenever subspecies should be promoted to the rank of species. Soricomorpha, highlighted in the IUCN national red list as nearly threatened or for the absence of information, ranked at the top of our list. The methodological framework proposed here could be used when a pool of species needs to be evaluated for further investigation or conservation actions, helping by focusing on species that are more sensitive to habitat changes or have an intrinsic conservation value.     

Anthropogenic disturbance as a driver of microspatial and microhabitat segregation of cytotypes of Centaurea stoebe and cytotype interactions in secondary contact zones

Background and Aims

In a mixed-ploidy population, strong frequency-dependent mating will lead to the elimination of the less common cytotype, unless prezygotic barriers enhance assortative mating. However, such barriers favouring cytotype coexistence have only rarely been explored. Here, an assessment is made of the mechanisms involved in formation of mixed-ploidy populations and coexistence of diploid plants and their closely related allotetraploid derivates from the Centaurea stoebe complex (Asteraceae).

Methods

An investigation was made of microspatial and microhabitat distribution, life-history and fitness traits, flowering phenology, genetic relatedness of cytotypes and intercytotype gene flow (cpDNA and microsatellites) in six mixed-ploidy populations in Central Europe.

Key Results

Diploids and tetraploids were genetically differentiated, thus corroborating the secondary origin of contact zones. The cytotypes were spatially segregated at all sites studied, with tetraploids colonizing preferentially drier and open microhabitats created by human-induced disturbances. Conversely, they were rare in more natural microsites and microsites with denser vegetation despite their superior persistence ability (polycarpic life cycle). The seed set of tetraploid plants was strongly influenced by their frequency in mixed-ploidy populations. Triploid hybrids originated from bidirectional hybridizations were extremely rare and almost completely sterile, indicating a strong postzygotic barrier between cytotypes.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that tetraploids are later immigrants into already established diploid populations and that anthropogenic activities creating open niches favouring propagule introductions were the major factor shaping the non-random distribution and habitat segregation of cytotypes at fine spatial scale. Establishment and spread of tetraploids was further facilitated by their superior persistence through the perennial life cycle. The results highlight the importance of non-adaptive spatio-temporal processes in explaining microhabitat and microspatial segregation of cytotypes.     

Trophic Niche Differentiation and Microhabitat Utilization in a Species‐rich Montane Forest Small Mammal Community of Eastern Madagascar

Unraveling the mechanisms facilitating species coexistence in communities is a central theme in ecology. Species‐rich tropical mammal communities provide excellent settings to explore such mechanisms as they often harbor numerous congeneric species with close phylogenetic relationships. Explicit tests for the mechanisms that allow syntopic occurrence in these assemblages, however, is often hampered because of the difficulty in obtaining detailed ecological data on the organisms making up the community. Using stable nitrogen and carbon ratios of hair samples, we examine whether trophic niche differentiation and microhabitat segregation explain the coexistence of 21 small mammal species at a montane humid forest site in eastern Madagascar. Overall, the community was trophically diverse and covered wide isotopic space. This diversity was based on: (1) a multi‐layered trophic community structure with mainly frugivorous‐granivorous rodents (subfamily Nesomyinae) as primary consumers and insectivorous tenrecs (family Tenrecidae) as secondary and tertiary consumers; (2) trophic segregation of rodents and tenrecs with the latter occupying different microhabitats; and (3) a dense and regular packing of species in the community. The 12 locally occurring Microgale shrew tenrecs (subfamily Oryzorictinae) showed high trophic redundancy, but were maximally spaced from each other within the trophic space covered by the genus. Results of stable isotope analysis suggest that in combination the differentiation of microhabitats and trophic niches explain the coexistence of small mammals in this community. Congeneric species appeared to be under more intense competition compared with non‐congeneric species and their coexistence can only partly be explained by trophic and microhabitat niche segregation.     

Behavioural mechanisms of conflict avoidance among shrews

Stable co-existence of similar species should be facilitated by mechanisms impairing, besides exploitative, interference competition. We investigated avoidance of intra- and interspecific conflicts in a four-species community of shrews [Sorex minutus Linnaeus, 1766,S. araneus Linnaeus, 1758,Neomys anomalus Cabrera, 1907, andN. fodiens (Pennant, 1771)], using the method of dyadic encounters in a neutral arena. We tested whether the use of passive (habituation, reduction of mobility, increase of inter-individual distance, and stillness) and active (‘to-and-fro’ and ‘keeping distance’ behaviours) forms of conflict avoidance depends on species, size or domination rank. The duration of conflicts was positively correlated with mobility and negatively with inter-individual distance, whereas it was unrelated to time of stillness and the active forms. The repertoire of conflict avoidance mechanisms was not species-specific and the display of these mechanisms depended rather on the size and domination rank of animals participating in a given interaction. In contrast to rodents, shrews did not avoid conflicts by the most passive forms: freeze and stillness reactions. All other forms were used with a higher or lower efficiency by all species. However, consistent with our predictions, large shrews (asN. fodiens) used mainly the passive mechanisms of conflicts avoidance (‘wait-and-see’ strategy), whereas small shrews (asS. minutus) invest proportionally more time in active forms (‘escape’ strategy).     

Microhabitat characteristics of Akodon montensis,a reservoir for hantavirus,and hantaviral seroprevalence in an Atlantic forest site in eastern Paraguay

Hantaviruses may cause serious disease when transmitted to humans by their rodent hosts. Since their emergence in the Americas in 1993, there have been extensive efforts to understand the role of environmental factors on the presence of these viruses in their host rodent populations. HPS outbreaks have been linked to precipitation, but climatic factors alone have not been sufficient to predict the spatial‐temporal dynamics of the environment‐reservoir‐virus system. Using a series of mark‐recapture sampling sites located at the Mbaracayú Biosphere Reserve, an Atlantic Forest site in eastern Paraguay, we investigated the hypothesis that microhabitat might also influence the prevalence of Jaborá hantavirus within populations of its reservoir species, Akodon montensis. Seven trapping sessions were conducted during 2005‐2006 at four sites chosen to capture variable microhabitat conditions within the study site. Analysis of microhabitat preferences showed that A. montensis preferred areas with little forest overstory and denser vegetation cover on and near the ground. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the microhabitat occupied by antibody‐positive vs antibody‐negative rodents, indicating that microhabitats with greater overstory cover may promote transmission and maintenance of hantavirus in A. montensis.     

The influence of wild boar <Emphasis Type="Italic">(Sus scrofa)</Emphasis> on microhabitat quality for the endangered butterfly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrgus malvae</Emphasis> in the Netherlands

The decline of open habitats in Europe, such as semi-natural grasslands and heathlands, has caused a general decline in biodiversity, which has been well documented for butterflies. Current conservation practices often involve grazing by domestic livestock to maintain suitable butterfly habitats. The extent to which wild ungulates may play a similar role remains largely unknown. Through their rooting activity, wild boar could be effective to reduce grass encroachment and restore pioneer microhabitats that are vital to many grassland insects in temperate climates. Here, we assessed the microhabitat requirements of Pyrgus malvae, an endangered butterfly of heathland and grassland habitats in the Netherlands, with special attention for the influence of wild boar rooting. To date, oviposition site selection of this species has concentrated on calcareous grasslands, whereas we also include heathlands. Overall, larval occupancy was higher in warm, open and sparsely vegetated microhabitats, which supports earlier findings. In heathland, microhabitat occupancy was positively affected by bryophyte and litter cover. In heath-grassland mosaic, microhabitat occupancy was also influenced by bryophyte and litter cover, but in addition low grass cover increased occupancy by favouring host plants. In grassland, only low grass cover and host plant cover determined microhabitat quality. Across all habitats, occupied microhabitats were characterized by lower vegetation as well as higher average daytime temperatures than unoccupied microhabitats. We discovered that wild boar play an important role in reducing grass cover by shallow rooting in grass patches, thereby increasing host plant availability. Hence, wild boar may have an added value in maintaining and restoring P. malvae microhabitats in grassland habitats in addition to grazing by domestic livestock.     

The Microhabitat Distribution of the Arkansas River Shiner, Notropis girardi: A Habitat-mosaic Approach

I evaluated the microhabitat distribution of the Arkansas River shiner, Notropis girardi, a candidate species for protection under the Endangered Species Act over a two-year period. Seasonal microhabitat samples were taken at three localities along the South Canadian River in central Oklahoma. The microhabitats sampled were defined subjectively based on structural and substrate characteristics: adjacent to stream banks, underwater sand ridges, or exposed sand islands, and within stream pools, midchannels, or backwaters. At each microhabitat, the following physicochemical measurements were made: depth, temperature, current speed, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH. Notropis girardi used many microhabitats and the patterns varied seasonally and ontogenetically. Contingency tests indicated that bank, island, and sandridge habitats had significantly more N. girardi than the others (p<0.01), whereas midchannel habitats were used significantly less often than other habitat types. A greater number of individuals were found in microhabitats defined by depths of 0–50cm and current speeds of 0–50cms^-1 although faster current speeds were used with high frequency. Selection of deeper water was only apparent during the summer. Juveniles selected shallow, slow flowing backwater habitat types more frequently than did adults. Habitats adjacent to underwater sand ridges were important to both adults and juveniles, but similar types such as islands and banks also were used. No single physicochemical feature was linked to high densities of this species. During its life cycle, N. girardi used most of the range of features encountered in the S. Canadian River; thus, maintenance of the riverine landscape (i.e. all of the attributes of rivers in the native range of N. girardi) will be necessary to ensure that this species has access to appropriate habitat types throughout its life cycle.