Comparison of Small-Mammal Sampling Techniques in Tidal Salt Marshes of the Central Gulf Coast of Florida

DeSa, Melissa A.; Zweig, Christa L.; Percival, H. Franklin; Kitchens, Wiley M.; Kasbohm, John W.

doi:10.1656/058.011.0118

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 25 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Furthermore, they have not been tested against presence and absence of the species, but see Balestrieri et al (2016) for a quantitative approach. A technique not yet tested with coypu, but widely used to detect many other mammal species (Zielinski and Truex, 1995;Gillies et al, 2003;Connors et al, 2005;DeSa et al, 2012), is the use of tracking plates: plates covered by a plastic medium used to detect the footprints of animals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the effectiveness of footprint platforms to detect invasive mammals: coypu (Myocastor coypus) as a case study

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Effective and easy-to-apply monitoring techniques are necessary to detect alien species at their first stage of invasion, allowing rapid removal or delimitation of the invaded range for eradication or routine control actions. Monitoring tools should be effective in detecting the target species, reduce false absences and allow an early detection. The coypu (Myocastor coypus), is a large semi-aquatic rodent native to subtropical and temperate South America, introduced all over the world for its valuable fur. We tested tracking plates in the framework of a coypu occupancy study in order to take into account false absences and define a standardized monitoring protocol for the species with a limited engagement of staff. We set 60 tracking plates in linear transects along artificial waterbodies within the rice district in northwestern Italy and checked them for six consecutive days. For the analyses we fitted single-season occupancy models to our detection history data. We detected coypu presence at least once in 29 out of the 60 investigated transects (48%). When modelling occupancy and detection probability constant in time and space, the estimate Ψ was 0.48 and detection probability p was 0.60. A minimum of four consecutive visits to the transects provided reliable detection. Coypu's probability of presence was significantly driven by the amount of surface covered by rice plantations around the investigated water courses. The proposed method may function as a tool for the rapid detection of coypu on large scale monitoring projects and in case of new colonization, and as a basis for subsequent prompt control actions.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the effectiveness of footprint platforms to detect invasive mammals: coypu (Myocastor coypus) as a case study

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Attending to all these constraints, and adding to the logistics and costs associated with trapping schemes, non-invasive approaches are increasingly investigated and applied (De Bondi et al, 2010;DeSa et al, 2012;Torre et al, 2013). When studies seek to examine aspects of assemblage composition, the most common non-invasive methods have long been the analysis of owl pellets, particularly from widespread and common species, such as Tyto alba (Torre et al, 2004, Rocha et al, 2011 and Strix aluco (Balčiauskienė, 2005;Petty, 1999), due to their generalist diets and close foraging ranges (Torre et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clear as daylight: analysis of diurnal raptor pellets for small mammal studies

Matos¹,

Alves

Pereira³

et al. 2015

Anim. Biodiv. Conserv.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Non–invasive approaches are increasingly investigated and applied in studies of small mammal assemblages because they are more cost–effective and bypass conservation and animal welfare issues. However, pellets of diurnal raptors have rarely been used for these purposes. We evaluated the potential of marsh harrier pellets (Circus aeruginosus) as a non–invasive method to sample small mammal assemblages, by comparing the results with those of sampling using Sherman live–traps and pitfalls. The three methods were applied simultaneously in an agricultural–wetland complex in NW Portugal. Estimates of species richness, diversity, evenness, abundance, and proportion of each species within the assemblage showed significant differences between the three methods. Our results suggest that the use of marsh harrier pellets is more effective in inventorying small mammal species than either of the two kinds of traps, while also avoiding any involuntary fatalities associated with the sampling of small non–volant mammals. Moreover, the analysis of pellets was the most cost–effective method. Comparison of the two trapping methodologies showed involuntary fatalities were higher in pitfalls than in Sherman traps. We discuss the advantages and flaws of the three methods, both from technical and conservational perspectives.

show abstract

“…Passive methods for detecting small mammals, including the use of cameras (Osterberg ) and track pads (Drennan et al , Stanley and Royle ), are less common than live‐trapping. The utility of track pads is limited because it can be difficult to distinguish between some species, environmental damage to pads (e.g., rainfall, dust), and non‐target tracks (Glennon et al , DeSa et al ). Alternatively, camera traps have enhanced our knowledge of animal distributions, activity patterns, and behaviors, particularly as statistical methods are developed to deal with this type of data (Karanth and Nichols ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alternatively, camera traps have enhanced our knowledge of animal distributions, activity patterns, and behaviors, particularly as statistical methods are developed to deal with this type of data (Karanth and Nichols ). Nonetheless, cameras are rarely used for small mammal research (De Bondi et al ), likely because of the difficulty distinguishing among similar small mammal species (DeSa et al ). Other constraints of camera‐trapping for all wildlife include: disturbances of target animals from flash photography, constraints of using cameras in variable environments (hot, humid, freezing, etc.)…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel method for camera-trapping small mammals

et al. 2014

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Camera traps have increased our knowledge of animal distribution, activity, and behavior, but they are rarely used for small mammal research. This is likely because there are few techniques to that allow for species identification, reduce disturbance of bait from non‐target animals (e.g., raccoon [Procyon lotor]), and that can be used in all environments. In this paper we present a small mammal camera‐trapping methodology, the Hunt trap, which was designed to 1) work in tidal environments, 2) eliminate capture myopathy, 3) allow for successful identification of small mammal species, and 4) allow for continued trapping after disturbance by non‐target species. We tested the Hunt trap in the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, USA, during February 2012 to February 2013. Live traps are still the best option when individuals must be physically captured for marking, radiotagging, demographic studies, or physiological assessments. However, if such data are not required, the Hunt trap design is an excellent technique to monitor species diversity, community composition, habitat selection, and distribution with efficiency and minimal effort. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

show abstract

Comparison of Small-Mammal Sampling Techniques in Tidal Salt Marshes of the Central Gulf Coast of Florida

Cited by 10 publications

References 25 publications

Evaluating the effectiveness of footprint platforms to detect invasive mammals: coypu (Myocastor coypus) as a case study

Evaluating the effectiveness of footprint platforms to detect invasive mammals: coypu (Myocastor coypus) as a case study

Clear as daylight: analysis of diurnal raptor pellets for small mammal studies

A novel method for camera-trapping small mammals

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About