Distribution of Notiosorex crawfordi and Sorex arizonae along an Elevational Gradient

Simons, Lee H.; Szaro, Robert C.; Belfit, Scott C.

doi:10.2307/1381804

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Precipitation during the previous 10‐day trapping period had a lesser but significant effect on the number of captures of this species. Environmental moisture has been found to be one of the primary factors determining the local abundance and diversity of shrews (Getz 1961; Coulombe & Banta 1964; Simons et al . 1990; however, Neet & Hausser 1990), and rainfall has also been shown to increase the activity and widespread movement of shrews (Doucet & Bider 1974; Pankakoski 1979).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Notiosorex crawfordi has been reported to be more social than other shrews and to live in high densities on small areas (Hoffmeister & Goodpaster 1962). Most ecological studies of this species have been carried out outside California (Armstrong & Jones 1972; Simons, Szaro & Belfit 1990), or are based on studies of relatively few individuals (Fisher 1941; Cunningham 1956; Coulombe & Banta 1964).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of land cover, habitat fragmentation and ant colonies on the distribution and abundance of shrews in southern California

Laakkonen

Fisher

Case

2001

Journal of Animal Ecology

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Summary1. Because effects of habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbance on native animals have been relatively little studied in arid areas and in insectivores, we investigated the roles of different land covers, habitat fragmentation and ant colonies on the distribution and abundance of shrews, Notiosorex crawfordi and Sorex ornatus , in southern California. 2. Notiosorex crawfordi was the numerically dominant species (trap-success rate 0·52) occurring in 21 of the 22 study sites in 85% of the 286 pitfall arrays used in this study. Sorex ornatus was captured in 14 of the sites, in 52% of the arrays with a total trap-success rate of 0·2. Neither of the species was found in one of the sites. 3. The population dynamics of the two shrew species were relatively synchronous during the 4-5-year study; the peak densities usually occurred during the spring. Precipitation had a significant positive effect, and maximum temperature a significant negative effect on the trap-success rate of S. ornatus . 4. Occurrence and abundance of shrews varied significantly between sites and years but the size of the landscape or the study site had no effect on the abundance of shrews. The amount of urban edge had no significant effect on the captures of shrews but increased edge allows invasion of the Argentine ants, which had a highly significant negative impact on the abundance of N. crawfordi . 5. At the trap array level, the percentage of coastal sage scrub flora had a significant positive, and the percentage of other flora had a significant negative effect on the abundance of N. crawfordi . The mean canopy height and the abundance of N. crawfordi had a significant positive effect on the occurrence of S. ornatus . 6. Our study suggests that the loss of native coastal sage scrub flora and increasing presence of Argentine ant colonies may significantly effect the distribution and abundance of N. crawfordi . The very low overall population densities of both shrew species in most study sites make both species susceptible to extinction in isolated habitat fragments due to environmental stochasticity, and anthropogenic disturbance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of land cover, habitat fragmentation and ant colonies on the distribution and abundance of shrews in southern California

Laakkonen

Fisher

Case

2001

Journal of Animal Ecology

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“…In Arizona, HofFmeister and Goodpaster ( 1962) observed nests of N. crawfordi under wooden planks, piles of roofing material, decaying plant material, and in abandoned rodent burrows, while Simons et al (1990) found nests constructed under dead plants of the genus…”

Section: Mammalia I 67 η 4 · 2003mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hoffmeister and Coodpaster (1962) reported on field observations and life history data collected from 20 animals in captivity, the largest sample at that time. More recently, Simons et al (1990) described the distribution of N. crawfordi along an altitudinal gradient in southern Arizona based on a sample of 161 individuals. However, these authors did not investigate the ecology, behavior, or life history traits of this shrew.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural history and ecology of the Desert Shrew, Notiosorex crawfordi from the Northern Chihuahuan Desert, whith notes on captive breeding

Punzo

2003

Mammalia

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Field and laboratory studies were conducted on the desert shrew, Notiosorex crawfordi, from Big Bend National Park (BBNP) located in the northern region of the Chihuahuan Desert. This shrew is strongly nocturnal, and feeds primarily on a wide variety of arthropods. The most frequently occurring prey items analysed from stomach contents were spiders, beetles, grasshoppers, termites, and hemipterans. A small amount of vertebrate material was also found in its stomach contents. This represents the first detailed study on the diet composition of this species. Nests were constructed from dead leaves and grasses and 77.7 % of them were found under decaying yucca and agave plants ; the remainder were located either in depressions under rocks or inside a dead oak stump. Between 70-81 % of the shrews sampled were adults, and the rest juveniles. The sex ratio of males : females was 1.08 : 1. In captivity, 20 pairs of males and females produced one litter with an average litter size of 2.9.Four females produced a second litter with an average size of 1.5. The average longevity of male and female shrews was 1 1.8 and 13.3 months, respectively.The gestation period ranged from 19-22 days. Age at sexual maturity occurred between 43-46 days for males, and 42-44 days for females.

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“…Loma. There is little information on factors associated with N. crawfordi captures elsewhere; however, a study conducted along an elevational gradient in southern Arizona (Simons et al 1990) showed that captures of N. crawfordi correlated both spatially (vegetation type) and temporally (rainfall) with decreased aridity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing the variation in capture rates of shrews in southern California, USA

2003

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Distribution of Notiosorex crawfordi and Sorex arizonae along an Elevational Gradient

Cited by 5 publications

References 8 publications

Effect of land cover, habitat fragmentation and ant colonies on the distribution and abundance of shrews in southern California

Effect of land cover, habitat fragmentation and ant colonies on the distribution and abundance of shrews in southern California

Natural history and ecology of the Desert Shrew, Notiosorex crawfordi from the Northern Chihuahuan Desert, whith notes on captive breeding

Factors influencing the variation in capture rates of shrews in southern California, USA

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