Seasonal variations in microhabitat use and feeding habits of the pampas mouse Akodon azarae in agroecosystem of central Argentina

Bilenca, David; Kravetz, Fernando O.

doi:10.4098/at.arch.98-15

Cited by 47 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Crop field size varies between 4 and 25 hectares, and crop fields are usually separated by thin corridors along wire fences where a spontaneous and particular flora is present (Soriano et al, 1991), with both native and exotic plant species. This spontaneous community is also developed along roads, railways and riparian habitats and is less disturbed by agricultural labors and livestock than fields (Busch & Kravetz, 1992;Bilenca & Kravetz, 1998). The area also has small patches of woodlots, houses and poultry farms.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of Landscape Scale in the Distribution of Rodents in an Agroecosystem of Argentina

Fraschina¹,

León²,

Busch³

2014

JAS

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The goal of this study was to assess the effect of the different habitats on rodent diversity, and to estimate the effect of changes in land use on the rodent abundance through different possible scenarios. We sampled poultry farms, human houses, riparian habitats, railway embankments, woodlots, pasture, crop fields and their borders. The habitats with highest frequency of captures were poultry farms and crop field borders, mainly because of Mus musculus and Akodon azarae captures, respectively. All rodent species were found in at least six of the nine habitats sampled, but in some of them with low frequency. The different habitats differed in their contribution to the abundance of each species. Crop fields and pasture borders contributed more than 40% to the abundance of A. azarae, Oxymycterus rufus, Oligoryzomys flavescens and Calomys musculinus, while poultry farms had higher abundance of M. musculus. Woodlots and railway embankments showed a high contribution to O. flavescens abundance. The increase in the area covered by crop fields and human habitats led to an increase in the abundance of M. musculus and Calomys spp. and to a decrease in the relative abundance of other species. Considering the role of habitat diversity in rodent diversity, our results suggest that none of the species studied, except M. musculus, which is highly dependent on farms, depends on a single habitat and that their abundance is supported by a variety of less perturbed habitats. The current changes in land use would generate an increase in M. musculus abundance in detriment of wildlife species which are associated with undisturbed habitats.

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Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of Landscape Scale in the Distribution of Rodents in an Agroecosystem of Argentina

Fraschina¹,

León²,

Busch³

2014

JAS

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“…The numbers of the small vesper mouse (Calomys laucha), a generalist species, increased following changes in habitat [87]. Finally, invasive species including the house mouse (Mus musculus), black rat (Rattus rattus), and Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) predictably became more abundant during the transformation from native to agricultural habitats [87,88]. The observed changes in rodent community composition have been hypothesized to be driven by interspecific competition, in which dominant species such as A. azarae force others out into less suitable habitat (i.e.…”

Section: Community Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The observed changes in rodent community composition have been hypothesized to be driven by interspecific competition, in which dominant species such as A. azarae force others out into less suitable habitat (i.e. soy crop fields) through competitive exclusion of resources [88].…”

Section: Community Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

The ecological value of long-term studies of birds and mammals in Central America, South America and Antarctica

Taig-Johnston

Strom

Nowak

et al. 2017

Rev. Chil. de Hist. Nat.

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This review covers long-term ecological studies in Central America, South America, and Antarctica that include at least 10 years of data on both terrestrial and marine mammals as well as birds. Specifically, we compiled long-term research on social systems, population ecology, and community ecology. Long-term research is necessary to understand decadal trends and dynamics that would otherwise go unnoticed in short-term studies. This review highlights the impact of ecological conditions as well as territoriality and conflict on social organization and structure, the role that environmental perturbations and climate change have on populations, and how interaction between biotic and abiotic factors influence entire ecological communities. It especially highlights the need for additional long-term studies to assess climate change trends and the ecological changes that will follow.

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“…At times, agricultural fields may provide high food resources and shelters, but when plant cover is low, such as after harvest and ploughing, small rodents are exposed to a high risk of avian predation, both by diurnal predators such as falcons (Elanus leucurus) and by nocturnal species such as owls (Speotyto cunicularia, Asio flammeus, Tyto alba; Pardiñas and Cirignoli 2000). The exploitation of both cropfields and edges may increase rodent fitness, especially if the pattern of habitat use and movements can change in response to habitat variations (Busch and Kravetz 1992;Ellis et al 1997;Bilenca and Kravetz 1998).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These habitats vary seasonally in quality and quantity of resources, rodent population densities and habitat structure, both due to natural environmental variations and because of agricultural practices. Edge habitats are less disturbed than agricultural fields, maintaining high plant cover throughout the year, thereby providing good habitat conditions for small rodent species (Busch and Kravetz 1992;Ellis et al 1997;Bilenca and Kravetz 1998). At times, agricultural fields may provide high food resources and shelters, but when plant cover is low, such as after harvest and ploughing, small rodents are exposed to a high risk of avian predation, both by diurnal predators such as falcons (Elanus leucurus) and by nocturnal species such as owls (Speotyto cunicularia, Asio flammeus, Tyto alba; Pardiñas and Cirignoli 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Return to preferred habitats (edges) as a function of distance in Akodon azarae (Rodentia, Muridae) in cropfield-edge systems of central Argentina

Hodara

Busch

2005

J Ethol

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We studied the ability of Akodon azarae (Rodentia, Muridae) to return to their preferred habitat, when released at a perpendicular distance (25, 50 or 75 m) from the edge towards the cropfield, and a parallel distance (100 m) away from the site of first capture within the edge habitat. Return success was estimated as the proportion of animals recovered in edges. The recapture rate between the field and the border was significantly higher than the recapture rate estimated according to successive captures in the border. Successful returns did not decrease significantly with increasing release distance, but animals released at 50 m from edges were less successful in returning to borders than the other release-distance groups. Although the median time taken to the first recapture in edges did not differ among the release-distance groups, rodents released at 25 m and 50 m returned to edges faster than those released at 75 m. A. azarae showed both a successful return to the edge and a trend to return to the home range area. We conclude that A. azarae can return to edges from cropfields at distances that are larger than those they usually travel, allowing the use of fields when they present good conditions for reproduction and survival. Successful return is probably the result of direct movements rather than random wandering.

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Seasonal variations in microhabitat use and feeding habits of the pampas mouse Akodon azarae in agroecosystem of central Argentina

Cited by 47 publications

References 19 publications

Role of Landscape Scale in the Distribution of Rodents in an Agroecosystem of Argentina

Role of Landscape Scale in the Distribution of Rodents in an Agroecosystem of Argentina

The ecological value of long-term studies of birds and mammals in Central America, South America and Antarctica

Return to preferred habitats (edges) as a function of distance in Akodon azarae (Rodentia, Muridae) in cropfield-edge systems of central Argentina

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