Social Organization of Neotoma micropus, the Southern Plains Woodrat

Abstract

ABSTRACT.-This study described the social organization of Neotoma micropus, the southern plains woodrat, using radiotelemetry. We studied woodrats from September 1994 through April 1995 at the Urban Wilderness Reserve in S Bexar County, Texas. Sixteen individuals (three adult males, 11 adult females, and two subadult males) were radiocollared and located in the evening or early morning duringJanuary and February. Seventy-four percent of female radiolocations and 57% of male radiolocations were from their respective nests. No more than one adult individual was observed at any nest at the same time. Males had significantly larger (x = 1899 m2) home ranges than females (x = 220 m2). Male home ranges overlapped female home ranges more (35.9%) than female ranges overlapped other female home ranges (11.9%). Survival rates were similar for males and females. The results confirm previous studies indicating that these woodrats are asocial. The spacing of male and female home ranges indicated that these woodrats probably have a promiscuous mating system.

Temporal and spatial distribution of Leishmania mexicana infections in a population of Neotoma micropus

“…A recapture rate of 44.7% for all areas in our study was much lower than the 72.2% recapture of Conditt and Ribble (1997), but their study covered fewer nests and they trapped more intensively over a shorter period of time resulting in a trapping effort per nest about 2.5 times that in our study. Additionally, they used radio collars to help track individuals.…”

“…Because of the extensive nature of their study, however, sampling efforts at each site were limited and temporally intermittent. Johnson (1952), Box (1959), Raun (1966) and Conditt and Ribble (1997) documented various aspects of the population ecology of N. micropus, including parasites and nest associates, of woodrats in south Texas, but none screened for infections with L. mexicana. Merkelz and Kerr (2002) investigated a population of woodrats in Texas for 20 months, screening all captures for Leishmania each season.…”

A metapopulation model for sylvatic <em> T. cruzi</em> transmission with vector migration

“…Conditt and Ribble [13] estimate a range of 1.6-5.8 wr/ha (average 3.7 wr/ha) in Bexar Co located in South Texas. The study was done on a 10 ha area of land with 4 ha dominated by honey mesquite-brush and prickly pear cactus, while the remaining 6 ha dominated by riparian lowland forests.…”

A Molecular Examination of Relatedness, Multiple Paternity, and Cohabitation of the Southern Plains Woodrat (Neotoma Micropus)

“…The southern plains woodrat ( Neotoma micropus ) has been characterized as solitary, asocial (Conditt and Ribble 1997; Johnson 1952; Raun 1966), and promiscuous, although it was noted that the mating system could range from polygyny to promiscuity (Conditt and Ribble 1997). Woodrats are known for their conspicuous aboveground nests or middens (Birney 1973; Raun 1966) and long-term occupation of these sites (Matocq and Lacey 2004).…”

“…Middens can be located easily, providing an efficient method for capturing individuals. Additionally, numerous studies documenting natural history attributes of N. micropus are available (Birney 1973; Conditt and Ribble 1997; Finley 1958; Henke and Smith 2000; Johnson 1952; Merkelz and Kerr 2002; Raun 1966; Suchecki et al 2004; Thies and Caire 1990, 1991), as well as studies regarding population genetic data (Mendez-Harclerode et al 2005, 2007). These characteristics make the southern plains woodrat an excellent model for studies of mating strategies and social structure.…”