A methodological approach to assess the small mammal community diversity in the temperate rainforest of Patagonia

摘要: Assessing small mammal diversity is a common procedure, which usually employs widespread standard techniques, for gathering information wide range of studies. Traditional methods, however, may be biased against capturing arboreal marsupials, such as Dromiciops gliroides, an endemic marsupial currently considered rare species in the Patagonian temperate rainforest due to low abundances reported previously. I tested new methodology assess old-growth forest Patagonia, based on randomized and balanced design, incorporated combination different trap types, bait placement heights. The proposed included four types (two live-capturing: wire-mesh Sherman traps, two sign-recording traps tracks hair), (banana rolled oats), placements (ground level 1.5–2.5 m above ground). Trap type, height all had significantly effects detecting rodents or marsupials; environmental variables at location also affected ability detect marsupials. methods used sampling mammals performed well but are not effective marsupials vice versa, showing species-specific protocols. There no single trap-bait-height capable entire community, most protocol guarantee better results.