Forage-Area Separation and Overlap in Heteromyid Rodents

摘要: Forage-area separation and overlap of four species seed-eating desert rodents were measured by placing seed dyed colors in microhabitats allowing the to forage ingest seed. The delineated as follows: (1) areas lacking vegetation; (2) containing small scattered bushes .5 m tall across; (3) clumped .1 across 1 tall; (4) large greater than across. Rodents live-trapped their feces collected analyzed for color, which would indicate area each species. Results these experiments demonstrated that Dipodomys merriami foraged vegetation, Perognathus amplus among P. baileyi vegetation bushes, penicillatus under bushes. A population D. was perturbed significantly shifted its pattern open microhabitat. Thus, affected habitat selected . Preliminary analysis captures heteromyids on sandy or gravelly substrate indicated prefers soils may exclude from this substrate. Habitat selection found be an important factor coexistence species, with interspecific interactions partially influencing selected.