Microhabitat Preferences of a Small Mammal Assemblage in Canadian County, Oklahoma

Abstract

We  conducted a small mammal ecological study at John Nichols Scout Ranch in Southeastern Canadian County, Oklahoma, during the summers of 2013 and 2014. Microhabitat preferences of Peromyscus leucopus, P. maniculatus, Neotoma floridana, and Sigmodon hispidus were determined using species’ presence/absence and 60 habitat variables at 10 randomly selected plots. These data were subjected to principle components analysis and niche overlap. Peromyscus leucopus and N. floridana occupy similar woodland areas, featuring high degrees of litter and overhang canopy, as well as rocky outcrops. Peromyscus maniculatus was associated with areas of annual, barren, shrub, and tree coverage, with adjacent habitat heterogeneity—an edge. Sigmodon hispidus was found in open grasslands with homogeneous adjacent habitat. Peromyscus leucopus and N. floridana had the highest degree of niche overlap, while P. maniculatus had a smaller overlap with these species. Sigmodon hispidus had the lowest degree of niche overlap among all studied species, indicating high habitat specificity. ©2015 Oklahoma Academy of Science