| Title | Interactions in microhabitat use between Dipodomys ordii and Onychomys leucogaster |
| Publication Type | Thesis |
| Year of Publication | 1980 |
| Authors | Rebar C |
| Number of Pages | 41 |
| Date Published | 1980 |
| University | New Mexico State University |
| City | Las Cruces, New Mexico |
| Thesis Type | M.S. Thesispp |
| Call Number | 00264 |
| Keywords | community structure, microhabitat shifts, competition,rodents, Dipodomys, dissertation, dissertations, enclosure experiment, history,enclosure, Onychomys, rodent, Dipodomys, rodent,microhabitat shifts, rodent,Onychomys, theses, thesis |
| Abstract | Hypotheses attempting to explain structure in desert rodent communities have emerged primarily from studies dealing with heteromyid interactions. Little attention has been given to the cricetid elements in the community despite their typically high densities and year-round activity in close association with heteromyid species. This study extends the understanding of desert rodent community dynamics by examining interactions in microhabitat use between Dipodomys ordii (Heteromyidae) and Onychomys leucogaster (Cricetidae). Research was designed to test the hypothesis: In a 2-species (experimental) enclosure, microhabitat use by each species will not differ from that in 1-species (control) enclosures. Results indicate that D. ordii shifts microhabitat use when co-occurring with O. leucogaster, while the reverse does not occur. This outcome shows that interactions are operating between these 2 species. Further, studies aimed at determining structure and elucidating patterns in desert rodent communities may be lacking information on significant nonheteromyid elements of the community. |
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Science-based management strategies for sustainability of agriculture and other land uses
