Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 1983

Publication Title

Virginia Journal of Science

Volume

34

Issue

1

Pages

14-28

Abstract

Diversity and density of small rodents in the Dismal Swamp are believed to be low. Reasons for this may be excessive predation, heavy interspecific pressure from large rodents, lack of suitable habitat, low food availability or flooding.

Rodent populations were evaluated using live-traps and pitfall traps in four different Dismal Swamp plant communities. Habitat was compared on the basis of phytomass studies previously reported. Flood levels were recorded during live-trapping sessions. Mast from trees was collected in modified mast collectors, and fed to Peromyscus leucopus in the laboratory.

Only two small rodent species were captured: Ochrotomys nuttalli and Peromyscus leucopus. The low density of these animals is believed to be limited by lack of food combined with unsuitable habitat. Flooding appears to have great effect on small rodent diversity by preventing the establishment of species that are not at least mediocre swimmers and somewhat arboreal.

Comments

This reference was downloaded from the Biodiversity Heritage Library, which hosts volumes of the Virginia Journal of Science (VJS) earlier than Volume 50, 1999. ODU Digital Commons hosts VJS volumes 50 through the present, available here: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/vjs/.

Rights

Article is open access under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-SA) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/).

Original Publication Citation

Breidling, F. E., Day, F. P., Jr., & Rose, R. K. (1983). An evaluation of small rodents in four Dismal Swamp plant communities. Virginia Journal of Science, 34(1), 14-28. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/248610#page/20/mode/1up

ORCID

0000-0001-9341-1615 (Rose)

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