Baseline Herpetological Data Collection Efforts in Mendocino County

According to the competition theory, species that occur sympatrically and use the same resources cannot coexist. However, to avoid this they may partition resources by space, diet, or time. Two separate studies were performed to test whether members of a diverse rodent community in a tropical sub-deciduous forest site were dividing themselves in their activity patterns. One study placed Sherman live-traps along several transects. These traps were checked every 2 hr, from 1900 hr to 0900 hr, and captured individuals were marked and recorded. We found that Oryzomys cousei, Liomys irroratus, Peromyscus levipes, and Sigmodon hispidus all have different times of activity. The results for other captured species (P. leucopus, P. pectoralis, O. rostratus, and Baiomys taylori) were inconclusive due to small sample sizes. Further analysis will elucidate patterns of activity and divisions between species. The companion study was initiated to determine if there was a vertical aspect to the habitat use by rodents. Tracking tubes were placed in trees and on the ground at 120 different stations, on 3 different transects. Each station was run for no less that 5 days with tubes, and they were subsequently replaced with Sherman traps. The traps were checked and baited once daily for 5 days. The captures were recorded and marked. Results show a high presence of canopy activity. Species and habitat conclusions will be drawn after data analysis.