For citation:
Tolkachev O. V., Maklakov K. V., Maklakov K. V., Kuvaeva E. I. Proposals for improving a non-invasive method for estimating abundance of mouse-like rodents and shrews in urban areas. Izvestiya of Saratov University. Chemistry. Biology. Ecology, 2024, vol. 24, iss. 1, pp. 51-57. DOI: 10.18500/1816-9775-2024-24-1-51-57, EDN: CKTYLC
Proposals for improving a non-invasive method for estimating abundance of mouse-like rodents and shrews in urban areas
Previously we proposed a new reconnaissance method for estimating the total abundance of small mammals in urban areas. The method includes placing plastic bottles with bait inside equal distances apart. In this research we examined two ways to improve the method: using bottles of smaller volume (0,25 liters instead of 0,5 liters) to increase the ergonomics and using opaque bottles to make them more attractive for animals. Bigger and smaller bottles with neck diameter of 38 mm were fastened in pairs which were set in a transect with a fi ve-meter spacing. The same was done with pairs of opaque and transparent bottles. A bait (rye bread with unrefi ned sunfl ower oil) was put into all the bottles. During the following days we recorded animals’ visits into the bottles. It was found out that there are no signifi cant diff erences in how often animals attend bottles of 0,25 liters and 0,5 liters, the same results were received for both transparent and opaque bottles. Thus, the simple method for estimating abundance of small mammals may be optimized by using smaller bottles, the colour of which is not important.
- Sikes R. S., Gannon W. L. Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the use of wild mammals in research // Journal of Mammalogy. 2011. № 92. P. 235–253.
- Sikes R. S., Bryan II J. A., Gannon L., Odell K., Tracy A. Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the use of wild mammals in research // Journal of Mammalogy. 2016. Vol. 97, № 3. P. 663–688. https://doi. org/10.1093/jmammal/ gyw078
- Kalinin A. A. The consequences of small mammal censuses by method of irreversible removal // Russ. J. Ecol. 2019. Vol. 50, № 3. P. 262–267.
- Kalinin A. A., Aleksandrov D. Y., Kupriyanova I. F. Contributions of resident populations and nonresident activities of small mammals to the results of censuses performed using the permanent removal method // Contemporary Problems of Ecology. 2020. Vol. 13, № 2. P. 184–192.
- DeSa M. A., Zweig C. L., Franklin H. P., Kitchens W. M., Kasbohm J. W. Comparison of small-mammal sampling techniques in tidal salt marshes of the central gulf coast of Florida // Southeastern Naturalist. 2012. Vol. 11, № 1. P. 89–100. https://doi.org/10. 1656/058.011.0109
- Hamm K. A., Diller L. V., Kitchen D. W. Comparison of indices to estimate abundance of dusky-footed woodrats // Wildlife Society Bulletin. 2002. Vol. 30, № 1. P. 64–70. https://doi.org/10.2307/3784636
- Aplin K. P., Brown P. R., Jacob J., Krebs C. J., Singleton G. R. Field methods for rodent studies in Asia and the Indo-Pacifi c. Canberra, ACIAR Monograph, 2003. № 100. 223 p.
- Карасева Е. В., Телицына А. Ю., Жигальский О. А. Методы изучения грызунов в полевых условиях. М. : Издательство ЛКИ, 2008. 416 с.
- Bean W. T., Stafford R., Prugh L. R., Butterfi eld H. S., Brashares J. S. An evaluation of monitoring methods for the endangered giant kangaroo rat // Wildlife Society Bulletin. 2012. Vol. 36, № 3. P. 587–593. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.171
- Blackwell G. L., Potter M. A., McLennan J. A. Rodent density indices from tracking tunnels, snap-traps and Fenn traps: Do they tell the same story? // New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 2002. Vol. 26, № 1. P. 43–51.
- Nams V. O., Gillis E. A. Changes in tracking tube use by small mammals over time // Journal of Mammalogy. 2003. Vol. 84, № 4. P. 1374–1380. https://doi.org/10. 1644/BEH-001
- De Bondi N., White J. G., Stevens M., Cooke R. A comparison of the effectiveness of camera trapping and live trapping for sampling terrestrial small-mammal communities // Wildlife Research. 2010. № 37. P. 456–465. https://doi.org/10.1071/ WR10046
- Clarin B. M., Bitzilekis E., Siemers B. M., Goerlitz H. R. Personal messages reduce vandalism and theft of unattended scientifi c equipment // Methods in Ecology and Evolution. 2014. № 5. P. 125–131. https://doi. org/10.1111/2041-210X.12132
- Tolkachev O. V., Malkova E. A., Maklakov K. V. A Reconnaissance method for small mammal abundance assessment in urban environments // Russ. J. Ecol. 2021. № 52. P. 329–339. https://doi.org/10.1134/S106741362104010X
- Ердаков Л. Н., Николаев А. С., Фолитарек С. С. Активность и миграции // Водяная полевка: Образ вида. М. : Наука, 2001. С. 290–305.
- Фолитарек С. С., Максимов А. А. Сезонные кочевки, подвижность и активность водяной крысы // Водяная крыса и борьба с ней в западной Сибири. Новосибирск : Новосибирское кн. изд-во, 1959. 476 с.
- Öberg M. The use of tracking tunnels to monitor the activity of small mammals in habitats associated with the northern wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe). Master Thesis. Uppsala: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2009. 35 р.
- Gillies C. A., Williams D. DOC tracking tunnel guide v2.5.2: Using tracking tunnels to monitor rodents and mustelids. Hamilton, Department of Conservation, Science & Capability Group. 2013. 14 р.
- Ruffell J., Innes J., Didham R. K. Effi cacy of chew-trackcard indices of rat and possum abundance across widely varying pest densities // New Zealand Journal of Ecology. 2015. Vol. 39, № 1. P. 87–92.
- Cooper A., Kelly C. L., King C. M., Miller S. D., Patty B. Do rats mind getting their feet dirty? Observing the behaviour of ship rats (Rattus rattus) towards footprint tracking tunnels // New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 2017. Vol. 45, № 1. P. 61–72. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 03014223.2017.1361455