Palmer, R. R. and J. L. Koprowski. 2015. How do Neotropical pygmy squirrels (Sciurillus pusillus) use seasonally flooded forest in the Peruvian Amazon? Journal of Mammalogy DOI:10.1093/jmammal/gyv138.

thackerk1 — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:20:30 +0000

Authors

Rosa R. Palmer

John L. Koprowski

Tree squirrels are important components of ecosystems but to understand their role, we must learn how squirrels select and use habitat. Tree squirrel species richness is highest in the tropics and, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is also where the greatest number of data deficient species occurs. The Neotropical pygmy squirrel (Sciurillus pusillus) is one of these species. In 2009 and 2010, we conducted distance sampling to estimate population density, we measured vegetation variables to investigate forest characteristics that influence habitat selection at 3 different scales, and conducted observations to obtain knowledge about activity patterns and behavior of Neotropical pygmy squirrels in igapó forest in the Peruvian Amazon. Density of squirrels was 0.10 and 0.14 individuals/ha, respectively, for each year. Squirrel activity peaked at 0800h, individuals were found mainly in the canopy and never on the ground, and frequency of squirrel behaviors differed by time and story level. Squirrels mainly used high and low restinga and areas that had more trees that were ≥ 30 cm diameter at breast height (DBH)/ha compared to random areas in our site in igapó forest. Squirrels used trees that were larger in DBH, taller, and had a larger live crown compared to random trees. Neotropical pygmy squirrels are associated with features related to mature forests.

Additional Information

How do Neotropical pygmy squirrels (Sciurillus pusillus) use seasonally flooded forests in the Peruvian Amazon?

Date of publication:

2015

Topics

activity pattern

population density

rainforest

tree squirrel

tropical forest

Neotropical pygmy squirrel

Influence of time and flood on diurnal mammal diversity and story level use in Igapó forest in the Peruvian Amazon.

thackerk1 — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 22:10:48 +0000

Authors

Rosa R. Palmer

John L. Koprowski

Rainforests support the highest biodiversity on Earth but are one of the most threatened ecosystems due to forest destruction and predicted effects of climate change. Mammals are an important component of rainforest ecosystems, and mammal diversity cannot be explained by forest type alone, but also by considering vertical stratification of the forest. We conducted surveys during a wet year and a dry year to estimate diversity of diurnal mammals that inhabit seasonally flooded forest in the Peruvian Amazon. We considered the vertical stratification of the forest to assess whether diversity varied by story level, and estimated alpha, beta, and gamma diversity. Mammal diversity did not differ between wet and dry years, although species richness was marginally higher in the wet year and evenness slightly low in both years. Mammal diversity differed by story level between years, but was the highest in the canopy in each year. Alpha diversity was higher in the dry year compared to the wet, and beta and gamma diversity were higher in the wet compared to the dry year. During the wet and dry year, the frequency of sightings of species was influenced by time of day and varied by story level. Protection of continuous, mature forests with large canopies has important conservation implications as these areas most likely protect the greatest diversity of mammals, while also providing shelter and food for other taxa.