A first view of the unseen: nests of an endangered Atlantic Forest rat species

Autor(es)

Bovendorp, Ricardo S. ; Laskowski, Jessica A. ; Percequillo, Alexandre R.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: MAMMALIA; v. 81, n. 2, p. 203-206, MAR 2017.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

For the first time, we observed and photographed nests of the elusive and endangered Russet rice rat, Euryoryzomys russatus. Sensitive to deforestation, the Russet rice rat is restricted to areas of contiguous Atlantic Forest in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. All five nests that we found were located at the base of endangered tree species, suggesting that loss of nesting habitat in deforested areas might contribute to population declines. We also observed litter size, antagonistic behavior and behavior suggestive of monogamy, rare in small mammals. Our discoveries open new questions about Russet rice rat ecology; questions that will likely help us to better understand why they're more sensitive to deforestation than other closely related species. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/16009-1 - Sistemática, evolução e diversificação da subfamília Sigmodontinae na América do Sul: a tribo Oryzomyini
• Beneficiário: Alexandre Reis Percequillo
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Jovens Pesquisadores
• Processo FAPESP: 08/55483-8 - História natural e ecologia de duas espécies de roedores simpátricas da Oryzomyini (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) na Floresta Atlântica
• Beneficiário: Ricardo Siqueira Bovendorp
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado Direto