Title

Dispersion And Habitat Occupancy Of The Beach Mouse, Peromyscus Polionotus Niveiventris

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Mammal.

Keywords

Zoology

Abstract

Dispersion and intragrid movements of Peromyscus polionotus were studied in coastal dune vegetation on Merritt Island, Florida, USA. Three contiguous zones of vegetation ran parallel with the beach and dune lines. Zone 1 was seaward and supported sea oats, Uniola paniculata. Zone 2 was characterized by clumps of palmetto, Serenoa repens, and sea grape, Coccoloba uvifera, and expanses of open sand. Zone 3 was interior and consisted of dense scrub dominated by palmetto, sea grape, and wax myrtle, Myrica cerifera. The ranking of the zones in terms of observed first captures was zone 1 > 3 ≥ 2, whereas for recaptures it was zone 2 > 3 > 1. A reasonable explanation for the discrepancy between the distributions of first captures and recaptures among zones was a net movement of individuals from zone 1 to zones 2 and 3. The distribution of first-captures among the zones was not significantly different during the stable, exponential, and peak phases of population growth; however, significantly (P < 0.05) more first captures were from zone 1 during the decline phase. Average recapture density was greater in zones 2 and 3 than in zone 1 during all phases of population change. Most of the movement of animals from zone 1 to zones 2 and 3 occurred during the periods of stable low densities and exponential population growth. The overall pattern of habitat occupancy seems to have been one in which the preferred habitat (zones 2 and 3) filled first, with the marginal area (zone 1) filling more slowly and even contributing individuals to the preferred sites. At peak and declining densities, the preferred habitat no longer received individuals from the marginal area.

Journal Title

Journal of Mammalogy

Volume

68

Issue/Number

2

Publication Date

1-1-1987

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

297

Last Page

304

WOS Identifier

WOS:A1987H561100009

ISSN

0022-2372

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