Seasonal Variation in a Small-Mammal Assemblage in a Priority Site for Conservation in South- Central Chile

Abstract

Diversity of rodents were compared in a priority site of conservation in southern-central Chile through two seasons (winter and spring). Through the use of Sherman traps, the richness and abundance of species present in both the priority site (native forest) and its adjacent habitat (commercial plantation of Eucalyptus globulus) was assessed. There were significant differences in terms of diversity between both habitats, the composition was significant only for the case of the native forest; however, the seasonal effect was only significant in this same habitat. The ecological aspects linked in this pattern are discussed, which involved both the particularities of the recorded species and the microhabitat.

Keywords

• forest, seasonality, trophic guild, plantation, vegetation cover.