The rodents diversity Diversity and relative abundance of rodent species in three habitat conditions in the Western Potosi Altiplano, Mexico Rodents in the Altiplano Potosino Oeste

Abstract

Objetive: To evaluate species diversity and abundance of rodents, as well as vegetation cover, in three habitat conditions in the Altiplano Potosino Oeste.

Design/methodology/approach:

The work was carried out in eight sites with good (3), fair (2) and poor (3) vegetation cover conditions. For vegetation, frequency, basal and aerial cover data were collected in three plot sizes; for arborescents 20X20 m, shrubs 3 of 5X5 m and herbaceous in 2 of 1X1m. Three sampling nets with 100 Sherman traps were used to collect rodent data. Rodent species richness was determined using the Shannon-Whinner index and abundance using the Relative Density Index. Differences were analyzed by ANOVA.

Results: Grass cover decreased with condition, but shrub cover did not. The overall richness was 21 rodent species (16 in fair, 15 in good and 14 in poor condition). The total IS-W and IDR) decreased with condition. The most abundant and best scattered species were Dipodomys ornatus, D. merriami and Chaetodipus nelsoni.

Limitations/implications: The study was conducted in the most restrictive season and under drought conditions, which had consequences for cattle, but not for rodents. However, although their plasticity maintained relatively stable RDI values, the indices decreased with the condition.

Findings/conclutions: Despite the habitat conditions, we found a greater diversity and abundance of rodents than reported in the literature. Therefore, it is recommended that further studies of this nature be conducted using rodents as bioindicators.